🇦🇺 Hobart, Australia
Wrest Point Hotel
📍 410 Sandy Bay Rd, Sandy Bay, Hobart, 7005
Photo: official website
Your stay — Wrest Point Hotel
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 — Wrest Point Hotel
Wrest Point is Australia’s first legal casino, a low-rise brick landmark on Sandy Bay’s waterfront. The lobby smells faintly of carpet and slot machines; it’s a functional 3-star property favoured by business travellers and gamblers, not a romantic getaway. Rooms are dated but clean, with solid bay views from upper floors. It suits visitors who want a straightforward bed within walking distance of Salamanca Place and don’t mind the casino atmosphere.
Chronicles of Hobart
Hobart was founded in 1804 as a penal colony, the second-oldest city in Australia. Its sandstone Georgian warehouses around Salamanca were built by convict labour in the 1830s. The 20th century brought a slow decline, then a revival fuelled by MONA (opened 2011), which repositioned Hobart as a destination for art and food. Today the city has a compact, walkable centre and a self-consciously quirky cultural identity, proud of its isolation and its mountain backdrop.
Best Time to Visit
Full Hobart guide →Best months
January and February: reliable summer warmth (20-24°C) and long daylight hours, plus the Taste of Tasmania festival and the Sydney-Hobart yacht finish. March is also excellent with fewer crowds.
Peak / festival surge
Sydney-Hobart Yacht Race arrives 28-30 December; January is bookended by New Year and the Festival of Voices. Hotel prices double or triple; Wrest Point’s standard rooms hit A$300+ and book out weeks ahead.
Budget shoulder season
October and November: spring flowers, milder temperatures (12-18°C), lower prices (A$140-180 at Wrest Point) and far fewer tourists than summer. Perfect for hiking kunanyi/Mount Wellington without summer haze.
Weather & packing
Hobart can swing from 4°C to 14°C in a single July day; a warm midlayer under a waterproof jacket is non-negotiable. Pack a merino base layer and a beanie even if the forecast says 12°C.
Live City Briefing — Hobart
- Macquarie Point redevelopment continues: the new AFL stadium construction starts in 2026, with road changes on the Eastern Shore slip lanes.
- MONA’s winter festival Dark Mofo will run 9-23 June 2026; expect heavy traffic and sold-out accommodation in the city centre, though Wrest Point often has last-minute availability.
- Hobart Airport’s new runway extension (completed 2025) now allows direct flights from Auckland and Singapore, increasing visitor numbers mid-year.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Wrest Point Hotel, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a high floor room on the river side (north-east) away from Sandy Bay Rd. These rooms offer quieter conditions and a view over the Derwent River towards Hobart city. Upper floors (8-10) are less affected by lift noise.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms facing Sandy Bay Rd (south-west) as this is a main arterial road with traffic noise, especially during peak hours. Also avoid rooms directly opposite the lifts on any floor due to passing chatter and door sounds.
Best views
River side (approx. north-east) gives wide views over the Derwent River, the Wrest Point Casino tower, and the Hobart city skyline. Mountain views are limited; ask specifically for a river view if available.
Quietest floors
Floors 8 to 10 (top) offer best quiet, being furthest from street level activity and away from ground-floor public areas (restaurant, bar, conference rooms).
🔊 Noise notes
Sandy Bay Rd carries steady traffic, including buses and trucks, from 6am to 10pm. The hotel's casino and bar area (ground floor) can generate low music/bass on Friday and Saturday nights. Lift mechanism noise is minimal above floor 5.
Insider tips
1. If arriving by car, park in the hotel's multi-storey car park (enter off Sandy Bay Rd) but note spaces fill early during events; consider the nearby Wilson Parking on Marieville Esp for backup. 2. Request a room on floor 9 or 10 for best river views and quietest sleep – these are often the last to be assigned, so call ahead or check in online early.
- 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 — Wrest Point Hotel
Free basic Wi-Fi for all guests (download speed ~10 Mbps); a paid 'Premium' tier ($5/day) offers up to 50 Mbps. No login time limit.
One lift serves all guest floors in the main tower; no stairs-only sections.
Complimentary digital access to PressReader (2000+ newspapers) available via lobby code; no physical papers delivered. The hotel's original 1937 Art Deco tower is a local landmark, with a historic casino floor now used as function space.
Check-in from 14:00; early bag drop allowed at front desk; late check-out until 12:00 costs $30 (subject to availability).
Complimentary storage at reception during your stay, no cost.
Main entrance has a ramp; level access to restaurant, bar, and ground-floor rooms. Upper floors reachable by lift. No dedicated accessible rooms, but staff can assist.
On-site self-parking ($15/night, first-come); no valet. Closest public car park is Domain Tennis Centre car park (5 min walk, $2/hour). No EV charging on site.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: First night's room rate taken as deposit at booking; an incidental hold of $100 placed on credit 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 in town for fair rates; avoid airport and tourist-bureau exchange kiosks which add poor margins.
Visa/Mastercard contactless widely accepted; mobile pay (Apple/Google Pay) common; cash still needed at some markets and small cafes.
Not expected; round up taxi fare or leave small change at restaurants for excellent service — no percentage required.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A takeaway flat white from a local cafe — around AUD 4.50–5.00
Fish and chips from a takeaway shop — around AUD 12–15
Pasta or pub main at a casual bistro — around AUD 20–28
Salamanca Market (Sat) has cheap eats; also food trucks at waterfront events
Woolworths and Coles are the budget supermarkets in Sandy Bay and city
Target and Kmart in Hobart city centre for basics; op shops for secondhand
Metro bus day pass AUD 5.30 (adult) within city zones; airport bus (SkyBus) ~AUD 22 one way is cheapest from airport
1) Buy hop-on-hop-off bus pass for frequent trips; 2) Cook at self-catering accommodation using Woolworths/Coles; 3) Visit free attractions like Salamanca Place and Mount Wellington trails
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 Wrest Point Hotel
🕒 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 Wrest Point Hotel?
Request a high floor room on the river side (north-east) away from Sandy Bay Rd. These rooms offer quieter conditions and a view over the Derwent River towards Hobart city. Upper floors (8-10) are less affected by lift noise.
Which rooms should I avoid at Wrest Point Hotel?
Avoid rooms facing Sandy Bay Rd (south-west) as this is a main arterial road with traffic noise, especially during peak hours. Also avoid rooms directly opposite the lifts on any floor due to passing chatter and door sounds.
Is Wrest Point Hotel noisy?
Sandy Bay Rd carries steady traffic, including buses and trucks, from 6am to 10pm. The hotel's casino and bar area (ground floor) can generate low music/bass on Friday and Saturday nights. Lift mechanism noise is minimal above floor 5.
Which rooms have the best views at Wrest Point Hotel?
River side (approx. north-east) gives wide views over the Derwent River, the Wrest Point Casino tower, and the Hobart city skyline. Mountain views are limited; ask specifically for a river view if available.
What are insider tips for staying at Wrest Point Hotel?
1. If arriving by car, park in the hotel's multi-storey car park (enter off Sandy Bay Rd) but note spaces fill early during events; consider the nearby Wilson Parking on Marieville Esp for backup. 2. Request a room on floor 9 or 10 for best river views and quietest sleep – these are often the last to be assigned, so call ahead or check in online early.
What time is check-in at Wrest Point Hotel?
Check-in at Wrest Point Hotel is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Wrest Point Hotel have Wi-Fi?
Free basic Wi-Fi for all guests (download speed ~10 Mbps); a paid 'Premium' tier ($5/day) offers up to 50 Mbps. No login time limit.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Wrest Point Hotel?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Wrest Point Hotel?
Fish and chips from a takeaway shop — around AUD 12–15
What is the cheapest way to get around from Wrest Point Hotel?
Metro bus day pass AUD 5.30 (adult) within city zones; airport bus (SkyBus) ~AUD 22 one way is cheapest from airport
When is the best time to visit Hobart?
January and February: reliable summer warmth (20-24°C) and long daylight hours, plus the Taste of Tasmania festival and the Sydney-Hobart yacht finish. March is also excellent with fewer crowds.
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.