Best for
- History and culture enthusiasts
- Couples seeking a distinctive Hobart base
- First-time visitors wanting easy waterfront access
MACq 01
Where Tasmania's stories come alive on the Hobart waterfront
Heritage storytelling meets contemporary waterfront style
- 114 individually themed rooms, each telling a Tasmanian story through original artworks
- Prime waterfront location on Macquarie Wharf, walking distance to Salamanca and MONA ferry
- Part of the MAC01 Complex with multiple dining venues including Arras and The Old Wharf restaurants
Boutique Hotel · Hobart
The luxury case for MACq 01.
Australia's first storytelling hotel, MACq 01 occupies a prime waterfront position on Hobart's historic Macquarie Wharf. Each of the 114 rooms is themed around a Tasmanian character or moment in history, with striking original artworks, quality furnishings, and locally sourced cuisine weaving heritage into every detail.
The mood
Heritage storytelling meets contemporary waterfront style
Ideal stay
2 to 3 nights
Why it earns the rate
The combination of a one-of-a-kind storytelling concept, waterfront position, and Hobart's best dining precinct on the doorstep makes it a compelling base for exploring southern Tasmania.
There is a particular kind of hotel that refuses to be anonymous. MACq 01, perched on Hobart's Macquarie Wharf with the harbour stretching out in front and kunanyi/Mount Wellington rising behind, is one of those. Billing itself as Australia's first storytelling hotel, it threads real Tasmanian history through every one of its 114 rooms, each themed around a different character: convicts, pioneers, artists, and First Nations warriors whose stories shaped the island. The result is a property that feels genuinely rooted in place rather than simply occupying a good address.
The rooms range from Premium Rooms with city outlooks to Hunter Street Rooms with harbour views and Storytelling Suites with separate living areas and panoramic waterfront aspects. Every category shares the same attention to detail: original commissioned artworks, quality Tasmanian furnishings, and a minibar stocked with local produce. The Hunter Street Room is the sweet spot for most visitors, offering a generous floor plan and water views without stepping up to suite pricing.
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Design here is driven by narrative rather than a single aesthetic template. Each room tells a different story, so no two feel identical, though all share a contemporary warmth anchored by local timbers, textiles, and art. Bathrooms are well finished, beds are comfortable, and the harbour-facing rooms catch morning light beautifully. For those who want the full experience, the Storytelling Suites offer more space to appreciate the concept, with separate living areas and the most fully developed design narratives in the building.
MACq 01 sits within the larger MAC01 Complex, which means dining options extend well beyond a single hotel restaurant. Arras is the refined choice, with a seasonally driven menu built around the best of Tasmanian produce: cool-climate seafood, game, and vegetables from artisan growers. The Old Wharf takes a more casual approach, serving straightforward dishes with harbour views that make it a natural spot for long lunches. The Story Bar continues the narrative theme through its cocktail list, showcasing Tasmanian spirits from small-batch gin distillers to the island's rapidly maturing whisky producers. Evolve Spirits Bar rounds out the offering with a dedicated focus on Australian and international spirits.
Breakfast deserves a mention: the kitchen's access to Tasmanian dairy, eggs, and smoked produce makes it a genuinely good start to the day rather than a hotel formality.
MACq 01 earns its place by doing something no other Australian hotel does quite as well: turning local history into a hospitality experience that feels considered rather than gimmicky. The waterfront location is among Hobart's best, placing Salamanca Place, Constitution Dock, the Brooke Street Pier MONA ferry terminal, and the city centre all within walking distance. For a first visit to Hobart, or for anyone who wants a base that reflects where they are rather than looking like it could be anywhere, MACq 01 is a strong and distinctive choice.
Is It For You?
Is MACq 01 right for you?
Less ideal if
- Travellers wanting a wilderness or resort setting
- Guests seeking a traditional luxury spa hotel
Atmosphere
Narrative-driven and artistic, with a warm rather than formal tone
Ideal stay
Weekend (2-3 nights)
Why splurge
The combination of a one-of-a-kind storytelling concept, waterfront position, and Hobart's best dining precinct on the doorstep makes it a compelling base for exploring southern Tasmania.
Rooms
Rooms & suites
Editorial pickHunter Street Room for a comfortable stay with harbour views; Storytelling Suite for the full narrative experience.
Premium Room
A well-appointed base with the same storytelling concept and quality furnishings as higher categories, at a more accessible price point.
- Size
- From 30 sqm
- View
- City or partial harbour views
- Sleeps
- 2 adults
- Best for
- Short city stays and solo travellers
- Individual Tasmanian story theme
- Original artworks
- Quality local furnishings
Hunter Street Room
The sweet spot in the range, offering harbour views and a more generous floor plan while keeping the storytelling character intact.
- Size
- Approx. 35 sqm
- View
- Harbour and waterfront views
- Sleeps
- 2 adults
- Best for
- Couples and longer Hobart stays
- Harbour views
- Larger floor plan
- Tasmanian story theming
- Local produce minibar
Storytelling Suite
The flagship room category, with a separate living area and the most fully realised Tasmanian narrative woven into every design detail.
- Size
- From 50 sqm
- View
- Panoramic harbour and waterfront views
- Sleeps
- 2 adults
- Best for
- Special occasions and immersive storytelling seekers
- Separate living area
- Panoramic harbour views
- Full storytelling experience
- Premium local amenities
Eat and Drink
Dining
The restaurants, bars, and rituals that shape how the hotel feels after the room itself.
Start here
Arras
A refined dining destination within the MAC01 Complex, Arras showcases the best of Tasmanian produce with a contemporary approach. The menu changes seasonally and draws on the island's exceptional seafood, game, and artisan producers.
- Go here for
- Seasonal Tasmanian produce-driven menu with an emphasis on local provenance
- Expect
- Refined but relaxed, with an emphasis on the food and local wine
- Book ahead
- Book ahead for dinner, especially on weekends and during peak Hobart season.
Then try
The Old Wharf
A more casual waterfront dining option with a focus on accessible, locally sourced dishes. The setting on the wharf gives it an immediate connection to the harbour and the working port.
- Go here for
- Casual waterfront dining with harbour views and local seafood
- Expect
- Relaxed, harbour-side, and family-friendly
For cocktails
The Story Bar
The hotel's signature bar continues the storytelling theme through its cocktail list and design. Local Tasmanian spirits feature prominently, including gin, whisky, and cider from small-batch producers.
- Go here for
- Tasmanian spirits and narrative-inspired cocktails
- Expect
- Intimate, warmly lit, and conversation-friendly
For cocktails
Evolve Spirits Bar
A dedicated spirits bar within the MAC01 Complex, offering an extensive collection of Australian and international spirits with a strong Tasmanian whisky focus.
- Go here for
- Tasmanian whisky collection and local spirit flights
- Expect
- Polished and spirits-focused
What to Do
Signature Experiences
The on-property or destination moments that justify choosing this hotel over a generic luxury base.
Morning, before the waterfront gets busy
Hobart Storytelling Walking Tour
A guided walking tour of Hobart's waterfront and historic districts, connecting the characters depicted in the hotel's rooms to the real places where their stories unfolded.
Saturday morning, 8:30am to early afternoon
Salamanca Market morning
A Saturday morning stroll through one of Australia's best outdoor markets, a short walk from the hotel along the waterfront.
Morning departure for a full day
MONA ferry from Brooke Street Pier
Catch the ferry from the pier next door to the Museum of Old and New Art, one of Australia's most distinctive cultural experiences.
Location
Getting to MACq 01
Short drive from Hobart Airport with ample parking available. The waterfront location means you can walk to most of Hobart's key attractions from the front door.
Salamanca Place
5 min
WalkBrooke Street Pier (MONA ferry)
3 min
WalkHobart Airport
20 min
CarSalamanca Place
CultureHistoric sandstone warehouses housing galleries, restaurants, and Tasmania's most famous Saturday market.
5 min walkMONA (Museum of Old and New Art)
CultureAustralia's largest private museum, a ferry ride away and one of the country's most distinctive cultural attractions.
25 min ferryConstitution Dock
LandmarkThe finish line for the Sydney to Hobart yacht race and a working fishing harbour with floating seafood punts.
3 min walkWhat to Know
Before you book
What makes MACq 01 different from a standard boutique hotel?
Every room is themed around a real Tasmanian historical character, with original artworks and design details that tell their story. It is a genuine concept hotel rather than a property that simply calls itself boutique.
Is it a good base for exploring wider Tasmania?
Yes. The waterfront location gives easy access to day trips to Bruny Island, Port Arthur, and the Huon Valley, while keeping you in the heart of Hobart for evenings.
Which room category is the smartest booking?
A Hunter Street Room offers the best balance of harbour views and value. The storytelling suites are worth it for a special occasion.
Editorial Verdict
The verdict on MACq 01
Why book it
- Genuinely unique storytelling concept with original artworks in every room
- Prime waterfront location within walking distance of Salamanca, MONA ferry, and Constitution Dock
- Multiple quality dining venues within the MAC01 Complex
Know the trade-offs
- No spa or pool facilities on site
- Some rooms face the city rather than the harbour
Explore the Area
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