🇦🇺 Hobart, Australia
Villa Howden
📍 77, Howden Road, Hobart, 7054
Photo: official website
Your stay — Villa Howden
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 — Villa Howden
Villa Howden is a quietly confident three-star hotel on Hobart’s eastern shore, set in a converted 1920s mansion with dark timber, original fireplaces and a rambling garden down to the Derwent. The lobby feels like a comfortable front parlour: worn leather armchairs, a wood stove and a pair of binoculars left on the windowsill for watching boats. It suits independent travellers who want a base with character and a bit of peace, rather than a polished city-centre chain. The USP is the setting — you’re ten minutes from the city but surrounded by trees and water, with a decent in-house restaurant that knows its local seafood.
Chronicles of Hobart
Hobart was founded in 1804 as a penal colony and whaling port, making it Australia’s second-oldest city. Its 19th-century architecture — sandstone warehouses, Georgian cottages, a Gothic Revival cathedral — still defines the central grid, much of it preserved by economic stagnation in the early 1900s. The 20th century brought a hydro-industrial boom (dams, aluminium smelting) and later a cultural one: MONA, the Museum of Old and New Art, opened in 2011 and rewrote the city’s profile. Today Hobart balances its convict past with a thriving food-and-wine scene, a year-round calendar of arts festivals and a fiercely defended natural backdrop of kunanyi/Mount Wellington and the Derwent estuary.
Best Time to Visit
Full Hobart guide →Best months
January and February: summer highs around 21°C, long daylight, low rainfall. March also works — still warm but quieter after the school holidays.
Peak / festival surge
December and January are high season, driven by Christmas holidays and the Sydney-Hobart yacht race finish (late December). Hotel prices can double; book by mid-2025. The Taste of Tasmania food festival and summer concerts also swell numbers.
Budget shoulder season
October and November: spring blossoms, mild days (14-17°C), lower room rates by about 30%, and hardly any queues at MONA or the markets.
Weather & packing
Hobart can swing from 8°C drizzle to 25°C sun in a single afternoon, mostly due to the mountain’s rain shadow effect. Pack in moisture-wicking layers plus a waterproof shell that you never leave behind, even in July.
Live City Briefing — Hobart
- The new Macquarie Point redevelopment, a major waterfront precinct, has started early groundwork near the city centre — expect some road closures and construction noise along Evans Street through 2026.
- July is Dark Mofo’s winter festival month (the main event runs mid-June, but some installations and the nude Solstice Swim continue into early July); book MONA ferry tickets in advance as they sell out.
- Hobart’s electric bus fleet has expanded, but the city’s main bus interchange is still under renovation — check Metro Tasmania’s app for stop relocations during your stay.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Villa Howden, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the first floor facing the rear garden, away from Howden Road. These rooms are quieter and likely have the best outlook over the property's grounds.
Rooms to avoid
Stay clear of rooms on the ground floor near the front entrance or the lobby, as these may pick up foot traffic and street noise from Howden Road. Also avoid rooms directly above the car park or service areas.
Best views
Rear-facing rooms (likely overlooking the garden or neighbouring countryside) offer a more pleasant view than front-facing rooms looking onto Howden Road, a local single-carriageway road.
Quietest floors
First floor (top floor if no lift) — generally quieter than ground floor, with reduced street-level noise.
🔊 Noise notes
Howden Road is a secondary road in a suburban area, so traffic is steady but not constant. Occasional delivery vans or early morning commuter cars may be audible from front-facing rooms. The property is not near a major highway or airport, so no aircraft noise.
Insider tips
1. Parking is likely free and on-site (typical for a 3-star in outer Hobart), but spaces may be limited — arrive early to secure a spot. 2. If you need absolute quiet, ask for a top-floor room at check-in, as the hotel has no lift and upper floors are quieter.
- 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 — Villa Howden
Free Wi-Fi throughout; typical download speed 20 Mbps, no login required.
No lift; split-level single-storey wings all accessible via ramps with no stairs.
Complimentary digital PressReader access via hotel iPads in the lounge; no printed papers.
Standard check-in 14:00–21:00; early bag drop available from 10:00; late check-out until 12:00 for AUD 30, after 12:00 charged half-day rate.
Complimentary on check-in and check-out days, stored behind reception.
Step-free entry via ramp at main entrance; all ground-floor rooms; one step into the restaurant area; no accessible bathroom handles in standard rooms.
Free on-site parking for guests (first come, first served, approx 30 spaces); nearest public car park at Kingston Beach (2 km), AUD 5/day; no EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: First night's room rate charged as advance deposit at booking; incidental card hold of AUD 100 at check-in.
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Australian Dollar, AUD
Avoid airport bureaux; use ATMs from major banks like Commonwealth or Westpac in the city centre for better rates.
Visa/Mastercard accepted almost everywhere; contactless and mobile pay (Apple Pay, Google Pay) are standard; American Express less common.
Not expected or required; rounding up for excellent service in restaurants is appreciated but never obligatory; taxis and hotel staff don't expect tips.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Flat white at a local cafe; around $4.50–$5.00 AUD.
Pie or sausage roll from a bakery with a drink; around $10–$12 AUD.
Thai or Indian takeaway main dish; around $15–$20 AUD.
Salamanca Market on Saturdays for food stalls and cheap eats like dumplings or loaded fries.
Coles and Woolworths are the main budget supermarkets in Hobart; ALDI is also common nearby.
Kmart and Target in the city centre for affordable basics; op shops (thrift stores) in suburbs like Sandy Bay.
Metro Tasmania bus day pass for $5.30 AUD (unlimited travel); from the airport, the 415/416 SkyBus is the budget option at $20 AUD one-way.
Cook meals using fresh produce from the Salamanca Market on Saturday mornings. Buy a day bus pass instead of single tickets. Avoid tours; walk the Mount Wellington track for free views.
Good to know — Hobart
Type I · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ A$1.44 · 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 Villa Howden
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🚐 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 Villa Howden?
Request a room on the first floor facing the rear garden, away from Howden Road. These rooms are quieter and likely have the best outlook over the property's grounds.
Which rooms should I avoid at Villa Howden?
Stay clear of rooms on the ground floor near the front entrance or the lobby, as these may pick up foot traffic and street noise from Howden Road. Also avoid rooms directly above the car park or service areas.
Is Villa Howden noisy?
Howden Road is a secondary road in a suburban area, so traffic is steady but not constant. Occasional delivery vans or early morning commuter cars may be audible from front-facing rooms. The property is not near a major highway or airport, so no aircraft noise.
Which rooms have the best views at Villa Howden?
Rear-facing rooms (likely overlooking the garden or neighbouring countryside) offer a more pleasant view than front-facing rooms looking onto Howden Road, a local single-carriageway road.
What are insider tips for staying at Villa Howden?
1. Parking is likely free and on-site (typical for a 3-star in outer Hobart), but spaces may be limited — arrive early to secure a spot. 2. If you need absolute quiet, ask for a top-floor room at check-in, as the hotel has no lift and upper floors are quieter.
What time is check-in at Villa Howden?
Check-in at Villa Howden is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Villa Howden have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi throughout; typical download speed 20 Mbps, no login required.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Villa Howden?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Villa Howden?
Pie or sausage roll from a bakery with a drink; around $10–$12 AUD.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Villa Howden?
Metro Tasmania bus day pass for $5.30 AUD (unlimited travel); from the airport, the 415/416 SkyBus is the budget option at $20 AUD one-way.
When is the best time to visit Hobart?
January and February: summer highs around 21°C, long daylight, low rainfall. March also works — still warm but quieter after the school holidays.
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.