Qibla · Tasmania
Qibla direction in Hobart
To face the Kaaba in Hobart, turn to 275.0° measured clockwise from true north, which is west (5.0° north of west). The Sacred Mosque in Mecca lies 13,008 km away along the shortest path over the globe, and this is the direction the mihrabs of the mosques in Hobart should follow.
The compass rose shows the Qibla of Hobart as a needle at 275.0°. With a phone app set to true north, simply turn until it reads 275°. A traditional magnetic compass also works, provided you allow for the local difference between magnetic and true north.
Find the Qibla with your phone
How to face the Qibla in Hobart
Stand where you will pray and find north first. Then turn towards west and move a further 5.0° towards north: the result is the bearing of 275.0°. The direction is close to due west, which makes it easy to remember.
The scholars distinguish two cases: the one who sees the Kaaba aims at the building itself, while the one who cannot see it, as anywhere in Hobart, aims at its direction as well as he reasonably can. Comparing with the mihrab of a local mosque is a quick way to confirm the result. If you travel or move house, check the angle again, since it changes from place to place.
Why a flat map shows a different direction
This is a place where maps mislead badly: a straight line on a flat map from Hobart to Mecca points to 302.9° (north-west), a full 27.9° away from the true Qibla of 275.0° (west). The map line keeps one compass heading and is 163 km longer than the great-circle route. Because the Earth is a sphere, the shortest way to Mecca from Hobart first heads west, and that is the direction to face.
The value of 275.0° is the direction in which the shortest route from 42.8794° S, 147.3294° E sets off towards the Kaaba at 21.4225° N, 39.8262° E. Every accurate Qibla calculator, and the plans of well-oriented mosques, arrive at the same angle for this point.
Distance from Hobart to Mecca and Medina
Mecca is 13,008 km from Hobart as the crow flies, and Medina, the city of the Prophet ﷺ, is 13,232 km away. A direct flight would take roughly 15 h 48 min, although most pilgrims from Hobart connect through Jeddah or Medina airport.
Clocks in Hobart run 8 hours ahead of Mecca in winter and 7 hours ahead of Mecca in summer, because of daylight saving time. Prayer times, however, depend on the sun at your own location, so always use the prayer times of Hobart rather than those of Mecca.
Finding the Qibla with the sun in Hobart
On 185 days of 2027, the sun passes exactly through the Qibla direction of Hobart while it is well above the horizon. At that moment, facing the sun means facing Mecca. The effect is most frequent in January (31 days); for example, on 1 January 2027 it happens at 16:57 local time.
On 145 days the sun stands exactly opposite the Qibla: then the shadow of any vertical object, a pole, a door frame or a plumb line, points straight towards Mecca. This is most frequent in January (31 days), for instance on 1 January 2027 at 08:33.
| Date | Sun in the Qibla direction (face the sun) | Sun opposite (shadows point to the Qibla) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 January 2027 | 16:57 | 08:33 |
| 15 January 2027 | 17:13 | 08:29 |
| 1 February 2027 | 17:38 | 08:13 |
| 15 February 2027 | 18:00 | 07:52 |
| 1 March 2027 | 18:21 | 07:28 |
| 15 March 2027 | 18:41 | — |
| 1 April 2027 | — | — |
| 15 April 2027 | — | — |
| 1 May 2027 | — | — |
| 15 May 2027 | — | — |
| 1 June 2027 | — | — |
| 15 June 2027 | — | — |
| 1 July 2027 | — | — |
| 15 July 2027 | — | — |
| 1 August 2027 | — | — |
| 15 August 2027 | — | — |
| 1 September 2027 | — | — |
| 15 September 2027 | — | — |
| 1 October 2027 | 17:18 | — |
| 15 October 2027 | 17:51 | 07:03 |
| 1 November 2027 | 17:22 | 07:28 |
| 15 November 2027 | 17:03 | 07:49 |
| 1 December 2027 | 16:49 | 08:11 |
| 15 December 2027 | 16:47 | 08:25 |
Twice a year the sun passes directly over the Kaaba, on 28 May 2027 and 16 July 2027. Both happen at night in Hobart (19:18 and 19:27 local time), so they cannot be used here. Instead, on 14 January 2027 at 08:29 and 29 November 2027 at 08:09 the sun is over the point opposite the Kaaba, and every vertical shadow in Hobart points straight to Mecca.
Hobart compared with other cities
Compared with Canberra, 859 km away, the Qibla in Hobart is turned 2.8° further anticlockwise (275.0° against 277.8°), and Mecca is 61 km closer. The nearest city with its own Qibla page, Geelong (583 km), prays towards 279.0°, a difference of 4.0°.
Among the 21 cities in Australia on this site, Hobart has the smallest Qibla bearing; the largest is 295.5° in Mandurah. Across the country the direction varies by 20.5°.
See all cities on the Qibla page for Australia.
Qibla in cities near Hobart
Qibla in Hobart: questions and answers
What is the Qibla direction in Hobart?
It is 275.0° from true north, which is west: 5.0° north of west.
How far is Hobart from Mecca?
13,008 km in a straight line over the globe, and 13,232 km to Medina.
When does the sun show the Qibla in Hobart?
On 185 days of 2027 the sun stands in the Qibla direction; the table on this page gives the exact time for the 1st and 15th of each month.
Why is the Qibla in Hobart not the direction shown on a map?
Flat maps distort directions. The line on a map points to 302.9°, but the shortest route on the globe leaves Hobart at 275.0°, and that is the Qibla.
Does the Qibla change during the year?
No. The direction of 275.0° is fixed; only the times when the sun lines up with it change from day to day.