It is the oldest part of Hobart and includes many of the city's important institutions and landmarks, such as Parliament, the Supreme Court, Franklin Square, the Elizabeth Street Mall, the Royal Hobart Hospital, the Theatre Royal, Odeon Theatre, State Library, the NAB Building, the Museum, and the Cenotaph.

The website outlines four general goals to:[4] Despite its location between mountains and water, Hobart has the lowest population density of a state capital in Australia which is further reflected by the city centre containing little housing.

[5] The Hobart central business district draws a sense of its identity from its location between the Derwent River and the foothills of Mount Wellington.

Davey and Macquarie streets form a one-way couplet carrying traffic between Hobart's major highways along the CBD's southern fringe.

Every December, the city hosts the conclusion of the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race while concurrently holding the Taste Festival.

Every January the city hosts the Australian Wooden Boat Festival and the annual Royal Hobart Regatta is held during February.