Best Things To Do In Tasmania During Winter

Tasmania in winter is pure magic. If heading to Tassie isn’t on your bucket list, it definitely will be after this.

Visiting Tasmania at any time of the year is a sight to behold, but there’s something about winter that stimulates the senses on a whole other level. Tassie has a special feel about it that truly takes hold in winter. The air is crisp, and falling snow dusts the mountains and eucalyptus trees. Festivals celebrate apple cider, chocolate, singing and the winter solstice. Clear nights are ideal for stargazing and seeing the southern lights of the aurora australis. It’s also the perfect season for a sip of Tasmanian whisky by a cosy open fire.

Whatever it is that entices you to a winter trip in Tasmania, there are so many extra surprises that will keep you coming back for more.

1. Experience the southern lights

Did you know Australia has its very own natural phenomenon that rivals the northern lights? Tasmania’s aurora australis, or southern lights, happens when the sun releases a massive burst of solar wind and magnetic fields into space, also known as CME (coronal mass ejections).

The best seat in the house is at McHenry Distillery in Port Arthur, where you’ll not only get to see the Southern Lights, but you’ll be living it up in modern Scandi-style accommodation (with a brand new observatory) that produces an alfresco atmosphere with very little light pollution, granting a great vantage point to witnessing the magic of the Southern Lights.

Purple and pink colours of the Aurora Australis from Strahan. (Image: Dietmar Kahles) — Head down to Tassie to see the Aurora Australis. (Image: Dietmar Kahles)

2. Huon Valley Mid-Winter Festival

In wintertime, the Huon Valley, which lies 40 minutes south-west of Hobart, is cold, dark and foggy, and its agricultural community is prone to a little sleepiness. In an attempt to wake up winter, the Huon Valley Mid-Winter Festival was born.

Held in July at Willie Smith’s Apple Shed – a cider house, cafe, museum and live music venue housed in a rustic barn on the outskirts of Huonville – the Huon Valley Mid-Winter Festival is a pagan-inspired celebration of the region’s apple-growing history.

Cider, paganism, indigenous history and a little bit of costume attire – what more could you want out of winter?

Huon Valley Mid-Winter Festival bonfire — The Huon Valley Mid-Winter Festival is a pagan-inspired celebration. (Image: Lusy Productions)

3. Tasmanian Whisky Week

Tasmania is the whisky destination of Australia, and for one week every year, the dedicated locals can get together and share their stories and passion for whisky and spirits with people from around the world.

The seven-day-long festival in August is known as Tasmanian Whisky Week . Even if you are not a whisky aficionado (yet), there’s plenty to entice you along the way with fascinating stories, sublime flavours, and those pristine Tasmanian landscapes.

The event showcases the state’s colourful cast of craft distillers who are turning grass seed into gold in locales that range from tin sheds to historic stables, convict-built mill houses to unassuming warehouses in Hobart’s industrial estate.

4. Strip off at Dark Mofo

Dark Mofo defines itself by just how different it is from every other mainstream festival in Australia.

Hosted by the equally peculiar and fascinating MONA, the festival celebrates darkness in all its literal and metaphorical incarnations through grand-scale, multi-disciplinary public art performances, such as crossbreed music, theatre and film events. Held over seven days around June’s Winter Solstice, most (mainly night-time) performances happen in pop-up spaces around Hobart.

The winter feast is a foodie must-do, while the annual nude solstice swim is an option for the fearless. You may not like or even understand everything that you see, but you’ll certainly be talking about it afterwards.

An outdoor shot of the Dark Mofo Winter Feast — The Winter Feast is the food component of Hobart’s annual Dark Mofo winter festival. (Image: Adam Gibson)

5. Go truffle hunting

Dwelling in the secret darkness of Tasmania’s fertile soil, French black truffles take shape in winter like fragrant diamonds. June 1 marks the official start of truffle season, and a trip to Tasmania grants you access to the pick of the season.

In 1999, Tim Terry harvested Australia’s first black truffle from the rich soil of his Deloraine farm. Since then, his business, Tasmanian Truffles, has become the country’s premium producer. Visit the spot to join the fun, and to meet Doug – the ever-faithful, truffle-obsessed golden Labrador, chief forager and hunter.

A woman holding some Tasmanian black truffles. (Image: Jamie Roberts) — Indulge in the finest Tasmanian black truffles. (Image: Jamie Roberts)

6. Get Shucked on Bruny Island

When Joe Bennett took a punt on an oyster farm on Tasmania’s Bruny Island, he couldn’t have predicted how his pristine product would take off; Get Shucked Oysters has been a real Bruny success story.

Though they’re available all year round, you’ll find that different varieties peak at different times of the year. If you’re visiting in winter, Pacific varieties are at their best, being in season between April and September.

Buy oysters at the stunning Bruny Island location fresh, shucked or unshucked. Try an oyster Bloody Mary at the Oyster Bar and experience the wonder of what may be Australia’s first and only oyster drive-thru.

Get Shucked Oysters has been a real Bruny Island success story.

7. Meet the ghosts of Port Arthur

Port Arthur by day is an alarmingly beautiful UNESCO World Heritage-listed site. It’s an outdoor museum without any sense of fakeness, featuring 30 original convict-constructed buildings including prison wards, sentry boxes and guards’ homes.

By night, the strange and intriguing convict era is illuminated. Port Arthur’s role in all this was particularly dark – the penitentiary was built by the 12,500 inmates it eventually housed. Every corner of the moody, historic site has a story to tell – and they’re never very pleasant. Inmates here had to stay silent at all times and wear head masks while exercising.

The incredible Port Arthur Ghost Tour is a lantern-lit 90-minute tour that takes place at 6 pm and 8 pm. You’ll be regaled by tales of paranormal activity as you’re guided through Port Arthur’s more infamous buildings. Prepare to be spooked and even walk away with your own ghost story to tell.

A tour guide takes people through a Ghost Tour at Port Arthur Historic Site. (Image: Alastair Bett) — As the sun sets, come out to the dark grounds of the Port Arthur Historic Site for your 90-minute, lantern-lit Ghost Tour. (Image: Alastair Bett)

8. Snowshoe the Overland Track

During winter months, the high peaks and valleys receive a generous dusting of snow, transforming the Overland and surrounding Cradle Mountain National Park into a glorious winter wonderland. The trail is much quieter, lakes are frozen, and your experienced guide will help bring the track to life and teach first-time snowshoers the finer points of this popular style of alpine travel.

AT’s Deputy Editor Imogen Eveson mused that “walking the Overland Track through Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park covered in snow was physically challenging but pure magic, and a chance to see this remarkable landscape in a way that very few people do."

9. Spend a night on Satellite Island

Ever dreamt of 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 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.

Spend a night on Satellite Island. (Image: Adam Gibson)

10. Do the Enchanted Walk

Visit Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park and follow the Enchanted Walk through a rainforest bejewelled with frost. This is an easy 20-minute 1.1-kilometre circuit. A walk to suit all age groups, it will take you through buttongrass moorland before entering cool temperate rainforest along the edges of Pencil Pine Creek.

Along the track are three interpretive tunnels that kids and kids at heart will find fun to crawl through. Along the western bank of the Pencil Pine Creek, you will come across several wombat burrows just on the edge of the track. You are most likely to spot wombats around dusk and dawn.

The snow-covered Enchanted Walk. (Image: Paul Fleming) — Find a cascading river, wombat burrows and magical old-growth rainforest along the Enchanted Walk inside Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park. (Image: Paul Fleming)

11. Take a tour of Sarah Island

Gordon River Cruises will give you a front-row seat to the action of Sarah Island, detailing the tales of fear and dread on this dimly lit, blustery atoll with a dark convict history.

Known to Aboriginal people as Langerrareroune, but called ‘Sarah Island’ by the British who operated a penal colony on the site back in the early 1800s, the island is a remote and isolated playground ready and waiting to be explored.

Take a tour of Sarah Island with Gordon River Cruises. (Image: courtesy of RACT Destinations)

12. Join the Festival of Voices

Festival of Voices has been bringing joy to Tasmanian winters since 2004. The state’s original marquee event has become known as Australia’s premier celebration of the voice, attracting audiences of 30,000 people to Hobart over two glorious weeks.

The program focuses on the power of song, offering concerts, workshops and choir packages that unite vocalists and choristers together. The event culminates in a closing bonfire, where thousands of people sit and partake in a group sing-along – all abilities are encouraged to participate.

The Big Sing Bonfire at Festival of Voices. (Image: Lusy Productions)

13. Join a Cooking School

Tasmania’s reputation for true source growing makes it an ideal place to find small-scale artisans ready to skillshare.

Fat Pig Farm is home to gourmet producers Matthew Evans and Sadie Chrestman. Together, they operate their 70-acre family farm in the Huon Valley, south of Hobart. Since 2011, the one-time apple orchard has been serving as a farmhouse table, cookery school and lunch venue. Browse the calendar of special events and see what you can come up with.

Visit Fat Pig Farm, Huon Valley. (Image: Chris Phelps)

Venture a little further afield to Flinders Island, where the gourmet retreat at Cooma House Cooking School will have your kitchen skills finessed by the time you can say Tasmania. Make pasta from scratch or curries-not-from-a-jar. Make jams or relishes from seasonal surplus garden produce.

14. Get cosy by the fire

Wherever it is you’ve decided to go on your Tasmanian winter adventure, the only thing that could make it even better is a luxurious, cosy stay to return to after the excitement of the day. Cuddle up next to a roaring fire or watch the sky ablaze with stars.

Pumphouse Point

Pumphouse Point is a hotel inside an abandoned electrical station, on top of a lake, in the middle of a World Heritage-listed wilderness. You just can’t make this stuff up.

If you’re the kind of traveller who likes to say “I’ve been there" way before anyone else, book the weekend at this Art Deco former hydro sub-station; built in the ‘40s and decommissioned in the ‘90s.

There are 12 suites inside the Pumphouse, six in the Shorehouse and The Retreat on the water’s edge. Many of Pumphouse Point’s rooms sport floor-to-ceiling water views – thanks to its position 250 metres out on the lake – so you can make the executive decision to stay in and stare or head out on a nature walk around Lake St Clair. Inevitably you’ll probably end up cosying up around the flickering fire and deep seats of the Pumphouse Lounge anyway.

A girl sits by the fire at Pumphouse Point in Tasmania and reads a book. (Image: Emilie Ristevski) — In the middle of Tasmania, on the southern hemisphere’s deepest lake, awaits a wilderness experience: Pumphouse Point. (Image: Emilie Ristevski)

Saffire Freycinet

The Saffire Freycinet lodge is located in pretty native bushland adjacent to Freycinet National Park on Tasmania’s east coast, a 2.5-hour drive from Hobart. With panoramic floor-to-ceiling windows, a curved cathedral ceiling that creates a dramatic sense of space, and the lodge’s impressive fireplace ablaze, there is little reason to budge from one of the window-facing armchairs, where you can relax and watch the weather come in.

Hobart has quietly become our coolest capital, but the real wonder lies just beyond the city limits.

In the cool shade of Kunyani/ Mt Wellington, Hobart has earned a reputation. Home to culture-defining Dark MOFO, the city blends rugged, raw wilderness and rule-breaking galleries. But, step beyond the thrumming capital’s border and you’ll find a new perspective: historic towns, Jurassic-era cliffs and a UNESCO City of Gastronomy. With ALL Accor as your home away from home, fill your days with epicurean odysseys and wild scenery on the best day trips from Hobart.

Where to stay

Behind every good road trip is the perfect home base. Somewhere central to review your camera roll, make the most of Hobart’s dining scene and relax before setting off again.

For modern, Tasmanian-inspired design, book a stay at the Movenpick Hotel Hobart . Standing at the Salamanca Markets, look to the Hobart skyline and the award-winning hotel will catch your eye. As the third-tallest building in the CBD, the views across the harbour toward Antarctica are totally unique to your room. Here, end each day at the daily free chocolate hour (plus a free Movenpick ice cream for the little ones).

For a more budget-conscious option, head to the picture book, sandstone buildings of Macquarie Street. Nestled along the buzzing, historic streetscape, you’ll find Tasmania’s biggest hotel: the Ibis Styles . Return home each day to defrost in one of the hotel’s two saunas. Make use of the proximity to MONA, or take an easy stroll to the candy-coloured cottages of Battery Point between your adventures.

A stylish, Tasmanian-inspired bedroom at Mövenpick Hotel Hobart, your perfect base for relaxing after the best day trips from Hobart. — Elevate your Hobart stay with sleek style at Mövenpick.

1. Bruny Island

Craggy cliffs and tropical-hued, white sand beaches signal your arrival to Bruny Island/ Lunawanna-Alonnah.

Start your day trip at the island’s most iconic spot, the Neck Game Reserve. Scale the Trunganini steps to gaze out over the teensy stretch of land that juts through the sea connecting the two ends of the island.

Catch a rare glimpse of the white furred wallabies that call Bruny Island home at Adventure Bay. Then, for ocean-fresh oysters, pull into the drive-thru window at Get Shucked . Sample Bruny Island cheese at the cellar door before catching the ferry home with an esky full of local produce.

Bruny Island Neck is an isthmus of land connecting north and south Bruny Island. — Begin your adventure with a climb and a view. (Image: Elise Weaver)

2. Mount Wellington

At 1271 metres, Mount Wellington watches protectively over Hobart. Follow the winding road to climb through alpine forest and tufts of snow to reach the summit. Gaze down over Hobart and out to sea, or over your shoulder to the southwestern wilderness.

Reset your adrenaline with a mountain bike ride back down. Or, make like the locals and head into the mountain on foot. Try the hike to the Jurassic-period Organ Pipes which slips under the mountain’s magnificent dolerite cliffs (perfect for families thanks to the trail’s minimal incline).

For a view of Mount Wellington itself, hike nearby Cathedral Rock.

No matter where you are in Hobart you are never far away from the City's beloved mountain, Kunanyi / Mount Wellington — Climb through alpine forest to the summit. (Image: Paul Flemming)

2. Port Arthur

Constructed entirely by convicts, the manicured gardens and penal buildings of Port Arthur offer a day trip that practically hums with history.

The rugged, seagirt location was chosen for its difficult escape conditions. Now, you can cruise the coast below the towering, jagged cliffs of the Tasman National Park or wander the sloping fields of fragrant lavender.

Tickets to Port Arthur include a walking tour and harbour cruise. See the Isle of the Dead where 1000 men are buried in marked and unmarked graves. And Point Puer, Britain’s first prison for children.

The Port Arthur Historic Site is one of Australia's most important heritage sites and tourist destinations. Located on the scenic Turrakana / Tasman Peninsula in the south east of Tasmania, it offers a unique and essential experience for all visitors to the area. — Wander convict-built grounds and gardens. (Image: Dearna Bond)

3. Launceston

You’ll find Launceston at the confluence of three rivers after an easy 2.5-hour drive from Hobart. Launceston is a patchwork of old and new. Here, heritage streetscapes meet modern architecture.

Visit Cataract Gorge, the green, sun-dappled heart of the town and sacred meeting point for Tasmania’s indigenous communities. Pull up at roadside produce stalls that dot the Tamar Valley, or dine out. Launceston is, after all, a UNESCO City of Gastronomy.

Should the local wine scene persuade you, simply extend your time in Launceston at Peppers Silo (but definitely at least stop by the onsite restaurant, Grain of the Silo , for a farm fresh menu) or Mercure Launceston before heading back to Hobart.

Walk the sunlit paths of Cataract Gorge. (Image: Nick H Visuals)

4. Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary

Take a 35-minute drive from your hotel and you’ll find Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary . This social enterprise is run by a team of extremely passionate Tasmanians with a mission to look after critically endangered species who have found sanctuary here after facing extinction on the mainland.

Choose to wander the sanctuary at your own pace or join a guided tour (free with your ticket) to come face to face with Tassie’s most iconic species. Tasmanian Devils, wombats and echidnas are part of the free tour. You can book up close encounters with your favourite animals, too.

Bonorong is a Sanctuary for wildlife run by a passionate team of like-minded people. We're a social enterprise: a little business with a big heart. — Snap a cuddle-worthy encounter. (Image: Tourism Australia)

5. Richmond Village & Coal River Valley

Richmond is a town that belongs in a snow globe. Fifty colonial-era, Georgian buildings have been painstakingly restored and turned into cafes, cosy restaurants and galleries. Visit Richmond Gaol , said to be the home of a prisoner so vile he inspired Charles Dickens to pen Oliver Twist’s Fagin.

Then, follow the Coal River as it flows past grassy, duckling-dotted knolls and under the iconic Richmond Bridge, the oldest bridge in Australia. From the crest of the bridge, see the oldest Catholic Church in Australia. The river crawls past many cellar doors, perfect for a day of wine tasting.

Richmond is a picture-perfect town in the Coal River Valley wine region, offering a glimpse into early colonial life, one of the best day trips from Hobart. — Trace the river through history and wine country. (Image: Fin Matson)

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Tasmania in winter is the best time to go