Embracing winter in Tasmania

What to expect

If you think winter in Tasmania signals hibernation, think again. During the Off Season, the island state grows more offbeat, more enthralling, and more alluring. Ice-cold swims come served with lush spas and saunas, woodfired stoves and cosy fireplaces are stoked with gusto, Aurora Australis blazes across the night sky, and festivals and hearty feasts fill most weekends.

And while there are many great ways to explore Tasmania, nothing quite beats the freedom of jumping in a car and exploring the island at your own pace on a multi-day road trip. Whether you choose to plan your route ahead of time (we have some ideas below!), or simply prefer to see where the road takes you, one thing we can guarantee is that Tassie’s breathtaking scenery and variety of attractions mean a winter road trip on the Apple Isle is unlike anything else you’ll find in Australia.

Sailing on the Spirit of Tasmania is the perfect way to add to your trip’s sense of adventure and we can personally vouch that rolling off the ship in Devonport’s early morning gloom, as mist circles the surrounding landscape, is an ideal introduction to Tassie’s cosy winter vibe.

Even better is that taking your own vehicle to Tasmania has never been more affordable. The Spirit of Tasmania is currently running a special winter offer to bring your own vehicle across for free. The offer runs from May 1 to October 31 and applies to regular cars, motorbikes and campervans/motorhomes under six metres, while caravans and larger vehicles are also eligible for discounts. Terms and conditions apply, bookings are now open and availability is limited.

As for the best places to visit and explore once you land on the island? We’ve listed some of our favourite festivals and locations below, which run to a loose itinerary starting on the north-east coast before heading west to Cradle Mountain, then south to Hobart (for some whisky!) and finishing on Tasmania’s famous East Coast.

Stop 1: Devonport to Bridport

1 HRS 40 MINS | 128 KMS 

Get a taste for a Tassie staple in Bridport

The unofficial state dish of Tasmania is the perfectly seasoned, buttery scallop pie. This is for good reason: scallops down here are some of the best in the world. And nowhere celebrates the deliciousness and versatility of the humble scallop quite like Tassie Scallop Fiesta, held in Bridport each August.

During the summer Bridport is a gorgeous seaside town, but for one day in winter its foreshore transforms and is peppered by food halls, food trucks and even a large dancefloor. The event culminates in an exciting scallop splitting relay race, but there are also whisky and wine pairings, and plenty of other tasty morsels if scallops aren’t your thing.

The best part, though? It’s the joy of sharing freshly caught seafood and top-quality local produce with the passionate locals who cultivate it and the thousands of people who attend, their hands warmed by mugs of mulled wine or their faces shrouded in steam as they tuck into a hot scallop pie. The trick is to come with an empty stomach and book well in advance.

Stop 2: Bridport to Cradle Mountain

3 HRS | 197 KMS 

Breathe in Tasmania’s famous clear air at Cradle Mountain

If you’re chasing the gleeful magic of a landscape dusted in snow, head for the central highlands. The ancient pine forests and alpine heathlands that make up Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park are magnets for snowfall — and are home to plenty of pademelons and wombats found traipsing through the fresh powder.

This region is also a mecca for bushwalkers and adventurers, with Cradle Mountain offering a host of jaw-dropping walks that cater to most fitness levels and range from just a few hours to a few days. The walks are the perfect way to experience Tasmania’s winter wilderness (circumnavigating Dove Lake and wandering past wombats on the renowned Overland Track are highlights), but if you really want to become a winter person this Off Season, we’d recommend visiting Cradle Mountain Canyons for a kayak tour or a canyon adventure where you can launch yourself off waterfalls and abseil down cliffs.

If a deep soak, wine tastings and multi-course meals are more your pace, book a couple of nights at the homey Cradle Mountain Hotel.

Stop 3: Cradle Mountain to Strahan

2 HRS | 140 KMS 

Experience unpredictable beauty with a Gordon River cruise

As far as moody vistas go, few places beat the impulsive, natural extremes of the Gordon River during the Off Season. One minute it’s bluebird skies and the next it’s heavy rain and swirling pockets of fog. But the changeability is part of the charm of this historical and untouched UNESCO World Heritage Area on the West Coast. Gordon River Cruises immerses you in this alluring volatility and sails you through Hell's Gates onto the dark waters of the river, past ancient Huon pines and stops ashore at the 9th century penal colony.

Stop 4: Strahan to Hobart

4 HRS 40 MINS | 286 KMS 

Cosy up with a dram during Whisky Week

For several years now, Tasmanian whisky producers have been hot on the heels of the world’s most revered makers, collecting barrel-loads of accolades and prestigious international gongs. At last count, over 70 distilleries were operating across the island, harnessing the impeccable water, quality barley and near-perfect conditions for barrel maturation.

Explore this best-in-class lineup at the Tasmanian Whisky Week, held every August with celebrations across the North and South of Tasmania. The flagship event is the Tasmanian Spirit Showcase in Hobart, where you can meet the distillers and taste their finest drops. True whisky lovers can even follow the meandering ‘whisky trail’ which runs across the state and stitches together many of the key distilleries offering Off Season experiences and seasonal products.

A word of caution, however: alcohol and driving don’t mix, and while a whisky tasting usually amounts to one standard drink, it pays to think ahead and either appoint a designated driver, join a tour group that offers a shuttle service, or simply to stay at a nearby hotel. 

Another solution is to combine your road trip and accommodation by renting a van or motorhome.

Stop 5: Hobart to Coles Bay

2 HRS 40 MINS | 193 KMS 

Enjoy the quiet of Freycinet National Park

Winter is one of the best times to hit the trails of Freycinet National Park, as it feels as though you have some of Australia’s most speculator scenery all to yourself. Soak in the iconic views of Wineglass Bay, climb the granite peaks of Mount Amos and Mount Graham, and (if you’re game) dip into the turquoise waters of Great Oyster Bay with only the wildlife as company.

Top off these picture-perfect days with a stay at Freycinet Lodge, the only accommodation situated within the national park. Here you can dine on the East Coast’s best produce, book an in-room massage and stargaze the clear winter skies. Freycinet Lodge is also offering winter packages that bundle many of these experiences into attractive packages.

So, whether you're actively seeking adventure or just the space to relax and breathe, don't wait for summer to roll around; become a winter person in Tasmania by jumping on the road and immersing yourself in an Off Season experience.