Travel to Tasmania and Embrace the cold, don’t escape it
Tasmania calls on mainlanders to lose their inhibitions and experience Tasmania when the locals feast harder, dance longer, and embrace the very wilderness that defines them. Whether it’s the almighty roar of a pagan bonfire, the hiss of a lakeside sauna, the beautiful mess of a seafood feast or the throb of a festival stage, Tasmania in winter is anything but chill.
Why Winter is Tasmania’s best-kept secret
A trip to Tasmania in winter is the perfect antidote to escaping your everyday life where mad moments of inspiration await. Let go of your reservations, and experience incredible adventures, crazy meals and wild reveries. Head over to Tassie to sample the island’s unique creative spirit, luxury hotels such as Saffire Freycinet, and stunning nature and wilderness like nowhere else.
Tourism Tasmania CEO John Fitzgerald said, “Some people see winter as a time to hibernate and wait for the cooler season to end. We’re inviting Australians to get off the couch and embrace a wintery holiday in Tasmania. Other parts of Australia might endure winter, but Tasmanians have a different way of doing thing. We embrace the season like nowhere else – winter is when we thrive.
Winter is Tasmania’s best-kept secret – a time when the island comes alive.
Off Season experiences include:
Barley silo stargazing
Come Dark Sky stargazing in the new observatory at McHenry Distillery. Peer into galaxies beyond the Milky Way or maybe watch an Aurora and learn about the secrets of the winter night sky. Afterwards, settle in to watch the flicker of fire flames from your modern cabin and enjoy a quiet dram or two.
Everyday I’m trufflin’
Sleep in. Slow down. Snuggle up. And get truffling. Enjoy a three-night celebration of the finer things in life, featuring a truffle hunt, fine Tassie wine and truffle-inspired dining at Stillwater Seven
Sarah Island Lantern tour
The nighttime World Heritage Cruise is only for the brave. Tales of fear and dread are brought to life on this dimly lit, blustery island with a dark convict history. Lashings of local whisky, mulled wine and other warm morsels keep the shivers at bay.
Maria Island walk
Spend the day surrounded by fluffy wombats, learning about the island’s history, beauty and amazing wildlife. By night, curl up by a roaring fire with a glass of wine from one of the local east coast wineries.
The MICHELIN Keyed Hotel Revolution
In 2026, Tasmania cemented its gastronomic status with five properties distinguished with MICHELIN Keys, a recognition transcending traditional hospitality to celebrate experiences deeply connected to their surroundings.
Saffire Freycinet in Coles Bay holds three Keys —the highest distinction. Overlooking Freycinet National Park, it combines bold architecture with service so personal you feel like the house’s sole concern. All-inclusive dining celebrates Tasmanian produce from freshly shucked oysters in Coles Bay waters to honey harvested from private hives. By late 2026, The Jewel arrives —an 800-square-metre private villa designed around space, privacy and connection to the surrounding landscape.
Islington Hotel in Hobart, beneath kunanyi/Mount Wellington, maintains the character of an 1847 heritage property fused with contemporary comfort. Eleven individually styled rooms sit among established gardens, with mountain views. Chef Anthony Illingworth’s kitchen puts seasonal Tasmanian produce centre stage, while open fires, local wine and intimate spaces create a private retreat feeling minutes from central Hobart.
The Tasman brings together three distinct architectural eras —1840s Georgian, 1940s Art Deco and contemporary design —in Australia’s first Luxury Collection hotel. Positioned between waterfront, Salamanca and city centre, it offers harbour views toward Mount Wellington. Recent additions include LUMINA event space and BODHI Spa + Bathhouse opening November 2026.
The Henry Jones Art Hotel transforms historic waterfront warehouses into Australia’s first dedicated art hotel. Housed within the former IXL Jam Factory, over 400 original and contemporary artworks by Tasmanian artists make art and heritage part of your stay, connecting guests with creative culture from Hobart’s waterfront heart.
The Corinda Collection is an 1870s historic estate set within more than an acre of established gardens. Rooms, pavilions and heritage cottages retain original antiques, creating an intimate stay steeped in Hobart history. Breakfast showcases local produce including home-baked bread, farm eggs and preserves made with regional fruit.
For more information on things to do in Tasmania, visit www.discovertasmania.com.au/off-season
