St David's Park
Hobart's historic cemetery transformed into a serene park, featuring a poignant headstone wall and beautiful gardens.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Crisp air, beautiful blooms
St David's Park
Best Time
Crisp air, beautiful blooms
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Hobart's historic cemetery transformed into a serene park, featuring a poignant headstone wall and beautiful gardens.
"A beautiful, peaceful park with a poignant historical touch, perfect for a relaxing city break."
🚶♀️ Peaceful City Escape
Enjoy a quiet moment amidst beautiful gardens and historical monuments. Perfect for a relaxing break.
📜 Read the Headstones
Take time to read the poignant inscriptions on the memorial wall for a deeper connection to history.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Memorial Headstone Wall
Central area of the park
A moving tribute featuring headstones from Hobart's first cemetery, thoughtfully preserved.
Rotunda and Gardens
Main lawn area
A beautiful rotunda and well-maintained gardens offer a serene spot for relaxation amidst city bustle.
Neo-Gothic Tombs
Scattered throughout the park
Discover historical monuments and a handful of Neo-Gothic style tombs of notable early settlers.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Embrace the History
Location & Accessibility
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🚶♀️ Peaceful City Escape
Enjoy a quiet moment amidst beautiful gardens and historical monuments. Perfect for a relaxing break.
📜 Read the Headstones
Take time to read the poignant inscriptions on the memorial wall for a deeper connection to history.
📸 Great Photo Spot
The gardens and historical elements make for lovely photos, especially in the morning light.
🗺️ Handy Shortcut
Use the park as a convenient and scenic route between Salamanca Place and Davey Street.
Tips
from all over the internet
🚶♀️ Peaceful City Escape
Enjoy a quiet moment amidst beautiful gardens and historical monuments. Perfect for a relaxing break.
📜 Read the Headstones
Take time to read the poignant inscriptions on the memorial wall for a deeper connection to history.
📸 Great Photo Spot
The gardens and historical elements make for lovely photos, especially in the morning light.
🗺️ Handy Shortcut
Use the park as a convenient and scenic route between Salamanca Place and Davey Street.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors consistently praise St. David's Park as a beautiful, peaceful, and historically significant green space in Hobart. Its well-maintained gardens, central rotunda, and the poignant memorial headstone wall are frequently highlighted as key attractions. It's seen as a perfect spot for a relaxing stroll or a quiet moment amidst the city's bustle.
"A delightful green space near the waterfront. Ot is a delightful space with a large rotunda and lovely trees and plants. There are some very poignant headstones from former graves that have been thoughtfully displayed and set into walls."
G Mac
"I went to this park 3 times in a week when I was at Tasmania. The air was so crispy fresh, the flowers and the greens were so beautiful. I really love it here"
Ebonex Ang
"Good beautiful peaceful park within the city of Hobart nearby Salamanca Market. Nice to stroll around or just relax and soak nature with in hustle and bustle."
Niraj Pradhan
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
St. David's Park is centrally located in Hobart, adjacent to Salamanca Place and along Davey Street. It's easily walkable from the waterfront and many city accommodations.
While direct parking within the park is limited, there are several public car parks nearby, including those around Salamanca Place.
Yes, many local bus routes stop near Salamanca Place, making it easily accessible via public transport. Check local Tasmanian transport schedules for details.
St. David's Park is a great stop during a day trip to Hobart, especially if you're visiting Salamanca Market. It's a compact and easily explored area.
The park is best explored on foot. Allow about 30-60 minutes to wander through the gardens and read the historical markers.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
No, St. David's Park is a public park and entry is completely free for all visitors.
As a public park, St. David's Park is generally open from dawn until dusk. There are no specific closing times posted.
No booking is required. You can visit St. David's Park at any time during daylight hours without prior reservation.
While official guided tours are not common, you can learn about the park's history through the information on the headstones and monuments.
The park has paved pathways and well-maintained lawns, making it generally accessible. However, some areas might have slight inclines.
🎫 🌿 Onsite Experience
You can explore the memorial headstone wall, admire the gardens and rotunda, and discover historical tombs. It's a peaceful place for a stroll or relaxation.
Absolutely! The combination of historical elements, beautiful gardens, and the rotunda offers many picturesque opportunities.
Yes, St. David's Park is a lovely spot for a picnic. There are open lawns and benches available for visitors to use.
Public restrooms are typically available nearby, especially around the Salamanca Place area. It's advisable to check local signage for exact locations.
It was Hobart's original cemetery from 1804 to 1872, serving as the burial ground for early settlers. It was later transformed into a park.
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
There are no dining facilities directly within St. David's Park itself. However, numerous cafes and restaurants are located just outside the park in the Salamanca Place area.
The Salamanca Place precinct offers a wide variety of dining options, from casual cafes and pubs to more upscale restaurants, serving diverse cuisines.
Yes, bringing your own food for a picnic is highly encouraged and a popular activity for visitors enjoying the park's green spaces.
Yes, the Salamanca area has many cafes that open early and offer excellent breakfast options, perfect before or after visiting the park.
Popular choices include pubs for classic fare and restaurants offering fresh Tasmanian produce. Exploring Salamanca Place will reveal many options to suit your taste.
📸 📸 Photography
Early morning offers soft light and fewer crowds, ideal for capturing the serene atmosphere. Late afternoon can also provide beautiful golden hour light.
The memorial headstone wall, the rotunda, the well-manicured gardens, and the historical tombs are all excellent subjects for photography.
Drone usage in public parks is often restricted. It's best to check with Hobart City Council regulations before flying a drone in the area.
A standard DSLR or mirrorless camera with a versatile lens (e.g., 24-70mm) is suitable. A wide-angle lens can be useful for capturing the park's expanse.
Yes, photography of the historical monuments and tombs is permitted for personal use. Please be respectful of the historical nature of the site.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
Pack a picnic to enjoy on the grass, making it a budget-friendly and relaxed outing. The park's manageable size means it won't overwhelm younger children, and the historical elements can spark curiosity about the past.
🚶♀️ Solo Travelers & History Buffs
Take your time to read the inscriptions and imagine the stories behind them. The park's central location also makes it easy to combine with visits to other historical sites in Hobart, such as the nearby Salamanca Place.
📸 Photographers
Aim for the soft light of early morning or late afternoon for the best results. The park's accessibility and diverse visual elements make it a rewarding location for capturing unique shots of Hobart's heritage.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
A Walk Through History: St. David's Park's Past
In the 1970s, the government transformed the neglected grounds into a public park. To preserve the memory of those buried there, the headstones were carefully removed and arranged into a poignant memorial wall, creating a unique and historically rich landscape that visitors can explore today. The park also features a rotunda and well-kept gardens, blending historical significance with natural beauty.
This transformation from a solemn burial ground to a vibrant public space is a testament to the city's ability to honor its past while creating welcoming environments for the present. It offers a quiet yet profound experience for those interested in local history and heritage.
Exploring the Gardens and Monuments
Central to the park's appeal is its elegant rotunda, a popular spot for relaxation and often used for small gatherings or performances. Scattered throughout the park are also a handful of Neo-Gothic style tombs belonging to notable early settlers, adding architectural interest and further historical context. These monuments, alongside the memorial headstone wall, make the park a fascinating place for monument viewing in Hobart.
The park's design also makes it a practical space, serving as a handy shortcut between Davey Street and the Salamanca Place area. This dual function as a historical landmark and a functional urban green space makes St. David's Park a beloved spot for both locals and tourists seeking a moment of peace and reflection.
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