🇦🇺 Hobart, Australia
Motel 429
📍 429 Sandy Bay Road, Sandy Bay, 7005
Photo: official website
Your stay — Motel 429
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Hobart.
The Property — Motel 429
Motel 429 is a straightforward, no-fuss motel on Hobart’s busy northern approach. The lobby smells faintly of disinfectant and has a laminated poster of kunanyi/Mt Wellington behind the check-in desk. It suits budget-conscious drivers who need a clean room, parking, and a decent breakfast before heading into the city. There are no frills, but the beds are firm and the showers run hot.
Chronicles of Hobart
Hobart began in 1804 as a penal settlement on the Derwent estuary, making it Australia’s second-oldest capital. Georgian and Victorian sandstone warehouses along Sullivan’s Cove still reflect the whaling and trading boom of the 19th century. The city declined through much of the 1900s but revived with the 1990s MONA effect, turning its gritty waterfront into a gallery-and-craft-beer hub. Today, Hobart balances a quiet provincial pace with a sharp cultural edge, drawing visitors to its markets, mountain trails, and dark-sky initiatives.
Best Time to Visit
Full Hobart guide →Best months
December, January, February – summer offers 15–22°C days, long evenings, and the famous Saturday Salamanca Market, though crowds peak.
Peak / festival surge
January is peak, driven by summer holidays, the Taste of Tasmania festival, and the Sydney–Hobart yacht finish. Hotel prices can double; book six months ahead.
Budget shoulder season
March and October are ideal for discounts: March has mild autumn (12–18°C) and fewer tourists; October brings spring blossoms and cheaper rates before the summer rush.
Weather & packing
Hobart can swing from 5°C to 22°C in a single day, and the 'real feel' drops sharply with the ‘Fremantle Doctor’ sea breeze. Pack a waterproof shell, a mid-layer fleece, and – critically – trousers you can wear in both sun and drizzle.
Live City Briefing — Hobart
- Hobart’s new Macquarie Point multi-use stadium broke ground in May 2025, causing temporary detours on the eastern waterfront until late 2026.
- The kunanyi/Mt Wellington Pinnacle Road is now open to private vehicles as of January 2026 after the summer fire ban lifts; check the Hobart City Council site for daily closures.
- Salamanca Market will run as usual on 4 July 2026 (winter edition) with limited stall numbers – expect fewer crowds but bring cash, as some stalls lose card signal.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Motel 429, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the first floor or higher, facing away from Sandy Bay Road (the rear side). These rooms get less road noise and more privacy from the street.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms, especially those facing Sandy Bay Road. They suffer from direct street noise, passing traffic, and lack of privacy.
Best views
Rear-facing rooms on upper floors overlook nearby residential area and Mount Wellington in the distance, instead of the main road. Front rooms face Sandy Bay Road and traffic.
Quietest floors
First floor and above, rear-facing rooms offer the quietest stay.
🔊 Noise notes
Sandy Bay Road is a main artery with consistent traffic, including buses and trucks. Ground-floor rooms near the road pick up engine hum, tyre noise, and occasional loud exhausts. There's also some noise from nearby commercial units.
Insider tips
1. Parking is on-site and free — good for a 3-star in Hobart. Arrive early to secure a spot close to the rear entrance, which is quieter. 2. Request a room away from the ice machine and vending area (usually near the lobby) if you want uninterrupted sleep — these machines hum all night.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Motel 429
Free standard-speed Wi-Fi for all guests (approx 15 Mbps); no login or password needed per room; no paid upgrade
No lift – the property is a single-storey motel with ground-floor rooms only and one small step at reception
Two complimentary physical newspapers (The Mercury and The Australian) at reception; no digital newsstand; no heritage quirks (purpose-built motel, late 1970s)
Standard from 14:00; early bag-drop available from 10:00 (must call ahead); late check-out until 12:00 ($30 surcharge), after 12:00 booked as extra night
Free, on request, at reception (space limited; no lockers)
Step-free access to reception and all rooms (flat path from car park); wide doorways; no roll-in shower (walk-in shower with low lip); no grab bars in standard rooms
Free on-site car parking (one space per room, first-come-first-served; no EV charging); nearest public car park is the Sandy Bay Road council car park at 460 Sandy Bay Road (coin-operated, $2.50/hour, 6:00–22:00)
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full advance payment via credit card at booking; a $100 incidental hold is placed on card at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Holy Spirit Church (1.2 km · ~15 min walk)
- Church: Wellspring Anglican Church (1.3 km · ~16 min walk)
- Church: Saint Stephen's Anglican Church (1.3 km · ~16 min walk)
- Church: Sandy Bay Baptist Church (1.4 km · ~17 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Queenborough Memorial Reserve — 751 m · ~9 min walk
Narryna Heritage Museum — 2.0 km · ~25 min walk
corner store — 2.3 km · ~28 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Westpac — 1.5 km · ~19 min walk
Magnet Court Chemmart Pharmacy — 1.5 km · ~18 min walk
Brook Street Pier (Franklin Wharf) — 2.6 km · ~32 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Australian Dollar, AUD
Use ATMs for the best rates; avoid currency exchange desks at the airport and tourist bureaux which impose poor rates and high fees.
Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted everywhere; contactless and mobile pay (Apple Pay, Google Pay) are standard in cafes, shops, taxis, and even at the market.
Tipping is not expected or required; if service is exceptional, rounding up the bill or leaving a few dollars is appreciated but never compulsory.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A standard flat white in Hobart runs about AUD 4.50–5.00 at any local café.
A filling banh mi or a salad roll from a bakery costs around AUD 8–12.
A main at a pub or casual eatery is typically AUD 20–28.
Head to the daily food stalls at Salamanca Market on Saturdays for inexpensive eats like curries, dumplings, and crepes.
The main budget supermarkets in the 7005 area are Woolworths and Coles; Aldi is also present for cheaper basics.
Kmart and Big W offer very cheap clothing; for second-hand bargains try the charity shops on Elizabeth Street or the Salvos store.
A Metro bus day pass costs about AUD 5.60; from the airport, the SkyBus (AUD 20 one-way) is the most affordable option, or catch a local bus to the city for AUD 4.50.
Do your grocery shop at Aldi or the Hill Street Grocer to cut food costs; walk the CBD and Battery Point as distances are small; fill your water bottle at any public tap – tap water is excellent.
Good to know — Hobart
Type I · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ A$1.43 · AUD
Emergency Contacts
HobartFor all emergencies in Hobart, dial Triple Zero (000). For non-urgent police matters, call 131 444. Text-based emergency services for those with hearing or speech impairments: call 106 via TTY.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
Book a table →💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Hobart, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Motel 429
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Westpac — 1.5 km · ~19 min walk — pharmacy · Magnet Court Chemmart Pharmacy — 1.5 km · ~18 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Hobart Airport → Hobart CBD (Elizabeth Street)
💡 SkyBus drops you at Elizabeth Street near the bus mall, then it's a 10-min walk uphill to the Welcome Stranger. Take the free Metro shuttle for the last leg. Book online to save $2.
Hobart Airport (HBA) → Hobart City Bus Mall (Elizabeth Street stop, near The Elms)
💡 Buy return ticket online for 38 AUD—it's valid for 28 days. Get off at Elizabeth Street stop, then walk 5 mins north to The Elms. No luggage limit, but buses can fill up.
Hobart Airport → Welcome Stranger Inn (door-to-door)
💡 Book 24 hours ahead online. They’ll drop you at the hotel entrance. Best value if you’re solo and have luggage. Cash only for this service, so have exact change.
Hobart CBD (Elizabeth Street) → Welcome Stranger Inn
💡 Use the Metro Tas app for real-time tracking. The 701 and 702 routes go up Liverpool Street, stopping right outside the hotel. Day pass is $5.50 for unlimited local travel.
Hobart City Interchange (Elizabeth Street) → Stop 17, Elizabeth Street (The Elms)
💡 Buy a Greencard at newsagents for 5 AUD to get 20% off fares. Tap on and off. Walk up Elizabeth Street—it's uphill both ways—but the 19 drops you right outside the hotel.
Hobart Airport (HBA) → Welcome Stranger Inn
💡 Book with 13cabs app or call 131008 for fixed-price airport trips. The fare to the Welcome Stranger is usually around $50 if traffic is clear.
Hobart Airport (HBA) → The Elms, 452 Elizabeth Street, North Hobart
💡 Cheaper than a standard taxi during off-peak. The airport pickup zone is just outside arrivals. Surge pricing happens after 10pm, so compare with 13CABS.
Hobart Airport (HBA) → The Elms, 452 Elizabeth Street, North Hobart
💡 Book through 13CABS app to skip queues. Max 4 passengers, but luggage space is tight—if you've got big suitcases, ask for a Maxi Taxi.
About Hobart
Wikipedia ↗
Hobart ( HOH-bart; Southeast Tasmanian: nipaluna) is the capital and most populous city of the island state of Tasmania, Australia. Located in Tasmania's south-east on the estuary of the River Derwent, it is the southernmost capital city in Australia. Despite containing nearly half of Tasmania's po...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Motel 429?
Request a room on the first floor or higher, facing away from Sandy Bay Road (the rear side). These rooms get less road noise and more privacy from the street.
Which rooms should I avoid at Motel 429?
Avoid ground-floor rooms, especially those facing Sandy Bay Road. They suffer from direct street noise, passing traffic, and lack of privacy.
Is Motel 429 noisy?
Sandy Bay Road is a main artery with consistent traffic, including buses and trucks. Ground-floor rooms near the road pick up engine hum, tyre noise, and occasional loud exhausts. There's also some noise from nearby commercial units.
Which rooms have the best views at Motel 429?
Rear-facing rooms on upper floors overlook nearby residential area and Mount Wellington in the distance, instead of the main road. Front rooms face Sandy Bay Road and traffic.
What are insider tips for staying at Motel 429?
1. Parking is on-site and free — good for a 3-star in Hobart. Arrive early to secure a spot close to the rear entrance, which is quieter. 2. Request a room away from the ice machine and vending area (usually near the lobby) if you want uninterrupted sleep — these machines hum all night.
What time is check-in at Motel 429?
Check-in at Motel 429 is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Motel 429 have Wi-Fi?
Free standard-speed Wi-Fi for all guests (approx 15 Mbps); no login or password needed per room; no paid upgrade
Is there a city or tourist tax at Motel 429?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Motel 429?
A filling banh mi or a salad roll from a bakery costs around AUD 8–12.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Motel 429?
A Metro bus day pass costs about AUD 5.60; from the airport, the SkyBus (AUD 20 one-way) is the most affordable option, or catch a local bus to the city for AUD 4.50.
When is the best time to visit Hobart?
December, January, February – summer offers 15–22°C days, long evenings, and the famous Saturday Salamanca Market, though crowds peak.
Top Attractions in Hobart
💡 Arrive before 9am to beat crowds, then grab a scallop pie from the food stalls before they sell out.
💡 The 'Islands to Ice' exhibition on the top floor is excellent — gives real context to the landscape. Allow 1–2 hours. The gift shop has unusual local art prints, not overpriced tat. Entry is free but some special shows are ticketed.
💡 Skip the paid temporary exhibitions unless you're keen on the topic—the permanent collection is the highlight. Don't miss the thylacine displays.
💡 Go early (before 9am) to beat the crowds. The food stalls near the Princes Wharf end have the best coffee. If you're on a tight budget, avoid the souvenir tents and stick to the fresh fruit stalls.
💡 Pick up a free walking map from the visitor centre, or just wander the side streets—look for Arthur Circus, a tiny circular green with 1840s cottages.
💡 Grab a map from the Salamanca Visitor Information Centre or just follow the bronze plaques on the pavement. The route ends steeply at Arthur Circus — a perfect spot for a quiet picnic. Done properly it's 45 minutes, but allow two hours if you drift into cafes.
💡 Free guided walks run at 11am daily from the visitor centre. The Sub-Antarctic Plant House is unique—bring a jumper, it's kept cool year-round.
💡 The Sub-Antarctic Plant House is unique — it simulates Macquarie Island's climate. Free entry, but the guided tours (small fee) are worth it if you like botany. The cafe's scones are good, but cheaper to bring your own flask. Open daily 8am to 5pm or later in summer.