A month in Hobart

Section 6 of the Residential Tenancy Act 1997 sets out where the Act does not apply. It does not apply to an agreement giving a right to occupy premises not ordinarily used for holidays for the purpose of a holiday for up to 3 months, to any premises ordinarily used for holiday purposes, or to any part of a hotel or motel that is not boarding premises. A month-long holiday falls inside those exclusions.

The Short Stay Accommodation Act 2019 draws the same line from the other side: a short stay arrangement under it does not include a tenancy agreement, or an arrangement under which the guest uses the home as their primary residence.

No state or council levy on short stays was found as of September 2026. The advertised price must be the total, GST included where it applies. No official statistic on monthly rents for holiday flats in Hobart was found, so this guide gives no rent figures.

Battery Point and Sandy Bay suit a month in residential streets near Salamanca and the river beaches: Battery Point adjoins the Salamanca precinct, whose market runs every Saturday, and Sandy Bay has the University of Tasmania's Hobart campus and several public beaches along the Derwent. The city centre suits a month without a car in daily use, with the council car parks for the days it is. Richmond suits a month in a small town near the airport, with the city about 28 km away by road. The bases farther out, from Port Arthur to Cradle Mountain, suit shorter stays within the month. These choices are editorial.

EU and British citizens can travel on the free eVisitor and US citizens on the ETA, which costs AUD 20 in the Australian ETA app. Both are valid for 12 months and allow up to 3 months after each entry, enough for a month; the eVisitor cannot be extended, and a longer stay needs a different visa. Passengers complete an Incoming Passenger Card on arrival.

On a platform, the listing must show whether the home has a planning permit for short stays, or needs none, and the permit number where there is one. That is the check to make before paying for a month.

Airbnb calls 28 nights or more a monthly stay. The first month is charged up front and released to the host 24 hours after check-in, later months are charged 10 days before each period, and a long-term cancellation policy that generally needs 30 days' notice applies.

The City of Hobart rents long-term monthly spaces in eight of its car parks, including Argyle Street, Salamanca Square and Hobart Central, though there may be a waiting list and a cancellation takes effect at the end of the month. In the residential zones near the centre, month-long temporary permits go to residents and, if the council approves, nominated visitors. For the national parks, the Holiday Pass covers every park for up to 2 months at AUD 98.35 per vehicle, with the Cradle Mountain shuttle charged separately. For a car kept in the city, the Salamanca Square car park charges from 8:30am to 6:30pm, takes no cars after 8pm and lets them out until 10pm.

A listing without its planning status. Platforms must show whether the home has a short stay permit or needs none.

Parking on the street in a residential zone. Non-residents usually get one or two hours.

Driving the parks at night. The parks service asks drivers to avoid its reserves after dark because of wildlife on the road.

Arriving at Salamanca Square after 8pm. The car park takes no cars after that hour.

Staying past 3 months. The eVisitor and the ETA allow 3 months after each entry.