Set against the dramatic backdrop of the River Derwent estuary in Tasmania’s southeast, Hobart is a city defined by its natural contours and ecological richness. Built largely on Jurassic dolerite, with Triassic siltstone and Permian mudstone interspersed throughout, Hobart stretches across the foothills and valleys that frame the Derwent.

On the Western Shore, the terrain ranges from the Derwent Valley and Glenorchy to the imposing peaks of kunanyi / Mount Wellington, Mt Faulkner, Mt Hull, and Mt Dromedary — each soaring close to 1,000 metres above sea level. The hills then slope into urban and beachside areas such as Sandy Bay, while natural barriers like the Alum Cliffs separate the city from suburbs like Kingston and Taroona. The Derwent eventually meets the sea at Storm Bay, bordered by the South Arm Peninsula, Iron Pot, and Betsey Island, with views extending to the Turrakana / Tasman Peninsula and Bruny Island.

The Eastern Shore unfolds southeastward along the Meehan Range, a series of peaks around 400 metres high, featuring landmarks such as Mount Direction and Flagstaff Hill. Here, the land transitions from ancient geological formations into flatter areas composed of younger Quaternary deposits — now home to suburbs like Bellerive and Rokeby. Beyond lie the low-lying tidal zones of Lauderdale, nestled between Ralphs Bay and Frederick Henry Bay.

Hobart is also blessed with a range of easily accessible beaches, including Long Beach, Nutgrove, Cornelian Bay, Bellerive, Howrah, and Kingston, as well as pristine stretches in Frederick Henry Bay like Seven Mile and Clifton Beach.

Ecologically, Hobart sits at the convergence of the Tasmanian South East and Southern Ranges IBRA bioregions, making it a hotspot for biodiversity. Key bird habitats include the Meehan and Wellington Ranges, part of the South-east Tasmania Important Bird Area. Native vegetation includes rare and endangered species such as Eucalyptus morrisbyi and the Risdon peppermint, while blue gums, wattles, and other local flora still thrive in reserves like East Risdon. Many introduced species reflect the legacy of British colonial horticulture.

Wildlife in Hobart includes both rare and familiar faces: the city supports threatened species like the swift parrot, eastern barred bandicoot, and grey goshawk, alongside common marsupials such as wallabies and pademelons. Platypuses can still be found in the Hobart Rivulet. Conservation groups have urged the implementation of lower speed limits in suburban areas to protect wildlife from road accidents.

Remnants of old-growth forests remain on kunanyi / Mount Wellington, where giant stringybarks like the famed Octopus Tree grow among white gums. Near Collinsvale lies a rare pocket of cool-temperate rainforest, featuring myrtle beech and blackheart sassafras. One of Hobart’s most iconic trees, the blue gum at Anglesea Barracks, is believed to have sprouted before the colonial period, offering a living link to the city’s pre-settlement landscape.