Tasmanian Museum & Art Gallery

In a sprawling complex of colonial-era buildings between Davey St and Macquarie St, the Tasmanian Museum & Art Gallery (TMAG; tmag.tas.gov.au; free) is quintessentially Hobart, zeroing in on Tasmanian history, art, culture and natural science. Learn about the ill-fated thylacine (Tasmanian tiger) and the Black War between the colonists and Tasmania's Aboriginal people. Come to grips with Hobart's inexorable ties with Antarctica, and learn some words of palawa kani, Tasmania's reconstructed Aboriginal language. Free 40-minute tours run Friday to Sunday and cover art gallery highlights (11am), TMAG's historic buildings (noon) and museum highlights (2pm). Lots of kid-focused exhibitions; cool courtyard cafe. Closed Mondays April to December.