Considered by many to be the beating heart of Tasmania, Hobart is not only the capital city by name but also the cultural capital. Think endless annual festivals, a bustling waterfront, a modern arts scene and old sandstone warehouses lining the Derwent River. Hobart is home to almost half the state of Tasmania’s population – making it an urban oasis, albeit still on Tasmanian terms. The notorious island pace is still prominent here, however you will certainly find it slightly more reminiscent of a mainland city (as locals so affectionately refer to the rest of Australia).
If you are considering Hobart as an area of interest in your property search, there are many established and emerging suburbs to consider. The likes of Battery Point and Sandy Bay have always outperformed neighbouring suburbs. This is due to their bluechip location on the Derwent River and close proximity to the city centre. However nearby suburbs on the fringe of the city like North Hobart, West Hobart and Glebe have seen impressive growth rates in the last few years. There are certainly too many suburbs to list by name, with new developments on the outskirts of the city pushing the city boundaries with a slow and steady population growth rate.
The South of Tasmania has seen the highest property price growth rates statewide, thanks to an undersupply of dwellings and an overwhelming demand for them. Many inter-state visitors come with the intention of a holiday and later decide to pack up and move to the apple isle, allured by the laidback lifestyle and strong sense of community. Many of these newcomers are attracted to the South of Tasmania, most prominently Hobart, thanks to its connections to Australia and the Hobart International Airport with connections further abroad.
Outside of Hobart you have many other populated towns in the South of Tasmania, each with their own unique sense of community. The Huon Valley is filled with endless rolling hills, which in the Autumn season come to life in various shades of amber. This area is surrounded by apple orchards, which is of course where the Apple Isle gets its name.
The important consideration to remember for investors considering the South of Tasmania is that this area is highly concentrated on the tourism industry. So while you may be paying a premium to purchase an investment property in this area of the state, it will certainly be a sound investment choice given this is where half of Tasmania’s population resides. There is an ever-present demand for properties and an undersupply of dwellings, making Hobart and surrounds an attractive location for investors.