We all know Tassie does winter differently. Its calendar of seasonal events could turn anyone into a winter person, from pagan-themed festivals and week-long whiskey tastings to a range of wonderful and wacky winter internships. Still need convincing? What if we told you dessert with a Tasmanian devil was also on the cards?
Introducing Dessert with the Devil
Hosted by Devils@Cradle in Cradle Mountain, the ‘Dessert with the Devil’ encounter is exactly what it sounds like. In small groups, guests are invited to enjoy an intimate after-dark experience where Tassie devils and dessert share the spotlight.
Devils@Cradle is inviting guests to greet its native marsupials after-dark. (Credit: Tourism Tasmania)
Your evening begins with an exclusive after-hours tour of the sanctuary. Guided by a local wildlife expert, you’ll meet some of the adorable native creatures that call this special place home, like quolls and wombats.
After farewelling your new furry friends, you’ll venture into the den to greet the resident Tassie devils and their playful joeys. Watch on as they wrestle and tumble together before tucking into dinner and winding down for bed. Cuddles aren’t allowed, but you might just be lucky enough to enjoy a gentle pat.
Tuck into a decadent spread of Tasmanian treats. (Credit: Tourism Australia)
Get cosy by the fire to toast marshmellows after your Tassie devil encounter. (Credit: Tourism Australia)
Just when you think the evening couldn’t get any sweeter, a decadent dessert spread awaits. While parting ways with the Tassie devils won’t be easy, local sweets, treats and tipples certainly soften the blow. Finish the night by an open fire, roasting marshmallows and toasting to one of the most unforgettable experiences in Cradle Mountain.
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AI Prompt
A sweet experience with a bigger purpose
Devils@Cradle is more than just a wildlife sanctuary. It’s a dedicated conservation and breeding facility for some of Australia’s most precious marsupials, including the Eastern quoll, spotted-tail quoll and Tasmanian devil.
Devils@Cradle is a conservation facility that aims to protect endangered native wildlife. (Credit: Laura Helle)
It’s also home to a wisdom of bare-nosed wombats, who face ongoing threats from disease and predation, as well as other injured, orphaned and rescued wildlife from across Tasmania.
It’s places like Devils@Cradle, and the dedicated team behind it, that are working to ensure these native creatures don’t disappear for good. While encounters like ‘Dessert with the Devil’ are fun for guests, they also play a significant role in broader conservation efforts – which means you are, too!
Feel good knowing your visit helps safeguard the future of endangered Tassie devils. (Credit: Jewels Lynch)
These experiences are designed to be both engaging and educational. It’s a symbiotic relationship that benefits both parties, proving that conservation can be just as memorable as it is meaningful.
How to book
The ‘Dessert with the Devil’ experience can be booked via the Devils@Cradle website. Tours operate daily from 7pm and run for roughly 75 minutes, available until 30 September. Reservations are essential, with tickets priced at $99 per adult and $75 per child.
While every effort is made to create memorable moments, interactions are not guaranteed. The welfare of all animals remains the top priority and participation is at the discretion of sanctuary staff. Guests are kindly asked to follow all instructions from guides and keepers at all times.
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Taylah Darnell is Australian Traveller's Writer & Producer. She has been passionate about writing since she learnt to read, spending many hours either lost in the pages of books or attempting to write her own. This life-long love of words inspired her to study a Bachelor of Communication majoring in Creative Writing at the University of Technology Sydney, where she completed two editorial internships. She began her full-time career in publishing at Ocean Media before scoring her dream job with Australian Traveller. Now as Writer & Producer, Taylah passionately works across both digital platforms and print titles. When she's not wielding a red pen over magazine proofs, you can find Taylah among the aisles of a second-hand bookshop, following a good nature trail or cheering on her EPL team at 3am. While she's keen to check out places like Scotland and North America, her favourite place to explore will always be her homeland.
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
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
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
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
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.
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.
