Living in Hobart

State: Tasmania (TAS)
Population: 515,000
Average maximum temperature: 18.25°C
Street vibe: Relaxed

Hobart is Tasmania’s capital city and the second oldest capital in Australia, after Sydney. Located at the entrance to the Derwent River, its well-preserved surrounding bushland reaches close to the city centre and beaches line the shores of the river and estuary beyond.
With its captivating history, picturesque waterways, rugged mountains and gourmet experiences, the city have something for everyone.

CULTURE AND LIFESTYLE

Tasmania is well known for its beautiful nature and interesting sites, as well as its unique culture. From hundreds of years ago, there are still thriving craft traditions and Hobart is considered the crafts centre of the island. The city also has a rich wine and foodie culture. Hobart accommodates diverse ethnicities, the main nationalities being, English, Australian, Irish, Scottish, German, Indigenous and Chinese.

LANGUAGE

In the 2016 census, a recorded population of 86.5% spoke only English at home. The other languages most commonly spoken at home were Standard Mandarin (1.3%) Greek (0.5%), Nepali (0.4%), German (0.4%) and Italian (0.3%).

WEATHER

Australian seasons are the reverse of the seasons experienced in China, Europe, and North America. The summer months in Australia are from December to February, autumn is from March to May, winter is from June to August and spring is September to November.

Hobart experiences four distinct seasons, each with its own beauty and charm.

For more information please visit: https://www.australia.com/en/facts-and-planning/weather-in-australia/weather-in-hobart.html

CLOTHING

The Australian sun can be very fierce so if you plan on arriving in the summer-time, wear plenty of high factor sunscreen and a hat. Lightweight clothing such as t-shirts, shorts, light cotton pants and dresses are desirable. Arriving during winter shouldn't be much of a problem as the temperature is often in the low 'teens’. Warm woollen sweaters and jackets will be needed to keep you reasonably comfortable.

TRANSPORT

While Hobart is smaller than most of Australia’s major cities, it still has plenty of transport options for visitors including buses, driving, and walking. There is practical information on getting around Hobart to help make moving around the city very simple.

Getting to and from the Airport
The SkyBus shuttle is an easy way to get to Hobart Airport from the city. The bus drops and collects passengers from many hotels in Hobart, and the timetable meets all flights arriving and departing from Hobart Airport.

ACCOMMODATION

Students can obtain information about accommodation options by contacting IMC student support staff; however, no accommodation is pre-arranged or personally provided for individual students by IMC.

There are several options for accommodation, including renting a house or an apartment, renting a room, sharing with other students and homestay. You can find this information through social media, your friends’ or classmates’ recommendations, newspaper advertisements or on public notice areas around Hobart. You may also find online, such as Domain, via https://www.domain.com.au/?mode=rent or https://flatmates.com.au.

Some helpful tips:
• Try not to rush
• Do plenty of research & shop around
• Visit before you move in
• Budget

IMC staff can assist students to find accommodation. Although accommodation is usually readily available, the beginning of each semester is a very busy time and accommodation may take a little longer to find during these periods. Homestay with an Australian family who provide accommodation and meals is a good option for international students. Students need to make a request for this service at least two weeks in advance and conditions and charges apply.

For further information contact IMC at  info@imc.edu.au.

LIVING COSTS IN HOBART

Australia is a sophisticated, friendly and affordable country which enjoys one of the highest standards of living in the world. Knowing the average living costs in Australia is an important part of your financial preparation.

To help you stay organised visit https://insiderguides.com.au/cost-of-living-calculator/ to estimate how much you need to live in Hobart based on your lifestyle choices. The cost of living calculator produces approximate costs for Hobart and excludes tuition fees. you may spend more or less depending on the course you choose, where you choose to live and your lifestyle.

For more information on living in Hobart, visit http://www.studyinaustralia.gov.au/.

OTHER ATTRACTIONS

With its captivating history, picturesque waterways, rugged mountains and gourmet experiences, the city has something for everyone. Enjoy the contrast of elegant heritage sandstone alongside modern architecture, explore Salamanca Place, a short walk from the waterfront, with its galleries, theatres, craft shops and restaurants in 1830s Georgian warehouses and on Saturdays enjoy the food and entertainment of Salamanca Market, Australia’s best outdoor market. You can also take a walk along Hobart’s iconic waterfront, explore the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery or take a ferry upriver to MONA for an out-of-this-world modern art experience.

Hobart is also close to many of southern Tasmania’s best travel experiences, from historic Port Arthur and the rugged Tasman Peninsula to Bruny Island, the Huon and Derwent Valleys and Mount Field National Park.

If you’d like to follow the latest and freshest events in this lovely city, you can check out http://cityofhobart.org/. If you’d like to see more about Hobart, Tasmania also checks out www.discovertasmania.com.au for more details.