50 anti-ordinary ways to become a winter person in Tasmania
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There’s a moment when you realise winter in Tasmania isn’t something you hide from – it’s something you run toward. Even from Canberra’s chilly mornings.
When the temperature drops, the island sheds its summer skin and turns up the dial on raw, unapologetic theatre. Crackling open hearths, midnight art installations, rich cool-climate pinots, and fire-cooked feasts.
The annual Off Season, running until 31 August, is Tourism Tasmania’s invitation to shed the hibernation blankets and embrace the anti-ordinary. Whether you’re heading down for a weekend cultural fix or mapping out a slow, luxurious culinary road trip, we’ve rounded up 50 incredible ways to spend the cooler months across the island.
The best part? Canberrans are already equipped to effortlessly enjoy the Tasmanian winter – just pack your puffer and go.
The Major Winter Festivals & Cultural Headliners
Dark Mofo: Winter Feast. Photography: Adam Gibson
Dark Mofo
Hobart’s globally renowned cultural pilgrimage
Brave the pitch-black mid-winter darkness for a sensory shake-up unlike anything else on earth. Running from Thursday 11 June to Monday 22 June, the festival brings monumental subterranean art installations, late-night industrial dance parties at Night Mass, and the iconic, cathartic Nude Solstice Swim at sunrise.
Find out more here.
The MONA Winter Feast
Feasting over open flames on the waterfront
Settle in under the heavy red sails on the freezing Hobart waterfront for the ultimate centrepiece of winter gastronomy. Part of the broader winter celebrations, this hedonistic night market brings the state’s best chefs together to cook over open flames while live performance art cuts through the dark. It runs across two weeks from Thursday 4 to Sunday 7 June and Thursday 11 to Sunday 21 June.
Find out more here.
Festival of Voices
A warm, smoky celebration of song
Warm up your winter soul from Friday 3 July to Sunday 12 July with an island-wide showcase that makes the cold air feel completely magical. Cosy heritage venues, sandstone chapels, and theatres across the state play host to smoky cabaret, roaring gospel ensembles, and interactive vocal workshops.
Find out more here.
Beaker Street Festival
A milestone program of neuroscience, dark energy, and controlled chaos
Where high science meets luxury culture, this clever festival returns from Thursday 6 to Monday 17 August to transform Tasmania into a laboratory of connection and ideas.
Celebrating its tenth anniversary with the theme “The Second Act”, the bold lineup spills across theatres, mountain tops, saunas, and galleries for more than 70 beautifully nerdy events. The main stage at Hobart City Hall comes alive with heavy-hitting conversations – think forensic true-crime breakdowns with Marta Dusseldorp, the frontier of psychedelic therapy, and a hilariously provocative data dive into modern intimacy with “Kinky History” sensation Dr Esmé Louise James. You can even watch ABC Hobart’s Ryk Goddard get married on stage in a celebration of neuroscience and nuptials.
Beyond the city limits, experience immersive dark-sky dinners at Frogmore Creek Winery, First Nations sky storytelling, or a fermentation masterclass at the new FermentHQ facility.
Explore everything on offer here.
Permission to Trespass
Unlocking the heavy gates of the North West
An exclusive cultural program throughout June and July that lets you slip past the “no entry” signs of the rugged North West.
This winter-only initiative grants curious travellers access to restricted historic estates, private farmhouses, and breathtaking private properties for storytelling and secret intimate performances.
Events include Moonlight Stories, a projected visual and auditory light show on the Table Cape Lighthouse, sumptuous long table dinners, twilight markets, art exhibits, local pub choirs and creative workshops.
Find out more here.
Bay of Fires Winter Arts Festival
Fine art trails along a moody grey coastline
Pair the striking visual contrast of bright orange-lichen granite boulders and a moody grey ocean with a curated long weekend of fine art trails, secret maker studios, and local design showcases from Friday 5 June to Sunday 14 June.
Explore the gorgeous coastal itinerary here.
Devonport Jazz Festival
Syncopated rhythms in cosy seaside spaces
Escape the coastal winter winds from Thursday 23 July to Sunday 26 July by ducking into historic seaside halls, moody pubs, and intimate boutique cafes across Devonport for four days of smooth syncopated rhythms, jazz masterclasses, and impromptu late-night jam sessions.
Plan your trip here.
Tasmanian Whisky Week
Behind-the-scenes drams with the island’s best makers
A dedicated winter celebration from Saturday 1 to Sunday 9 August, giving spirits aficionados exclusive behind-the-scenes access to unreleased drops, private bond-store tastings, distiller dinners, and cross-regional masterclasses.
Find participating distilleries here.
Island Escape Winter Festival
A three-day winter sensory landscape of alternative rock, igloo silent discos, and local wine
Shake off the mid-winter hibernation with an explosive, multi-day music and culture festival taking over Launceston’s waterfront precinct from Friday 3 to Sunday 5 July.
Perfect for a cosy yet high-energy weekend escape, this incredible winter playground brings massive Australian headliners – including Birds of Tokyo and Spiderbait – together with a spectacular showcase of local Tasmanian food, craft beers, and cool-climate wines. You can spend your evenings wandering through the heated festival village, huddling beside roaring communal fire pits, or dancing the night away inside a magical igloo silent disco.
Find out more here.
Light Up the West – Strahan Solstice
Audio-visual projections, long-table dinners, and mid-winter plunges on the wild west coast
The rugged West Coast of Tasmania completely redefines the darkest days of the year from Friday 19 to Sunday 28 June with an absolute powerhouse celebration of community, light, and raw grit.
Centred around the glassy waters of Strahan, the historic town transforms into a glowing, interactive playground of events, twilight food markets, and live music. The absolute crown jewel of the program is “Port to Post” – a breathtaking, free audio-visual sound and light projection mapped by artist Alex Moss onto the iconic facade of the historic Strahan Customs House.
Grab a pair of the limited wireless headphones to experience the full, immersive sound design, before wandering down to huddle around roaring fires at local long-table dinners or braving the sub-zero temperatures for an invigorating morning winter solstice plunge.
Explore what’s on here.
Bicheno Beams
A multi-sensory laser light show under the stars
A brilliant laser light show from Saturday 27 June to Saturday 25 July that completely transforms the night skies of the east coast.
Perfect to pair with a luxury coastal stay, the sky lights up in rhythm with a custom musical soundtrack reflecting the spirit of the ocean.
Learn more here.
Chocolate Winterfest
Indulge your dark side in Latrobe
Immerse yourself entirely in the dark art of artisan chocolate on Sunday 9 August. Located in the historic town of Latrobe, you can spend the weekend booking into tempering masterclasses, hot cocoa tasting flights, and competitive chocolate sculpture viewings.
Discover the delicious details here.
Bespoke food, wine & spirit experiences
Stillwater. Photography: Samuel Shelley.
Stillwater Restaurant Winter Kitchen Series
Award-winning dining in an 1830s flour mill
Escape the chill inside an elegantly converted sandstone mill sitting on the edge of the Tamar River. This award-winning dining institution hosts seasonal winter table series showcasing slow-braised northern game and rich reductions paired beautifully with library-vintage northern Pinot Noirs.
Reserve a fireside table here.
Truffles and Vines
Private truffle hunt and sparkling masterclass
Join a private tour and lunch with two of Tasmania’s finest producers to celebrate all things winter and farming across two prestigious properties. This exclusive experience invites you to pop bubbles and hunt truffles alongside the experts.
Your journey begins at Pipers Brook Truffles, where you will join a private truffle hunt under the winter trees. Following the hunt, head to the House of Arras to indulge in an exceptional sparkling masterclass paired with a premium lunch showcasing your freshly unearthed winter finds.
Check it out here.
NOIR NOIR Winter Solstice at Tamar Ridge
Gathering for fireside pinot, new-release whisky, and guided stargazing
Embrace the magic of the longest night of the year with an exclusive, one-night-only winter celebration on Saturday 20 June. Hosted at the beautiful Tamar Ridge cellar door in partnership with their neighbours Turner Stillhouse, this atmospheric evening invites you to sip, savour, and stargaze under the absolute brilliance of the northern winter sky.
You will be among the very first to taste Tamar Ridge’s elegant new-release pinot noirs alongside Turner Stillhouse’s groundbreaking new whiskies, all while gathering around roaring outdoor fire pits and enjoying curated local produce. To make the night even more magical, local astronomer Chris Arkless will be on hand to guide a celestial exploration of the southern constellations.
Secure your ticket here.
The Agrarian Kitchen Off Season Fire Pits
Cosying up to artisan campfire s’mores and wood-fired truffle toasties
Journey into the frost-kissed Derwent Valley to experience sustainable, seasonal eating at its absolute peak. Every winter weekend until 2 August 2026, this world-renowned culinary hotspot is lighting up the outdoor fire pits and inviting guests to toast house-made spiced biscuits, honey-laced marshmallows, and local Federation chocolate into gooey s’mores perfection.
While you are lingering by the flames, you can also grab their signature winter luxury: a molten toastie made with on-site wood-fired sourdough, layers of housemade mozzarella, gouda, and cheddar, finished with generous shavings of local black truffle.
Plan your fireside pitstop here.
Fire, Food, Winter Frivolity at Grain of the Silos
Roaring fire pits, live outdoor cooking stations, and local wines by the river
Perched elegantly on the edge of the Tamar River, this celebrated dining space throws open its doors on Saturday 27 June for a beautiful celebration of bold winter flavours and smoky aromas.
Curated by Food Director Massimo Mele and Executive Chef Thomas Pirker, the evening features a team of chefs cooking live across outdoor fire stations to present a generous, roaming-style winter feast designed to be enjoyed directly fireside.
To complement the rich, comforting flavours of food cooked over the flame, you can purchase exceptional local Utzinger wines and spiced, winter-inspired warm drinks while enjoying live music by the firelight.
Secure your fireside spot here.
Farm, Tunnel and Fungi Experience
Winter fungi harvest and eat tour
Embark on a unique winter tour where history and gastronomy converge. This Off Season experience invites you to step inside an 1891-built railway tunnel transformed from abandoned infrastructure to a thriving hub for growing gourmet mushrooms.
You will learn the production process of Tunnel Hill Mushrooms from start to finish, beginning in-lab and ending right in the tunnel. Discover how to harvest mushrooms and prepare them for cooking, before seeing, smelling, and sampling the mushrooms cooked on a one-of-a-kind ‘train BBQ’.
Details here.
Ghost Rock Vineyard House Escape
A slow-cooked lamb dinner and estate wine flights on the Cradle Coast
Escape the winter chill at Ghost Rock’s private Vineyard House on the beautiful central north coast. Available strictly for weekend getaways until Monday 31 August, this two-night package allows pairs to wake up to spectacular views over the winter vines and Bass Strait. A short walk takes you to the architectural cellar door for an intimate estate wine tasting, before you retreat inside your cozy cottage to enjoy local cheeses, chocolates, and a robust slow-cooked lamb dinner prepared entirely for you.
Find out more here.
Leven Valley Vineyard Caves, Vines & Cocoa
A subterranean chocolate and cool-climate wine tasting
A beautiful sensory collision hidden away in the fertile Gunns Plains. Sip estate-grown cold-climate vintages inside the cozy, family-run cellar door paired with rich, single-origin bean-to-bar dark chocolates, followed by an exclusive afternoon musical exploration inside the subterranean Gunns Plains Caves.
Check it out here.
Freycinet Marine Farm Coastal Feast
Savour their signature scallop pie (and more)
Embrace the crisp sea air at Coles Bay, where the cool winter ocean currents create the absolute peak season for sweeter, plumper local oysters. This iconic east-coast deck invites travellers to slow down and indulge in hyper-local seafood harvested straight from pristine Tasmanian waters.
Rug up in your warmest layers to feast on fresh mussels, rock lobster, and a winter seafood classic: sweet Tasmanian scallops tucked into a rich, creamy filling beneath hot, buttery pastry.
Settle onto the deck here.
Tarkine Fresh Oysters
Warm baked bivalves paired with spicy Bloody Mary oyster shooters
Nestled right on the banks of the Duck River in Smithton, this acclaimed north-west destination harvests award-winning Pacific oysters grown in some of the cleanest air and water in the world. Their exclusive Off Season offering, running until Monday 31 August, is a sensory delight designed to keep your tastebuds tingling and your winter spirit completely alive.
Simply mention the “Off Season” during your visit to settle into the licensed cafe and enjoy a half-dozen perfectly baked oysters paired alongside a bold, spicy Bloody Mary oyster shooter for $30. It is the ultimate cold-weather stopover along the tasting trail to experience the wild flavours of the region.
Find out more here.
Duck River Meadows & La Cantara Cheese Tour
High-tech robotic dairies and artisan cheese tastings in Smithton
Go behind the scenes in the far north-west to witness the fascinating future of sustainable dairy farming and the ancient art of cheese-making. This unique winter tour boards a comfortable regional bus to explore the lush pastures where cows graze in the clean world air, before guiding you through the state-of-the-art robotic dairy facility.
The experience concludes inside the warm visitor pavillion, where you will indulge in guided tastings of La Cantara’s premium, creamy artisan cheeses alongside fresh house-baked scones.
Get the details here.
Wild Winter at The Salt Cellar
Warming up with steaming mulled cider and salt harvest tastings on the east coast
Set on the wild edge of the east coast, this immersive experience invites you to step behind the scenes of a working saltworks to discover a distinctive Tasmanian food story. Running exclusively on Fridays until 28 August, the “Wild Winter at The Salt Cellar” package lets you breathe in the crisp ocean air and watch clean brine transform into delicate sea salt flakes.
After taking in the sweeping views of the Freycinet Peninsula, you will head back inside the warm cellar door to enjoy a steaming mug of mulled cider alongside a guided tasting. The session reveals exactly how their pure, sustainably harvested sea salt shifts, sharpens, and elevates flavour.
More here.
Federation Chocolate The Winter Alchemist Experience
Designing your own custom chocolate map of Tasmania in Richmond
Step inside the warm, aromatic workspace of Federation Artisan Chocolate on the historic fringe of Richmond. Running from Friday to Monday at 11 am throughout the cooler months, this hands-on workshop invites you to join master makers on the floor to pour and embellish your own custom 160g chocolate bar shaped like Tasmania.
Once your sweet creation is complete, settle in to sip a specialised hot chocolate, available pure or heavily spiced with chilli or cinnamon.
Find sweet winter packages here.
Hellyers Road Distillery: The Dark Harmony B-sides
Experimental whisky tasting
Timed with the launch of the fifth edition of their cult single malt, Dark Harmony (a collaboration with local heroes Communion Brewing), this behind-the-scenes tasting is available exclusively at the Hellyers Road Cellar Door until Monday 31 August.
Taste the Dark Harmony alongside its B-sides – unique drams from the casks Communion used to age their beers, which were left to mature in the Hellyers Road Bond Store rather than being included in the official releases.
More info here.
Callington Mill Distillery: Serendipity Experience
Whisky tasting and blend-your-own masterclass
Winter is a season for making things that last at Callington Mill Distillery, with this exclusive masterclass. Guided by a whisky expert, you will move through five cask strength expressions to develop your palate and knowledge of the building blocks of great single malt.
The heart of the experience is the blend: part education, part creative act, you will craft your own signature single malt with a flavour profile that is entirely yours.
Details here.
Highland Winter Whisky Immersion
Distillery tour, tasting and lunch
Embrace the Tasmanian winter with an atmospheric day of flavour, history, and storytelling in the Tasmanian Highlands.
The experience begins with mid-morning coffee and homemade biscuits. You will then take a relaxed tour of the heritage mill and distillery to learn how whisky is made from mash tun to stills, followed by a guided tasting to learn about nosing, temperature, and flavours. Conclude your visit over lunch at the Mill Kitchen with local storytelling.
Find out more here.
Epic wilderness & moody journeys
West Coast WIlderness Railway. Photography: Tourism Australia.
West Coast Wilderness Railway: Strahan Solstice Train
An Off Season special event with live music
Climb aboard the West Coast Wilderness Railway for a unique winter experience on Saturday 20 June. Departing from Regatta Point Station in Strahan at 4 pm, this one-off journey travels to Cryptic Falls at dusk for a fully seated evening experience, featuring live music on board by David H before returning around 5:30 pm.
More info here.
World Heritage Cruises: Solstice Cruise
An evening of food, drink and entertainment on Macquarie Harbour
Celebrate making it halfway through the coldest season aboard the Harbour Master II on Friday 19 June. Held in partnership with the annual Strahan Solstice Weekend, this special evening winter cruise departs from 18 Esplanade at 7 pm.
The adults-only event features live music from Craig & Shan, a grazing table, and a complimentary drink on arrival. The official dress code for the night is black and gold.
Grab your tickets for this festive winter voyage.
Run the Dark: Knockers Solstice Trail Run
Headtorch trail running through midwinter bushland
When the night is longest, we run. Kicking off the 2026 Kunanyi Trail Series, this nocturnal winter adventure takes place on Sunday 21 June at Knocklofty Reserve, nestled in the foothills of kunanyi / Mount Wellington just minutes from Hobart’s CBD.
Explore native bushland by headtorch to experience the crisp, still air and spectacular views of Hobart’s glowing night lights below, keeping an eye out for feeding wallabies, bandicoots, and owls. The event features three distances (the 11km Enduro, 6km Sport, and 4km Explorer) combining smooth firetrails and single tracks.
More info here.
Mid-Winter Redding the Sails
A two-hour evening sail with live music on a tall ship
Hop aboard the legendary Tassie tall ship, Lady Nelson, for a magical two-hour evening sail that fully embraces the Dark Mofo spirit, running from Friday 12 to Saturday 20 June 2026.
Departing from Elizabeth Street Pier in Hobart, the ship transforms into a dazzling, glowing red marvel as it glides across the scenic harbour against a backdrop of festival lights. Guests can get hands-on by hauling a line and steering the ship, or simply lounge and enjoy lively performances from local musical talents.
Find out more here.
Glow Worm Gazer
Cave bioluminescence citizen science adventure
Enter Mole Creek’s caves for a guided glow worm tour where you’ll become a citizen scientist, valid until Tuesday 30 June.
This unique 90-minute Off Season experience invites you to help collect data by counting glow worms, examine larvae up close in their silk nests, and spend extended time watching their bioluminescence underground. Led through the darkness by an expert guide, you will get to cosy up on a mat with a blanket and gaze up at the tiny lights for a calming, sensory experience.
Get the details here.
Off-grid luxury, stargazing & wellness
Kuuma Nature Sauna. Photography: Anna Critchley.
Kuuma Nature Sauna After Dark Sauna Cruise
A nocturnal wood-fired floating sauna escape over North West Bay
Step aboard for an intimate, nighttime winter floating sauna escape under the quiet of the Tasmanian winter night. Kuuma Nature Sauna, Australia’s first sauna boat, is located just 20 minutes south of Hobart at Margate Marina.
Limited to just six guests, this official Off Season experience draws you into the warmth of a floating wood-fired sauna as the vessel drifts through the darkness over North West Bay. Melt into the deep heat, cool off with a bracing dip beneath the stars, and sip peppermint tea as you return to the glow.
More information here.
The Piner’s Winter Feast at Risby Cove
A lantern-lit sawmill feast and luxury cedar hot tub retreat in Strahan
Tucked away on the dramatic edge of Macquarie Harbour within Tasmania’s wild west coast wilderness, this tranquil boutique hotel frames a spectacular mid-winter escape.
Running until Monday 31 August, this Off Season package invites guests to completely slow down inside a luxury suite equipped with its own private cedar hot tub or infrared sauna.
The absolute highlight of the getaway is an exclusive, lantern-lit winter feast served inside the property’s historic Piner’s Hut, sourced directly from the original Risby Brothers sawmill and paired beautifully with local wines and liqueurs. The indulgent itinerary also treats you to a four-course dinner for two at Risby’s award-winning restaurant, a nightly “Romance Ritual” delivering fresh sparkling wine and chocolate truffles directly to your hot tub, and an intimate couples’ whisky and gin tasting beside a roaring fireplace.
Book here.
Basalt, Bikes, Big Sky: Winter Escape at The Cove Tasmania
Ocean-front suites, fireside mulled wine, and little penguin parading
Perched dramatically on a working farm where the countryside meets the Bass Strait in Devonport, this adults-only oceanside retreat offers an ultra-relaxing coastal reset.
Until Monday 31 August, their comprehensive winter package invites guests to trade the everyday rush for relaxation. The experience balances crisp coastal air with deep indulgence, treating you to an e-bike rental to explore the coastal pathways, a local cheese and Tasmanian wine hamper, and a multi-course dinner at the on-site Basalt Restaurant.
After a day of exploring, you can pull on a plush robe and settle by the crackling fire with a mug of warm mulled wine, before taking a late-evening walk to their private viewing platforms to witness the estate’s resident colony of little penguins returning from the sea.
More info here.
Blue Derby Pods Ride Winter on Wheels
A three-day MTB adventure, campfire and forest stay
Ride Blue Derby’s mountain bike trails during this three-day winter experience, valid until Monday 31 August. Winter means quieter trails, crisper air and the reward of campfire warmth after days pedalling through the forests of Derby.
As dusk descends, park your bike trailside and relax by the campfire beneath a carpet of bright winter stars above Lake Derby while you taste Tasmanian campfire canapés. Between rides, warm up in your unique forest pod accommodation with Tasmanian food and wine.
Discover it here.
Farmhouse Picnic and Historic Stable Stay
Stay, pinot, picnic, hot tub stargazing
Enjoy a two-night stay at a working farm on Tasmania’s east coast and relax in the crisp country air with a delicious farmhouse picnic.
Relish hearty home-made pumpkin soup warmed over the fire pit and tasty terrine made with locally sourced pheasant, served with crusty artisan bread and a bottle of local pinot noir. Finish with a billy of hot chocolate and toasted marshmallows, then soak up the views from the warm embrace of the outdoor woodfired hot tub.
Find out more here.
Devils@Cradle Off Season Encounters
Twilight joey encounters and after-dark fireside desserts at Cradle Mountain
Embrace the winter chills with two exclusive wildlife experiences at this alpine sanctuary, running from until Monday 31 August.
Choose the “Twilight Joey Encounter” to meet younger residents, watch the carnivorous marsupials play, and toast marshmallows over a campfire as darkness settles. Alternatively, book “Dessert with the Devil” to tour the sanctuary, meet local quolls, and witness Tasmanian devils feeding under the stars, followed by fireside beverages and a platter of Tasmanian sweet treats.
Get the details here.
Dark Sky Stargazing at LARK Distillery
Hot whisky cocktails under the stars
Darkness is the destination at LARK Distillery’s historic Pontville property from Monday 6 July to Sunday 30 August. These special nights are hosted by astronomer Professor Andrew Cole and feature telescope viewing, starmap projections, and Palawa (Tasmanian Aboriginal) stories of milaythina wurangkili, or “sky country.”
Guests can settle into the atmospheric DARK LARK Stargazing Lounge, an outdoor bar serving hot whisky and gin cocktails under the winter sky.
More info here.
Arts, Culture & History trails
Waverley Mills in Launceston.
Behind the Warmth – Woollen Mill Winter Tour
Mill tour, limited-edition pack and $50 voucher
Step inside Tasmania’s last weaving mill – Waverley Mills – to see wool transformed into warmth. This guided tour lets you watch looms weave blankets while machinery dating back decades keeps spinning.
Tickets include a limited-edition calico tote, a collectible ticket and bookmark, plus a Mill Store voucher.
Check it out here.
Explore Tasmania’s Chilling Convict History
Centuries of stories
Step inside Australia’s oldest intact gaol (c1825) where convict-built stone walls hold centuries of stories. This self-guided exploration lets you move at your own pace through chain-gang sleeping rooms, flogging yards, and cells where winter’s cold seeps through sandstone just as it did for inmates 200 years ago.
You can also enter the tiny solitary confinement cell where Ikey Solomon – the inspiration for Dickens’ Fagin in Oliver Twist – once languished.
Get the details here.
Salamanca Market Winter Wander
Sandstone laneways without the summer tourist crowds
Experience the historic sandstone laneways without the heavy summer tourist rush every Saturday morning. Grab a hot cup of spiced mulled wine and wander the curated stalls showcasing premium artisan woodwork, hand-knitted Tasmanian merino wool, and local art.
Explore here.
Walk Through Wilder Times, Refuel with Regional Treats
History walk and food hamper with dome stay
Settle into a cosy stay in a geodesic dome under Mount Roland. This Off Season package invites you to discover the stories of the area as you step into the past on a walk with added winter atmosphere through a once thriving Hydro town reclaimed by nature.
Secure your dome stay here.
Learn to Sculpt with a Professional Bronze Sculptor
A workshop in warm and cosy studio
Immerse yourself in creativity at the Tasmanian Sculpture School with a three-hour introductory sculpting class.
Located in a studio overlooking Kanamaluka / River Tamar, you will be guided to sculpt using modelling clay over an aluminium armature. Midway through, you are invited to sip on a hot drink by the crackling fire and step into the private artist’s workshop for a hands-on, story-rich tour.
Secure your workshop spot here.
Condemned: An Immersive Trial and Verdict Experience
Immersive convict site activity
Step into the stories of four female convicts executed at the Cascades Female Factory during this 90-minute immersive experience.
Running on Saturdays, the experience invites you to uncover the lives of Eliza Benwell, Mary McLauchlan, Margaret Coghlan, and Mary Sullivan through evidence, testimony, and historical accounts. At the end of the trial, your verdict decides their fate.
Secure your spot here.
Birdwatching Retreat on Bruny Island
On-site bird observatory and $20 cafe voucher
Discover a paradise for bird sightings with a minimum two-night stay at this tranquil haven on Bruny Island.
Start your day with a hot drink and morning birdsong, spot native yellow-tailed black cockatoos or rare forty-spotted pardalotes from the cottage’s bird observatory, and watch the birds return to their nests at dusk while sipping a glass of Tassie wine.
Secure your island retreat here.
Stay, Rug Up and Roam Picnic Experience
Ploughman’s platter and picnic
Head out into nature with a classic ploughman’s platter packed and ready to roam. The picnic comes with local cheese, pickles, chutney, crackers, fruit, and cured beef from the farm, alongside a vintage woollen rug and thermos.
You can choose to wander Hollybank Forest Reserve, visit Lilydale Falls, swing by a nearby cellar door to collect a bottle, or simply stay and picnic on the farm.
Book your stay and picnic experience here.
Winter Lantern-Lit Ghost Tour
After-dark convict site ghost tour
Rug up and let lanterns light your way on this 90-minute ghost tour at Port Arthur, where an expert guide will lead you through some of Port Arthur’s infamous buildings and ruins on winter’s crisp dark nights.
You will hear vivid stories of eerie, unexplained events that have baffled and alarmed convicts, free settlers, soldiers, and visitors alike.
More details here.
Ghosts of the Underground Experience
Ghost hunt in Hobart Town Hall’s 1864 basement
Head underground into the eerie sandstone basement below the historic Hobart Town Hall for a unique, winter-only ghost tour. Designed by Henry Hunter, this 1864 basement provides winter chills of a different kind as you listen to stories from its 150 years of history.
Guests will delve into the darkness to learn ghost hunting techniques from experienced guides and experiment with equipment to find the secrets that lie beneath the building.
Find out more here.
Hobart Penitentiary Twilight Tours
After-dark access to exclusive areas
Step inside the Hobart Penitentiary as dusk settles. This after-hours experience opens the doors to exclusive areas not visited on regular tours, allowing you to see the quiet corridors, towering walls, and historic courtyards take on a striking new mood.
Expert guides will lead you deeper into the Penitentiary’s hidden stories and lesser-known spaces.
More info here.
Ready to rewrite your winter?
This list is just a tiny taste of Tasmania’s Off Season – there are hundreds of limited-edition, hyper-local winter experiences scattered across every single corner of the island. Think secret fireside feasts, truffle-infused wellness retreats, and boutique makers opening their doors.
Whether you are craving a fast-paced cultural hit in the city or a slow, winding road trip along a frosty coastline, you’re sure to find a winter adventure to your taste. ‘
Head over to the official Discover Tasmania website to really become a winter person.
Feature image of Winter Feast, Dark Mofo 2025 by Rosie Hastie. The author travelled to Tasmania courtesy of Tourism Tasmania.
