The best short break stays in Tasmania

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Heritage delights and gems in wild places make these Tassie retreats the ideal base for the weekend.

Scamander Sanctuary Holiday Park, Scamander

This delightfully situated holiday park, located next to a peaceful nature reserve in the seaside town of Scamander, has glamping to suit all comers, from cosy, couple-friendly bell tents to two- and three-bedroom safari tents with all the requisite mod cons.

Scamander Sanctuary Holiday Park, Scamander
Scamander Sanctuary Holiday Park, Scamander.

Head north to explore the likes of Bay of Fires, Binalong Bay and Peron Dunes (all less than 30 minutes away) or south to the penguins at Bicheno. You can also stay put and make the most of the hamlet’s long, uncrowded beaches.

Inside the luxurious glamping tents at Scamander Sanctuary Holiday Park.
Inside the luxurious glamping tents at Scamander Sanctuary Holiday Park.

Thousand Lakes Lodge, Liawenee

This former Antarctic training facility in Tasmania’s Central Highlands is now a stylish wilderness lodge surrounded by World Heritage-listed nature. Perched at the edge of Lake Augusta, Thousand Lakes Lodge (owned by racing legend Marcos Ambrose) has been designed and redeveloped to sit lightly on the landscape, with each of its nine rooms providing unpretentious comfort at the end of a day of walking, fishing or e-biking.

Thousand Lakes Lodge, Liawenee.
Thousand Lakes Lodge, Liawenee. (Image: Alice Hansen)

The Red Feather Inn, Hadspen

One of the joys of a weekend escape in Tassie is the wealth of truly charming accommodation options on offer. Case in point, the Red Feather Inn. Located in Hadspen, just eight kilometres from Launceston, a stay in one of this B&B’s impossibly cute suites and sandstone cottages is like being transported to Somerset or the South of France, with bucolic surrounds and lots of Georgian and French-provincial-style elements. There’s a cooking school and restaurant for in-house guests, so you need never leave.

The Red Feather Inn, Hadspen
The Red Feather Inn, Hadspen. (Image: Tourism Tasmania/ Rob Burnett)

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Piermont Retreat, Swansea

Sitting on the east coast looking out to Great Oyster Bay, Piermont Retreat is a haven of style and substance, with 15 sustainably built stone and wood cottages scattered throughout the existing she-oaks and gum trees, all anchored by the 180-year-old homestead that houses the property’s casually elegant restaurant. Inside, the one-, two- and three-bedroom cottages come with log fires, spa baths and full kitchens, while outside there are two private beaches, a pool, tennis courts and a great swathe of pristine Tasmanian nature to experience including the nearby Freycinet National Park.

Piermont Retreat, Swansea
Piermont Retreat, Swansea.

Freycinet Lodge Coastal Pavilions, Coles Bay

Surrounded by the rugged coastal landscape of Freycinet National Park and towered over by the hulking expanse of The Hazards, Freycinet Lodge’s mix of cabins and rooms cater to all at a range of price points. The crowning glory here, however, are the Coastal Pavilions, a collection of sleek wood, metal and glass pods that offer stunning views out to the waters of Great Oyster Bay, indulgent appointments and complete seclusion.

Freycinet Lodge Coastal Pavilions, Coles Bay
Freycinet Lodge Coastal Pavilions, Coles Bay. (Image: RACT Destinations)

Moss Hotel, Hobart

Right on the waterfront at Salamanca Place, this boutique hotel’s sleek, modern interiors have been retro-fitted into a collection of original sandstone buildings. The moss-inspired colour scheme runs throughout, with bathrooms decked out in glossy green tiles a standout, layered with everything from cushions to bespoke furniture and artworks by local Tasmanian artists and designers. The shiny red apples on the bedside tables are a cute touch.

Moss Hotel, Hobart.
Moss Hotel, Hobart. (Supplied)
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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.