7 outdoor adventures to have in Tasmania

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Where to go and what to do in Tasmania when you want to get really wild.

Outdoor adventure lovers have long flocked to Tasmania for its rugged landscapes, wild food, adrenaline-filled hikes and out-of-the-box festivals.

 

But for those who are yet to hit our great southern state, and are keen to unleash their thrill-seeker, here’s your ultimate guide to all things adventure.

1. Dark Mofo festival

Hobart’s mid-winter Dark Mofo festival is a culmination of all the wildest spirits from Australia and around the world, packed with visual and aural delights.

 

This year, outdoor adventurers flocked to the Dark Path, which became THE place for exploring the artistic installations and curiosities that surround the festival.

 

Highlights included the Talisker Wilderness Bar, where you could indulge in a warming seaside experience, taking the opportunity to cosy up in front of the fire with a warming hot toddy in hand.

 

And if you attended the festival’s last weekend, we hope you finished it the way God (and the organisers) intended: naked. Yep, held on Long Beach on the Derwent River, the annual Nude Solstice Swim is the most memorable way to cap off your Dark Mofo experience.

All Dark MOFO experiences are memorable
Watch as Hobart becomes one surreal sensory experience

2. Satellite Island

Ever dreamt on staying on your very own private oasis? If your answer is yes, now is the time to head to Tasmania’s delightfully isolated and luxurious Satellite Island.

 

Once a home to a reclusive poet and writer, it is now on offer as a dreamy coastal-luxe waterside retreat that sleeps up to eight guests.

 

Adventure seekers can take on the 1.5-hour walk along Satellite Island’s ancient Rock Shelf, immersing themselves in the location’s rugged landscape. Then, light a fire on the pebble beach, enjoy the sunset with a dram of whisky and watch the wild seals play.

The alluring gloom of Satellite Island

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3. Pennicott Wilderness Journeys

A trip aboard a Pennicott Wilderness Journeys boat is a must-do not only for adventure lovers but for just about anyone.

 

The Tasmanian Seafood Seduction tour voyages down the Derwent River. Along the journey, your guides will gift you with knowledge of its wildlife, scenery and deserted beaches. However, it’s when you dock that things get really memorable.

 

Not only will you be treated to some of the most incredible seafood in the world, but it will be prepared before your very eyes. Part of the experience will see your guide literally jump in the ocean and snorkel to catch your meal. Talk about farm to table.

A Pennicott Wilderness Journey is as famous as Hobart itself

4. Get Shucked on Bruny Island

When Joe Bennett took a punt on an oyster farm on Tasmania’s Bruny Island (40 kilometres south of Hobart) he couldn’t have predicted how his pristine product would take off. Cultivating Pacific oysters, Get Shucked has been a real Bruny success story and a trip to Tasmania isn’t complete without a taste of its famous morsel.

 

Those in the know recommend engaging in the Talisker oyster ritual, which involves taking a sip of whisky, eating the oyster, then pouring a little whisky into the vacant oyster shell. The whisky gathers up the last of the briny seawater, creating an all-important cocktail of flavours. Thank us later.

Indulge in a Talisker oyster ritual

5. Aurora Australis on Seven Mile Beach

The Northern Lights get all the love when it comes to natural light phenomena but did you know Australia has its own light show – the Aurora Australis?

 

Wanderers seeking a glimpse of the ‘Southern Light’ phenomenon should head to the South Arm Peninsula, 40 kilometres south-east of Hobart.

 

The area is surrounded by beaches with still, wide shallow bays: perfect conditions for capturing reflection shots with waves crashing in the foreground.

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6. Walk the Overland Track

With a route of 65 kilometres tackled over six days, the Overland Track is the country’s superstar trek.

 

The trail is strictly managed on account of its popularity, so visitors will have to book in advance and pay a track fee to Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service.

 

In the walking season from October to May, make your way from the base of Cradle Mountain to Lake St Clair passing through ancient rainforests, glacial valleys, meadows and a dramatic skyline of peaks.

 

This World Heritage area is stunning and encompasses many of the highest peaks in Tasmania. No one returns unchanged.

Walk the overland track

7. Kayak through Coles Bay

With a permanent population of just a few hundred, you’re sure to find enough room to explore Coles Bay at your own pace.

 

Pink granite mountains and dense bushland surround the bay, which makes the view from the water amazing, and sea kayaking is one of the best (and most adventurous) activities on offer here.

 

Watch out for a welcoming pod of dolphins while on the water, or the whales that pass by here on their migration north from Antarctica.

Explore Coles Bay at your own pace
Want to explore more of Tasmania? Here is our ultimate travel guide on the best stays, eats and experiences you can have in Tasmania.
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Why you should visit these iconic Tassie destinations

    Lee Mylne Lee Mylne
    Tasmania’s crisp clear air, misty mountains, lakes and ancient forests beckon as winter approaches.

    Travelling in the off season has many benefits, none more so in Tasmania, where it’s uncrowded and uncomplicated. Ease into winter with a getaway that spells relaxing with a glass of wine or local whisky, bathing under the stars, or gazing at reflections in pristine waters. Add fireside dining, wilderness walks, after-dark gallery visits and plenty of history and you’ve got a curated winter escape designed to make travelling in the quieter months of the year even more rewarding. NRMA Parks and Resorts’ Off Season Signature Packages across Tasmania (plus 10 per cent off for members) make all these things possible.

    Cosy up at Cradle Mountain

    two women walking aorund Cradle Mountain Hotel NRMA Parks and Resorts
    Immerse into the wilderness at Cradle Mountain Hotel.

    For an alpine wilderness experience like no other, chose Cradle Mountain Hotel for a winter getaway. You may even wake up to gently falling snow. Explore nearby Dove Lake, gaze at Cradle Mountain is and listen to the gush of waterfalls.

    As Cradle Mountain works its charm, slow down to enjoy the crisp alpine air away from the hustle of the city. There are no crowds here, just serenity and the chance to recalibrate.

    Cradle Mountain’s Off Season Signature Package includes two or more nights’ accommodation, breakfast daily, a bottle of wine (Retreat rom bookings only) and off-season dessert with dinner. Then sip on mulled wine as you wander through the Wilderness Gallery admiring the work of Tasmanian artists.

    Finding the flavours of Freycinet

    aerial of Freycinet Lodge NRMA Parks and Resorts
    Stay at the only accommodation within beautiful Freycinet National Park.

    As the only accommodation within Freycinet National Park, among the many reasons for staying at Freycinet Lodge is its easy access to stunning Wineglass Bay, Mt Amos and Honeymoon Bay.

    By day it’s the place for communing with nature, taking hikes in some of Tasmania’s most beautiful locations. By night, savour the regional seasonal flavours of the east coast, sip mulled wine to keep out the chill and gaze up at the star-studded skies. This is slow coastal indulgence at its best.

    Freycinet Lodge’s Off Season Signature Package includes two or more nights’ accommodation, breakfast daily, a hosted Flavours of the East Coast food and wine tasting experience and mulled wine under the stars, or beside the fire, after dinner.

    Escape to lakeside Pumphouse Point

    interior of pumphouse point NRMA Parks and Resorts
    Stay cosy while looking out onto Lake St Clair.

    Set on the edge of beautiful Lake St Clair in native bushland in the heart of Tasmania’s Central Highlands, Pumphouse Point has launched a new era for its boutique accommodation with the opening of two new luxury retreat rooms last October.

    Each of the trio of rooms are thoughtfully designed, with an indoor fireplace and deep-soak bathtub, both perfect for a winter escape. This retreat offers dining and an expanded collection of hosted experiences, including a guided tour to learn more about this historic place, chocolate tastings and whisky tasting from local artisans – with more to come later in the season.

    Borrow an e-bike and explore on your own, throw a line in, head off for a hike in the ancient forests that surround the lake, book a relaxing massage, or just settle in for an evening by the fire as the lake works its own magic.

    Pumphouse Point’s Off Season Signature Package includes two or more nights’ accommodation, breakfast, larder lunch and dinner, a bottle of wine with dinner each night, and a chocolate or whisky tasting experience, as well as two $50 massage vouchers.

    Slow down in Strahan Village

    aerial of boat going through strahan tasmania
    Explore UNESCO world heritage wilderness.

    As the gateway to UNESCO world heritage wilderness, picturesque Strahan Village is the ideal base for exploring Tassie’s west coast. With a wide range of accommodation choices, from cosy waterfront colonial-style cottages to hotel rooms with sweeping views over Macquarie Harbour, it’s the perfect place for slow travel.

    Join Gordon River Cruises to explore ancient wilderness and magical reflections on the Gordon River, wander through the village at your own pace or hire a bike to discover local secrets and attractions, including the iconic West Coast Wilderness Railway . Thrill-seekers can hire taboggans to hit the towering Henty Dunes.

    Strahan’s Off Season Signature Package includes two or more nights’ accommodation, a Gordon River cruise for two and mulled wine at Hamer’s Bistro .

    Delve into history in Port Arthur

    interior of glamping tent at Port Arthur Holiday Park NRMA Parks and Resorts
    Glamp under the stars at Port Arthur Holiday Park.

    Spend your evenings glamping under the stars and your days stepping back in time as you explore the captivating stories of the World Heritage listed Port Arthur Historic Site. Port Arthur Holiday Park is the perfect base for exploring the Tasman Peninsula and uncovering the stories of Australia’s colonial and convict past.

    Surrounded by nature and history, this off-season escape has the all the makings of an unforgettable getaway. All glamping tents are heated to keep you warm during the off-season months when the nights get a little cooler, and have private bathrooms. Stargazing tents have the added luxury of an outdoor bath on the verandah.

    The Port Arthur Off Season Signature Package includes two or more nights’ accommodation, a Port Arthur Historic Site tour for two and 10 per cent discount for dining at local restaurant On The Bay during your stay.

    Start planning an unforgetable trip to Tasmania with NRMA Resorts at nrmaparksandresorts.com.au.