Sandy Bay Tasmania Profile
Wrest Point Hobart for Families: Sandy Bay Waterfront Stays
We review Wrest Point in Sandy Bay from a budget-conscious family perspective. As Australia's first casino hotel site, this Derwent River property combines indoor swimming, free parking, direct waterfront lawns and clear boundaries between family spaces and restricted gaming areas.
Illustrations, not photographs
Ranking · The ten · Wrest Point
#7
Getting thereHow it scores for a family
- Pools and water17 / 25Indoor heated pool offers reliable, year-round swimming regardless of Hobart weather, though lacks outdoor slides or splash pads.
- Non-gaming and outdoors14 / 20Spacious riverfront lawns and foreshore walkways give kids outdoor room, but organized youth activities are limited.
- Family rooms and policies as published11 / 15Three accommodation wings offer twin-bed options for varying budgets, from the 3.5-star Motor Inn to 4.5-star Tower rooms.
- Beach/waterfront/setting12 / 15Direct Derwent River foreshore position in Sandy Bay provides pleasant views and open green spaces.
- Food for a family11 / 15Five dining venues range from casual bistro and café meals to the iconic revolving 17th-floor restaurant.
- Transparency7 / 10Clear published information on free parking and room categories, though total property room count is omitted on official pages.
Australia's First Casino Hotel on the Derwent River
When Wrest Point opened on 10 February 1973, it became Australia's first licensed casino hotel. Owned and operated by Federal Group, the resort sits directly on the foreshore of the River Derwent in Sandy Bay, just south of Hobart's central business district. The 17-storey tower remains Tasmania's tallest building and forms a prominent landmark on the water.
For families touring Tasmania, Wrest Point occupies a distinct place in the family ranking. While large mainland complexes focus on sprawling outdoor lagoon pools or mega entertainment complexes, Wrest Point provides a quieter, enclosed waterfront base. The property separates its hotel towers, restaurants, indoor pool and lawns from the gaming floor, making it straightforward to navigate with children without approaching 18-plus zones.
We look at properties based on real family practicalities rather than marketing hype. Our evaluation follows how we rank casino resorts across Australia, penalising hidden fees and weighing up genuine family value like free parking, pool access and room choice.
Family Room Options: Tower, Riviera and Motor Inn
Wrest Point contains three distinct accommodation wings on site, providing choices for different travel budgets. Secondary sources list a total of 269 rooms across the resort, though the property's main site does not print an official aggregate figure. You can evaluate the options on the family comparison table alongside other Australian properties.
The 4.5-star Tower houses Deluxe Mountain King, Deluxe Mountain Twin, Deluxe Harbour King and Deluxe Harbour Twin rooms. Lower floors (floors 1 to 4) host the Deluxe Mountain Twin layouts, while higher floors present sweeping views over Sandy Bay, Mount Wellington or the River Derwent. The Tower also features Harbour Suites and Deluxe Accessible King rooms equipped with automated doors and shower rails.
The 4-star Water Edge wing (also known as the Riviera wing) extends along the riverbank, featuring Water Edge King and Water Edge Twin options. These mid-tier rooms offer direct water proximity and short indoor walking distances to dining venues. Budget-conscious families often look at the 3.5-star Motor Inn wing, which provides practical Motor Inn Rooms at lower price points while retaining full access to resort amenities, including the pool and free parking.
Indoor Heated Pool and Derwent River Waterfront
Hobart's southern climate makes indoor water features essential for year-round family travel. Wrest Point features an indoor heated pool, allowing children to swim regardless of atmospheric conditions outside. Discover Tasmania listings also note a sauna and spa area adjacent to the pool, alongside an on-site health and fitness centre for guest use.
Outside the indoor pool deck, the hotel grounds extend directly to the River Derwent foreshore. Broad green lawns and paved waterfront paths let children stretch their legs while watching river traffic, yachts and local waterfowl. Because the pool is fully enclosed, families do not need to worry about seasonal closures or cold southern winds during winter stays. You can compare this indoor setup with outdoor aquatic spaces in our guide to lagoon pools and swim-up stays across national properties.
Dining as a Family: Revolving Views and Casual Options
Dining at Wrest Point spans five main food venues, giving families a range of formal and casual choices during a stay:
- The Point Revolving Restaurant: Perched on the 17th floor of the Tower, this restaurant rotates slowly above the River Derwent, providing 360-degree views of Hobart, Mount Wellington and the estuary. It serves as a memorable venue for special family dinners.
- Longhorn Smokehouse: Offers hearty, American-style grilled meats and casual meals suitable for family dinners.
- Boardwalk Café: A relaxed spot for quick lunches, morning coffees, light snacks and informal family dining near the waterfront.
- Boardwalk Bistro: Serves accessible, bistro-style meals with river views.
- Kwan Ho: A sit-down restaurant specializing in Asian cuisine, including Sichuan, Shanghainese and Cantonese dishes.
For quick meals on a budget, the Boardwalk Café and Boardwalk Bistro provide uncomplicated food options without requiring advance dining bookings. Parents should note that while bars like the Birdcage Bar, The Green Room Bar and Casino Bar operate on site, family meal service is centered around the dedicated dining rooms and bistro areas.
What Children Can and Cannot Do at Wrest Point
Under Tasmanian law and federal guidelines, state gaming rules strictly prohibit minors under 18 years of age from entering casino gaming floors. At Wrest Point, the gaming facilities—comprising nearly 500 electronic gaming machines, table games (Blackjack, Roulette, Federal Pontoon, Federal Baccarat and Big Wheel), TASkeno and TAB sports betting areas—are strictly restricted to adults.
However, children staying at the hotel are permitted in all standard accommodation wings, the indoor heated pool, public lobby spaces, gardens and family-friendly dining venues like Boardwalk Café, Boardwalk Bistro, Longhorn Smokehouse, Kwan Ho and The Point Revolving Restaurant. The physical layout makes it straightforward for families to walk between their hotel rooms, the pool and the restaurants without approaching the adult-only floor doors. For state-by-state comparisons on minor access and resort rules, review our breakdown on what kids can do at casino resorts.
Parking, Location and Travel Practicalities
A notable advantage of Wrest Point for driving families is parking transparency. The resort publishes free visitor parking for all guests, removing the daily valet or self-park fees common at large inner-city mainland hotels. This makes the resort an economical base for families hiring a rental car at Hobart Airport or arriving in Tasmania via the Spirit of Tasmania ferry through Devonport.
By secondary sources, Hobart Airport in Cambridge sits approximately 17 kilometres north-east of the Hobart CBD. Wrest Point itself does not publish airport shuttle schedules or bus routes on its official site, so families arriving by air should plan for a taxi, rideshare or rental car transfer. The resort's position in Sandy Bay provides clear road access to Hobart's city center, Salamanca Place and Battery Point without navigating dense downtown parking grids. You can explore similar coastal and riverfront casino properties in our guide to casino hotels on the beach.
Our Family Verdict for Wrest Point Hobart
Wrest Point delivers dependable, simple value for families visiting southern Tasmania. The combination of an indoor heated swimming pool, free parking, direct Derwent River lawn access and versatile room categories across three hotel wings provides a reliable waterfront base. While it lacks dedicated indoor games arcades or outdoor water slides, its honest pricing structure and clear physical separation of gaming areas make it a practical choice for a family holiday in Hobart.
To check availability or review current room packages, see the hotel website directly, or get in touch with our desk to help tailor your trip.
Getting there as a family
Wrest Point is on the water at Sandy Bay, 3 km from Hobart's CBD, and parking is free for every guest, which is rare on this list.
- From Hobart Airport (HBA)by car
The hotel says a taxi or rideshare takes around 20 minutes. With a hire car, follow the route below and use the free multi-storey car park, which is undercover on a wet Hobart afternoon.
Route in Google Maps - From Hobart Airport (HBA), SkyBus and Metropublic transport
SkyBus meets the major flights and averages 30 minutes into the city. From the city, Metro routes 402, 422 and 426 to 429 stop at Wrest Point; the timetable puts it roughly 6 to 11 minutes from Hobart Interchange.
Route in Google Maps - From Battery Pointon foot
Battery Point is about a 25-minute walk along the waterfront, a good after-dinner stroll with older kids and a long one with a toddler on your shoulders.
Route in Google Maps
Routes and map: Google Maps. Quoted times are the hotel's or operator's own, checked 29 October 2026.
Our verdict
Pack the car when
You want an affordable, quiet Hobart base with an indoor pool, free parking and direct riverfront lawns without paying inner-city parking rates.
Keep looking when
You require an extensive outdoor water park, organized kids' clubs or an urban city-center location within walking distance of downtown shops.
A practical, family-friendly Hobart base with free parking, indoor swimming and memorable Derwent River views.