Information
Landmark: Wrest Point CasinoCity: Hobart
Country: Australia
Continent: Australia
Wrest Point Casino, Hobart, Australia, Australia
Overview
Wrest Point Casino, perched on the banks of Hobart’s sparkling Derwent River, is a Tasmanian icon and Australia’s first legal casino.It opened in 1973 and belongs to the Federal Group, which runs several gaming spots across Tasmania, including ones where the hum of slot machines fills the air.The casino draws both tourists and locals, with slot machines humming, restaurants serving fresh seafood, lively events, and sweeping views over Hobart’s sparkling waterfront.Number one.History and Significance, Opening and Legacy: Wrest Point Casino carved its name into Australian history as the nation’s first legally licensed casino, opening its doors with the bright clink of coins and the low murmur of eager guests.Before it opened, casinos were off-limits in Australia, so its launch marked a turning point in the nation’s gambling laws-like flipping a neon sign from “closed” to “open” for the first time.The Federal Group dreamed up the casino, hoping to draw tourists to Tasmania with a lively mix of flashing slot machines and entertainment under one roof.When Wrest Point opened, it gave the local economy a real boost and drew more visitors-hotel rooms filled, and the waterfront buzzed with life.The casino takes its name from Wrest Point, a Hobart landmark with a storied past and sweeping views over the Derwent River.A grand house once stood here, its tall windows catching the afternoon light, and it soon became a favorite meeting place for Hobart’s upper class.In the end, they tore down the old house, clearing the way for the bright lights and noise of the new casino.Number two.Wrest Point Casino sits right on the waterfront, with sweeping views of Hobart, Mount Wellington (Kunanyi), and the shimmering Derwent River.It’s a one‑of‑a‑kind spot, where you can take in Hobart’s breathtaking scenery by day and watch the hills glow under the stars at night.The casino’s striking tower rises high above the rooftops, making it one of Hobart’s most recognizable landmarks.The building blends sleek modern lines with timeless classic details, standing out sharply against the river’s shimmer and the dark rise of the mountains.Three.At Wrest Point Casino, you can try your luck at classic table games like roulette, blackjack, and poker, or settle in at one of the many flashing electronic gaming machines.You’ll find spaces for laid-back players and high rollers alike, from a quiet corner with worn felt tables to the bright, high-stakes section, so everyone feels welcome.The casino throws lively poker tournaments and hosts special events that draw in every kind of enthusiast, from casual players to those chasing the clink of high-stakes chips.Live Entertainment and Events: Beyond the casino floor, Wrest Point’s famous for its lively shows and concerts, from jazz in a cozy lounge to big-name acts under bright stage lights.The casino offers live music, stage plays, and a variety of special events-from glittering cabaret shows to comedy nights and evenings spotlighting local talent.The venue’s Banquet Room and Function Centre often host corporate gatherings, weddings, and lively celebrations, from board meetings to champagne toasts.The Showroom at Wrest Point hosts big-name live acts and can pack in about 1,000 people, enough to feel the floor hum when the bass kicks.The venue often hosts national and international acts-musicians, comedians, even full-stage plays-filling the room with everything from pounding drumbeats to bursts of laughter.Number four.At Wrest Point Casino, you can choose from a wide mix of restaurants and bars, from a quiet corner with soft candlelight to bustling spots alive with chatter.One standout is The Point Revolving Restaurant, perched on the top floor, where guests can savor fine dining while the floor slowly turns, revealing sweeping views of the city lights, the river, and Mount Wellington.It’s ideal for celebrating something special, savoring rich flavors while the sun dips behind the horizon.Casino Bar serves up cold drinks and light bites in a laid-back space, perfect for kicking back after a round at the tables or an evening show.Restaurants and cafés at Wrest Point go beyond The Point, with laid-back bistros and coffee spots serving everything from freshly grilled local salmon to fragrant international fare.They’re ideal if you want a relaxed place to eat, the kind where you can linger over a plate of warm bread and laugh without worrying about formality.Five.Wrest Point Hotel offers luxury rooms for guests who want to stay on-site, some with sweeping views of the harbor at sunset.At Wrest Point Hotel, you can book anything from a simple, comfortable room to a deluxe suite with crisp white sheets and a view of the water.Several rooms open onto sweeping views of the Derwent River, Mount Wellington, and the bustling Hobart waterfront, where fishing boats rock gently in the tide.The hotel offers plenty of ways to unwind, from swimming a few laps in the warm indoor pool to working up a sweat in the gym or melting into a spa treatment.Guests can wander from the casino’s bright lights to cozy bars, sample local dishes at the restaurants, and catch live shows-everything right on-site, making it an easy, lively spot to explore Hobart from.Number six stood alone, sharp as a chalk mark on the board.Wrest Point Casino’s Conferences and Functions space is a go‑to spot for corporate events, from board meetings with fresh coffee to large-scale gatherings and celebrations.Its flexible rooms and seasoned planners handle it all, from a quick morning meeting over coffee to a packed, buzzing conference hall.The venue provides audio-visual gear, banquet service, and hands-on event coordination, making sure guests enjoy a smooth, well-run experience from the first handshake to the last toast.Seven.Wrest Point sits about ten minutes from Hobart’s city center, so you can hop in a car, grab a taxi, or catch a bus and be there before your coffee cools.Guests will find plenty of parking right on-site, and the Hobart waterfront is just a short stroll away, where you can hear gulls calling over the water.You can also reach the casino by ferry, with boats gliding up the Derwent River and giving passengers sweeping views of the water as they head to the venue.It’s the number eight, shaped like two small circles stacked on top of each other.Wrest Point Casino has picked up plenty of awards over the years, celebrating its warm hospitality, top-notch gaming, and lively entertainment-think glittering shows under bright stage lights.It’s one of Tasmania’s top spots for tourism and entertainment, drawing crowds that fuel the local economy and offering visitors a first-rate experience-think lively music, bright lights, and the hum of conversation.Nine.Wrest Point Casino welcomes visitors all year, but the place really buzzes in summer-December through February-when Hobart’s streets fill with travelers and the harbor smells faintly of salt and fish.Still, it bursts to life during big occasions like New Year’s Eve, when fireworks crackle over the harbor, and Hobart’s lively Festival of Voices.Gaming Hours: The casino never closes, running games around the clock, so you can play at dawn with a coffee in hand or chase the thrill well past midnight.Ten.In short, Wrest Point Casino isn’t just about the tables-it’s a lively hub where you can play a hand of blackjack, savor a perfectly seared steak, catch a live show, and settle into a room with sweeping views of the Derwent River and Hobart’s lights.Whether you’re here for cocktails under the glittering lights, a once‑in‑a‑lifetime celebration, or a weekend of indulgence, Wrest Point delivers an experience you’ll remember in one of Tasmania’s most stunning spots.
