Over the past two decades, Hobart has undergone a remarkable cultural transformation, earning acclaim as Australia’s "cool" and creative capital. Central to this shift is the global phenomenon known as the “MONA effect,” attributed to the 2011 opening of the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA). Conceived by Tasmanian philanthropist David Walsh, MONA’s provocative exhibitions and high-profile events—such as the MONA FOMA and Dark Mofo festivals—have dramatically boosted local tourism and redefined the city’s image.

Nightlife in Hobart thrives in precincts like Salamanca Place, North Hobart, the bustling waterfront, Elizabeth Street, and Sandy Bay, where vibrant dining spots, pubs, nightclubs, and music venues create a lively social scene. The transformation isn’t limited to food and entertainment; Hobart has retained its deep artistic roots with a diverse array of galleries and performance spaces.

Australia’s oldest continually operating theatre, the Theatre Royal (established in 1837), still stages productions in a building designed by John Lee Archer. The Playhouse Theatre, originally an 1860s chapel, continues its legacy under the Hobart Repertory Theatre Society. North Hobart’s State Cinema, founded in 1913 and now operated by Reading Cinemas, remains a central venue for arthouse films, while New Town’s Rewind Cinema offers screenings within a heritage convict-built structure.

Adding to the city's dynamic entertainment landscape is the Hanging Garden precinct, a key site for live performances and festivals like Dark Mofo and the Hobart Festival of Comedy.

Hobart's museum and gallery scene is equally rich. The Lady Franklin Gallery, Australia’s first privately funded museum (1843), and the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery (TMAG), founded by the Royal Society of Tasmania in 1863, are key cultural landmarks. TMAG also manages Narryna, a folk museum housed in an elegant 1830s Georgian residence, and collaborates closely with the Maritime Museum of Tasmania, located along the waterfront.

By seamlessly blending historical heritage with cutting-edge creativity, Hobart has not only embraced its past but reimagined its future—attracting global attention as a uniquely Tasmanian cultural capital.