Ten important skateboard spots in Hobart, Australia
1. North Hobart Skate Park
The North Hobart Skate Park is arguably the centerpiece of Hobart’s skateboarding scene. Located just a few minutes from the city center, it is a haven for skaters of all levels. The park was revamped in recent years, receiving a modern upgrade with smooth concrete surfaces, wide transitions, and a variety of bowls. It has multiple quarter pipes, ledges, rails, and gaps, offering something for every type of skater.
This park is known for its large, fast-flowing bowl which is great for transition skaters and those who love speed and carving. Beginners can also enjoy the open plaza area with smaller ledges and rails to practice their tricks. Hobart Skate Park regularly hosts events and competitions, making it a hub of activity in the Tasmanian skate scene.
2. Cornelian Bay Skate Park
Cornelian Bay Skate Park is another must-visit spot for skateboarders in Hobart. Situated near the scenic Cornelian Bay waterfront, this park offers an outdoor space that’s not just fun for skating but also provides a beautiful backdrop.
The park has a solid selection of street features, including flat rails, ledges, and a variety of banked ramps. One of the standout features of Cornelian Bay Skate Park is its flow, which allows skaters to link lines together for longer runs. This makes it popular for technical skaters who enjoy linking tricks on various obstacles. The combination of street elements and ramps makes it accessible to skaters at different levels, from beginners to more experienced riders.
3. Glenorchy Skate Park
Located a short drive from the Hobart city center, Glenorchy Skate Park is another great spot to explore. This park features a wide range of obstacles that cater to both street and transition skaters. The bowl here is a fan favorite, offering a smooth ride and plenty of opportunities for flow-based skating.
Glenorchy Skate Park also has a number of street elements such as stair sets, rails, and manual pads, making it a great spot for skaters who want to work on their technical skills. Its location, just off the Derwent River, provides a nice backdrop, and the park is often buzzing with local skaters of all ages. The welcoming atmosphere here makes it a popular spot for both solo sessions and group meetups.
4. Rosny Skate Park
Rosny Skate Park, located on the eastern shore of Hobart, is a more low-key but equally exciting spot to skate. It’s a favorite for locals, particularly for those who want to avoid the crowds that can sometimes pack the bigger parks closer to the city. The park itself features a good mix of elements, with a bowl, quarter pipes, and ledges scattered throughout. The bowl is smaller than some of the other parks, making it more accessible to beginner skaters who want to practice transition skating.
Street skaters can also enjoy the flat rails, banks, and manual pads that are perfect for working on flip tricks and grinds. Rosny Skate Park may not be as well-known as some of the larger parks, but its relaxed atmosphere and variety of features make it an excellent spot for skaters of all skill levels.
5. Long Beach Skate Park
For those who prefer skating in a more scenic and relaxed environment, Long Beach Skate Park in Sandy Bay is the place to be. Nestled near the water, this park offers a combination of street obstacles and smooth transitions. The park is relatively small, but what it lacks in size, it makes up for with charm.
The mini ramp is the star of the show here, making Long Beach Skate Park a favorite for transition skaters who want to practice their flow and technical tricks. The surrounding area is quiet, with a nearby beach, which provides a perfect spot to relax after a long session. While the features here may not be as advanced as other parks, it’s the peaceful setting and laid-back vibe that make Long Beach a hidden gem in the Hobart skate scene.
6. Battery Point
Battery Point is known for its historic charm, but it's also home to some excellent street skating opportunities along its scenic foreshore. The area is lined with smooth, flat paths, ledges, and small sets of stairs that are perfect for skaters who enjoy more technical skating. It’s not a traditional skate park, but its urban terrain offers plenty of chances to be creative with your lines.
Skaters often head here for the stunning views of the harbor and the chilled-out atmosphere. It’s also a popular spot for sunset sessions, with the Tasman Bridge visible in the distance. Just be mindful that Battery Point is a residential area, so skaters should be respectful of their surroundings.
7. South Hobart Rivulet Skate Path
For skaters who love cruising and downhill runs, the South Hobart Rivulet Skate Path is a unique and exhilarating spot. This path runs along the Hobart Rivulet and provides a smooth, scenic route with slight downhill sections that are perfect for longboarders and cruising skaters. It’s a great place for skaters who want to cover some distance and enjoy the surrounding nature as they ride.
The path is also suitable for less experienced skaters who want to practice their balance and cruising skills in a relaxed environment. With its gentle inclines and wide-open spaces, the South Hobart Rivulet Path is perfect for a laid-back skate session with friends or a solo ride to clear your head.
8. Taroona Skate Bowl
Taroona, a suburb south of Hobart, is home to one of the region’s lesser-known but highly respected skate spots: the Taroona Skate Bowl. This bowl is known for its steep walls and fast transitions, making it a challenging spot for experienced skaters who enjoy pushing their limits. The bowl’s design caters to flow-based skating, with deep transitions and a smooth surface that allows skaters to maintain speed as they carve through.
Because it’s tucked away from the city center, Taroona Skate Bowl is often quieter than other Hobart skate parks. This makes it a perfect spot for skaters who want to work on their skills in a more focused environment, without the distractions of a busy park. Its scenic location near the Derwent River only adds to the appeal.
9. Bellerive Boardwalk
For street skaters who want to explore Hobart’s urban terrain, Bellerive Boardwalk is a hotspot. While not a skate park, the boardwalk and surrounding areas offer plenty of opportunities for street skating. The smooth pavement, ledges, and stairs in the area make it a popular place for skaters who enjoy hitting natural obstacles and testing their technical skills.
The boardwalk itself runs along the waterfront, offering stunning views of the city and the water. This location is particularly popular during the warmer months, when skaters can enjoy a long session before cooling off by the water. Because it’s a public area, skaters should be respectful of pedestrians, but overall, it’s a great spot for some creative street skating in an open, scenic setting.
10. Knocklofty Reserve
Knocklofty Reserve, located just outside of the Hobart city center, isn’t your typical skate spot. Instead, it's a favorite for downhill skaters and longboarders who enjoy the thrill of speed. The reserve offers steep, winding roads that challenge even the most experienced downhill riders.
Skaters who come to Knocklofty are drawn by the long, fast runs and tight corners that test their control and balance. The surrounding bushland provides a serene backdrop, and the lack of traffic on many of the reserve’s roads makes it a relatively safe spot for downhill skating. While this spot may not be suitable for beginners, advanced skaters looking for an adrenaline rush will find Knocklofty to be one of the most exciting places to skate in Hobart.
Skateboarding is tribal and most locals are welcoming, but if you're new to a spot, or just passing through, have respect for the locals. Listen. Be smart. Have fun.
A human being
Art can change the world – and everybody is an artist. Those who scribble stickmen. Those who paint chapel ceilings. Those who tattoo biceps. Those who are careful with pigment on canvas. Those who create fantasy characters. Those who paint pet portraits. Those who yarn bomb. Those who write poems on crappy old cardboard.
My art lives on the bottom of skateboard decks. It's designed for you to destroy. For you, the rider, my art may come second to the deck’s ability to perform – and that’s awesome. To me, art comes first. Always.
It’s how I think. It’s who I am. It’s what I am.
A machine
This article has been created with the help of artificial intelligence platforms ChatGPT and Bard. If there are inaccuracies or there are opportunities for improvement, please let me know.
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