New Town, Tasmania, Suburb Profile
Encompassing approximately 4 square kilometres, New Town seamlessly combines the allure of natural beauty with the convenience of urban living.
Interestingly, New Town's name conceals its age, as it is actually the oldest suburb in Tasmania. European settlers first arrived in New Town in 1804, and by the 1820s, it had earned a reputation as the preferred locale for the affluent elite.
New Town strikes a harmonious balance, offering proximity to city life's amenities while maintaining a peaceful separation from its hustle and bustle. It lies just north of the urban parkland known as the Queens Domain and is home to Cornelian Bay, a safe anchorage spot for yacht owners.
Where is New Town, Tasmania?
New Town is a suburb nestled in the picturesque landscape of Tasmania, Australia. Located just a short distance north of Hobart's city centre, this charming enclave shares the postcode 7008 with its neighbouring suburb Lenah Valley. Conveniently, you can reach both domestic and international flight connections within a mere 16-minute drive from your residence, depending on traffic conditions.
Postcode of 7008, Tasmania
New Town to Hobart: approx 8 minutes drive, 4 km distance
Population of 6,781 in the 2021 Census
The size of New Town is approximately 4 square kilometres.
Real estate in New Town
New Town boasts an array of tree-lined streets and homes that encompass a variety of architectural designs, including Art Deco, Federation, Georgian, and Colonial styles.
Unsurprisingly, being the first suburb in Tasmania, it flaunts a collection of stately mansions. With a leisurely stroll down Bay Street, you can get a glimpse of the particularly enchanting Runnymede house and its gardens.
The expansive Runnymede gardens showcase ancient trees and botanical specimens. Visitors can explore the house and gardens through guided tours, and Runnymede also hosts various public and private events throughout the year.
Among the numerous notable structures in the vicinity, Pitt Farm on Albert Road stands out as one of Tasmania's most ancient residences. Pitt Farm is a well-preserved example of a Colonial Georgian farmhouse constructed around 1810.
New Town's appeal extends beyond its historic charm; it embraces a wide range of captivating features, from contemporary homes and idyllic cottage gardens to north-facing weatherboard abodes and solid double brick and tile houses.
You will also find recently refurbished dwellings with strong foundations, others of which are perfect for renovation and transformation, and charming boat sheds along the scenic Cornelian Bay, adding a touch of character and recreational possibilities to the suburb.
New Town community
New Town has a diverse demographic spread, with a fairly even mix across age groups. The largest cohort is aged 25–34, and couples make up the most common household type. Professionally, many residents work in professional or personal service roles, reflecting the suburb’s balanced and community-focused lifestyle.
The New Town Precinct upgrade has transformed the heart of the suburb into a vibrant, safer and more connected community space. Completed in late 2023, the project includes new pedestrian crossings, landscaped green areas, public art, and a modern bus shelter—creating a welcoming hub for locals and visitors alike.
Residents enjoy the luxury of a mere 8-minute drive to the city centre, with even shorter travel times and within walking distance of numerous schools, cafes, clubs and parks.
Transport availability in New Town
New Town is surrounded by Moonah, Lenah Valley and North Hobart. It is largely flat in topography, making it a relatively easy walk to the CBD and surrounding suburbs. You can also easily bus, taxi, car, or bike from New Town.
The local bus service, Metro, has a “Turn Up and GO” and that drives along New Town Road, New Town. For more information about the Hobart to Glenorchy via Moonah route, click here.
The Hobart Inner City Cycleway, known by locals simply as ‘the bike track’, runs through New Town. This allows you to easily cycle into Hobart.
Things to do in New Town
New Town offers a delightful blend of natural beauty and urban conveniences. Here, you'll discover enchanting established gardens, an abundance of playgrounds and a plethora of inviting coffee spots. If you are a hockey enthusiast, you've made the perfect choice, as New Town boasts world-class facilities along Bellevue Parade.
At the entrance to New Town via Argyle Street is a quaint stretch of grassland for those wanting a shady place to read a book, meditate or stop for a picnic lunch.
For those seeking family-friendly outdoor adventures, the Cornelian Bay Playground stands as a beloved gem, cherished by both locals and tourists alike. Featuring two secure playground areas, one adorned with a magnificent climbing frame, this park offers breathtaking vistas, essential amenities such as restrooms, barbecues, and shelter, as well as ample parking. It's an absolute must-visit destination for families with children.
Additionally, the New Town Rivulet Linear Park beckons as a popular spot for leisurely strolls, creek-side play, and exploration of a captivating rock maze. With spacious grassy areas perfect for running and enough room to kick around a footy, your children will gladly while away hours in this idyllic setting.
The John Kennedy Playground is another charming spot, offering an array of play equipment, including a train-themed area, slide, climbing frame, and swings. It's an ideal spot for a picnic, a small game of soccer, and wholesome family enjoyment.
Clare Street Oval is a sporting ground for soccer and cricket and can be used as an off-lead exercise area for your dog companion when a sports game is not playing or activities are not taking place.
Adjacent to this oval, is a little fully fenced park called Fairfield Playground for middle-aged children to play while you catch up with friends over a takeaway coffee from one of your local New Town cafes. Another small playground called Seymour Street Playground is yet another play space for your children in New Town.
For those with a penchant for history, St. John's Church, founded in 1835, stands as a testament to New Town's rich heritage. As the oldest church in the area with continuous Sunday services at 9 am, it exudes a timeless charm and remains a significant part of the community's cultural fabric.
Willeston on Stoke provides locals with an opportunity to swim in a heated (to 30-31 degrees) pool that uses a powerful, environmentally sustainable, and chemical-free pool water purifier! Bookings are on an exclusive basis only, which means when you book, you only swim with those who you booked with!
Swim Central New Town is a top-notch aquatic facility, offering a 13m Lap Pool and 6m Toddlers Pool, a Dry Hydro Massage bed, a cafe with hot food, drinks and snacks, couches and a family-friendly environment. It provides swimming lessons, Aqua Boot Camp, group bookings and casual and regular entries, making this centre your go-to spot for aquatic fun and wellness.
Nature and recreation spots
You are spoilt for choice when it comes to green spaces in New Town. New Town Oval welcomes humans and pooches alike. Cornelian Bay offers stunning views of the Derwent River, quaint boathouses and an idyllic bushy track that leads to the Botanical Gardens.
The Royal Botanical Gardens is situated just outside of New Town, and offers its locals the perfect day out. Spanning 14 hectares, it boasts lush greenery, iconic trees, and picturesque Derwent River views, ideal for family excursions. Explore collections like the Tasmanian collection, Lily Pond, Subantarctic Plant House, and Japanese garden. For a scenic meal, Succulent Restaurant offers garden-grown produce, while Sprout Takeaway provides coffee and local Valhalla ice cream for a quick bite on the go.
New Town Rivulet Track is a must for mountain bike riders, bush walkers, walkers with dogs on a lead and parents with prams and children wanting to explore. You can follow the New Town Rivulet upsteam from its junction with the Derwent River to discover a landscape that changes from, urban to suburban to bushland.
On this walk to you will find colonial homes with rolling gardens, a convict-built bridge and eventually reach the Greek-style temple of Lady Franklin Museum in Lenah Valley. Along this nature trail you will hear the steady running of water and closer to kunanyi/Mount Wellington you will discover pools and cascades. You may even spot a platypus! The track links to a network of other native tracks and recreation spots on kunanyi.
Shopping and services
The New Town Plaza Shopping Centre in the centre of New Town provides its locals with much of their shopping needs and includes a kmart that is open 24/7 and a Coles open until midnight. Amazon Hub Lockers are now at the New Town Plaza. You will also find Trendy Cut Meats, Chemist Warehouse, Baker's Delight, MyTach Repairs, New Town Newsagency, Orchid Massafe, Ruckus Fried Chicken, Wendy's and more!
Just around the corner and less than minute drive south along New Town Road, you will find Woolworths. Hill Street Grocer is also located in New Town on the corner of Elizabeth Street and Augusta Road.
New Town, like many neighbourhoods in Tasmania, offers various places for self-care and well-being to meet your health needs. Some of these places are the New Town Health Hub, City Dental, New Town Child Health and Parenting Service, Mental Health Services State Office, Home & Community Services, Derwent Osteopathy & Natural Health, Balance Acupuncture & Wellness Centre and Orchid Massage.
Throughout New Town, you will also have access to a variety of services. IMP consulting for practical health and safety solutions in businesses, mycar Tyre & Auto for tyres and car services, Jim's Mowing for all your gardening needs, Post Australia for delivering your post and goods, and Blue Line Laundry for quality commercial linen and laundry services.
Salvos stands as a prominent pillar of community support and goodwill. This charitable organizations, part of The Salvation Army, is dedicated to making a positive impact on the lives of those in need. Salvos provide essential services, including affordable clothing, furniture, and household items, while also offering a helping hand to individuals and families facing hardship.
Their thrift store not only contribute to sustainable living but also fund vital community programs, such as food assistance, shelter, and rehabilitation services. Salvos embodies the spirit of compassion and solidarity, making New Town a better place for everyone.
If you choose New Town to be your next home, you will have plenty of hairdresses to pick from including, Anywhere for Hair (a mobile hair and make up service), Capello Hairstylists, Pirie Street Hair and Beauty, Circles Hair, just to name a few.
Archive Antiques, on New Town Road, offers a diverse range of items for sale, with a focus on antiques, collectibles, and books spanning from the Georgian era to mid-century Scandinavian design. Their collection includes industrial and art deco antiques, as well as unique workshop equipment and other distinctive finds. The store boasts an impressive array of items, making it a treasure trove for antique enthusiasts and collectors.
Restaurants and cafes
With beautiful waterfront views, a fully enclosed park next door, and a safe place to mour your boat, Cornelian Bay Boat House is the perfect place for a family lunch, a romatic dinner, a celebration, or special function.
On the border of New Town and North Hobart, you will be greeted by a tempting array of breakfast options from a menu crafted from locally sourced and seasonal ingredients. From pastries and bread made in-house to the mouth-watering lunch classics, anyone looking to start their day on a delicious note must visit Daci and Daci Bakers.
Make sure to include The Parcel Cafe on your list of must-visit cafes; it's a delightful, contemporary coffee shop that opened in February 2025 for the first time. If you're in a hurry, there's a convenient takeaway window for a quick grab-and-go option. Inside, the decor is full of lush greenery, intriguing art pieces, and staff who go the extra mile for their customers. Additionally, they have a private dining room with high ceilings, perfect for a quieter space, a meeting or a birthday celebration.
Just a short stroll along Carlton Street from the John Kennedy Playground, you'll discover the renowned Jean Pascal's Patisserie (Café). Jean Pascal embarked on his culinary journey at the young age of fourteen, travelling to Paris to complete his pastry chef apprenticeship. The Patisserie brings authentic flavours and traditional techniques straight from France, offering a mouthwatering array of breads, croissants, éclairs, and macarons. Living close by, you're in for a delightful treat!
If you're eager to explore the depths of flavour combinations derived from various culinary elements and the intricate interplay of herbs and spices, don't miss the opportunity to book a table at Sacred Bites Indian-Asian Fusion. It's a culinary must-experience, and why not make it a weekly tradition once you've settled into the neighbourhood!
Overall, New Town is a culinary treasure trove, offering an abundance of restaurants that cater to a diverse range of cultural cuisines and takeout preferences. Some of these establishments are: King Wah Restaurant, Spice on Wheels Indian Restaurant, The Talbot Hobart for good beer and food, Jackman & McRoss, Domino's Pizza, Hungry Freds, Ruckus Fried Chicken, Pizza Hut, and Breadd.
Community clubs
Want to try something new or join a community within New Town to get to know your new locals? St John's Park Bowls Club is perfect for the beginner. It promises excitement and enjoyment within a competitive and friendly environment. They are searching for new members to join their club—this could be you!
The Polish Club in New Town is a lively cultural hub celebrating Poland's rich heritage and traditions. Welcoming both the Polish community and anyone with an interest in Polish culture, it’s a warm and inclusive space in the heart of the neighbourhood.
The Polish Club offers a cosy function space for hire—perfect for small weddings, birthday celebrations, anniversaries, quiz nights, fundraisers, Christmas parties, and more. With a separate bar area and a fully equipped kitchen, you'll have everything you need to host a memorable event.
In Southern Tasmania, most of Hockey Tasmania's hockey competitions occur at the Tasmanian Hockey Centre New Town. These competitions encompass a wide range, including senior, junior, school, and master divisions, as well as opportunities for social and indoor hockey games and competitions. If you are interested in participating, don't hesitate to reach out to Hockey Tasmania!
Additionally, the New Town Bay Rowing Centre is offers another exciting and inclusive club experience for those residing in or near New Town. Equipped with a modern training facility situated on the picturesque River Derwent, it serves various clubs, schools, and the Tasmanian Insitute of Sport. Featuring a versatile hall, a well-equipped gymnasium, facilities for community programs, accessible amenities, and kitchen and dining areas, this centre plays a vital role in the New Town community. Why not join the New Town Bay Rowing Centre to be a part of this vibrant and dynamic community hub!
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Local schools
The Friends School is a coeducational Quaker school catering to Kindergarten through Year 12 students. Nestled between New Town and North Hobart, this distinguished school boasts a comprehensive range of facilities, including a gym, pool, sauna, and tennis courts.
At the Friends’ School, their core values are deeply rooted in the belief in the inherent worth of each individual and the recognition of ‘that of God’ in children. They foster an environment where students learn to cherish and preserve the world around them and are dedicated to the holistic well-being of every student entrusted to their care.
Situated on the northern side of New Town, Hobart City High School is a prominent high school that strives to empower its students to excel as engaged, resilient, innovative, and inquisitive thinkers within their community.
New Town Primary School is committed to nurturing student success by promoting kindness, encouraging creativity, stimulating curiosity, instilling a sense of responsibility, and facilitating exploration of the rich resources available.
Within the vicinity are Lenah Valley Primary School, Moonah Primary School, and Elizabeth College, which are located in the neighbouring suburb of North Hobart.
New Town property prices
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Fall Real Estate has a network of eight premier real estate offices strategically positioned throughout Southern Tasmania, providing you with convenient access to our friendly and professional agents.
For those living in or wanting to purchase in New Town and surrounds, our nearest offices are just a stone's throw away in Moonah and North Hobart, ensuring easy connections with our dedicated team.
Nearby Suburbs
Tolmans Hill
Cornelian Bay
Dynnyrne
Glebe
Mount Nelson
Mount Stuart
Ridgeway
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