Eat, meet, enjoy: Transforming Collins Street trial launches

Published on 30 May 2025

Hobartians looking to enjoy a bite in the fresh air can now soak up the city buzz right on Collins Street, with the official launch of a vibrant new streetside dining area.

Lined with colourful furniture and leafy greenery, the new space aims to bring life and energy to a strip of much-loved cafes and restaurants, in a communal area where everyone can eat, meet and enjoy.

The opening of the dining space marks the official launch of the two-year Transforming Collins Street tactical trial.

Spread across a 700-metre stretch between Molle and Murray streets, the trial also includes separated cycle lanes, a zebra crossing, fresh greenery, and lower speed limits.

The trial aims to support local businesses and encourage people to spend more time on Collins Street - resulting in a more welcoming CBD and boosting economic activity.

It delivers on a key action from the Hobart Transport Strategy – to make it easier for more people to ride bikes more often, by progressively building a safer, more connected cycling network.

Earlier consultation showed strong support for the direction of the project, with 68 per cent of street users feeling positive about the changes.

Another engagement round will be held one-month post-trial launch, giving the community the chance to provide feedback on how they feel about the changes and their experiences.

Parking in Hobart is about to become easier in Hobart too with the City of Hobart to introduce a web app showing on and off-street parking availability in real time – another step towards making it easier for people to visit the CBD.

For more information, visit our website here.

Quotes to be attributed to City Transport Committee Chair Councillor Ryan Posselt:

“The improvements to Collins Street are centred around being a place for people.

“At its heart is a vision of a desirable place to visit in the city centre. A place that attracts more workers, residents and visitors to enjoy retail or hospitality offerings in the area.

“Now that everything’s in place, I’d encourage everyone to come down, take a ride along the new bike lanes, grab a bite on the dining deck and experience the improvements for yourself.

“Making the city more walkable, bike-friendly and inviting is good for locals, good for business and good for Hobart.

“This is a real trial – we want to see how it works in practice and hear what the community thinks once they’ve had a chance to experience it.”

Quotes to be attributed to Sush business owner David Painter:

“According to Google there are now 15 food businesses on the corner of Collins and Harrington Streets.

“Some chairs and tables and a bit of green is just perfect for us.

“We’re really grateful to the people and the City for improving the vitality right here - suddenly it’s a vibrant and dynamic area.

“We have been here serving real local street food for 20 years.

“We support working with our neighbours and the community to create places where we can live, meeting friends, relaxing, places that people want to come to and grab a bite.”