Winter in Tasmania is all about embracing the cold and finding warmth in unexpected places. It’s about wrapping yourself in a soft scarf, sipping a glass of local pinot noir by a roaring fire, and gazing at a sky filled with stars that shine brightest in winter.
On my recent trip to the Apple Isle, I was struck by the clear, unpolluted skies. Stargazing tourism is unsurprisingly having a moment in Tasmania with its southern location allowing for views of the Aurora Australis (Southern Lights). With the island’s low population density and subsequent minimal light pollution, views of the night sky are simply mesmerising.
Exclusive Winter Experiences
There’s something magical about winter in Tasmania. The crisp air, the glow of a wood-fire, and the brilliance of a star-studded sky create a unique atmosphere that invites you to slow down and savour the moment. The Off Season is also a time to indulge in a huge array of 550 plus curated adventures designed to reset your senses and showcase why Tasmanians thrive when the temperature drops.
Here are my personal highlights:
- Truffle Hunting and Vineyard Tours: Pipers Brook Truffles is a family-owned truffle farm located in the pristine natural region of North Eastern Tasmania, in Pipers Brook. Established by Ian and Katherine St Jack, the farm specialises in cultivating premium quality Périgord black truffles. The guided truffle hunt with working dogs at Pipers Brook Truffles, followed by a vineyard pruning workshop at the House of Arras Cellar Door in Pipers River is as much about meeting the local producers and their faithful dogs as tasting the fare. This experience includes a tasty truffle lunch and is available now until August 10, 2025, starting at $280. Ian was responsible for the cooking on our visit and his home-cooked Osso Bucco with truffles, of course, was sensational.
- Fun Fact: Pipers Brook Truffles uses specially trained dogs, not pigs, to sniff out their prized Périgord black truffles! Dogs are gentler on the delicate truffles and less likely to gobble them up, making them the perfect four-legged harvest partners in the rich Tasmanian soil.
- Fun Fact: 2025 marks the 30th anniversary of House of Arras, Tasmania’s premier sparkling wine producer. Founded in 1995 by renowned winemaker Ed Carr, the winery has become synonymous with excellence in méthode traditionnelle sparkling wines.
- Twilight Chairlift Rides: Soar above Launceston’s Cataract Gorge and take the evening chairlift rides which only recently were opened up every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from June 1 to July 31, 2025. Being able to experience the breathtaking views of the gorge from above under the gentle glow of dusk and then walk down from the top across a draw bridge passing possums and wallabies along the way back really brings the child out in you, and for just $20. Fun Fact: The Cataract Gorge chairlift is the longest single-span chairlift in the world and now you can ride it at twilight!
- Pasta-Making Workshop and Luxury Stay: At Stillwater Seven, indulge in a three-hour pasta-making workshop under the guidance of a chef, culminating in a three-course pasta dinner paired with wine. Retire to a luxury suite with curated local breakfast provisions. This package is available now until August 31, 2025, starting at $1,195. Or, do what we did and simply dine at this excellent restaurant and savour the superb cuisine.
- Tennis-themed Wine Tasting Experience: Sampling wines at Holm Oak Vineyards Cellar Door includes hearing stories about tennis stars who inspired their names. The walls are decorated with tennis memorabilia, including Tasmanian-made racquets, which reflect the history of the Alexander Racquet Company established in the 1930s. The experience costs $40 per person, with a maximum group size of six, available on weekdays only. Fun Fact: The family run cellar door feels like a love match between fine wine and sporting legends. Game, set, sip!
- Carrington Mill Whiskey Tour: In the heart of Tasmania’s Midlands, the historic town of Oatlands is home to Callington Mill Distillery which is a standout winter destination that fuses rich heritage with world-class whisky. Set within a beautifully restored 1837 windmill, it’s now the southern hemisphere’s only working Lincolnshire tower mill, reimagined as a cutting-edge distillery. Personally, I don’t like whiskey but it didn’t stop me enjoying the tour and whisky tastings, especially as it followed the best pork belly meal I’ve ever had in my life. For something special, the Serendipity Experience lets you blend and bottle your own cask-strength whisky which is a perfect winter souvenir. Fun Fact: Callington Mill Distillery is the passion project of owner John Ibrahim, who grew up in Sydney’s West and once owned Caltex stations before building this state-of-the-art whisky distillery.
dAda mUse: The dAda mUse in Launceston, Tasmania, is unlike most art museums I’ve ever visited. Firstly, it’s privately owned which makes it distinctive and in a celebration of surrealism and dadaism, it houses Australia’s largest collection of Salvador Dalí’s works on paper. The highlight was hearing first-hand from Dr Brendan Vote, an eye surgeon and passionate art collector, who brings to life the magic of Dali’s drawings, prints, and etchings from his prolific 50-year career. I could have spent hours listening to Brendan talk about Dalí’s artistic process and evolution. Situated at 121 Cimitiere Street in Launceston, the museum occupies the historic 1842 Johnstone and Wilmot building, which has been thoughtfully renovated to preserve its heritage features while providing a contemporary space for this art exhibition. The museum’s two floors offer a dynamic viewing experience: the ground floor is open to the public free of charge, while the upper level requires a ticket and features guided or self-guided tours of rarer works, with exhibitions rotating every three months. Don’t miss this, it’s a must. For More info: dadamuse.com.au
Indulgent Accommodations
Tasmania’s winter accommodations offer the perfect blend of luxury and warmth:
- Peppers Silo Hotel: Embrace the cold and warm your soul in a Gorge Deluxe Room with sprawling views of the Tamar River. Enjoy a complimentary bottle of Utzinger Wines pinot noir and handcrafted stemless glasses by local artisan Uprising Glassware. Available from May 1 to August 31, 2025, starting at $289.
- Prospect Country House: Step back in time with a two-night stay at this historic 1832 estate in the Coal River Valley. The Winter Indulgence Package includes arrival wine, breakfast, dining vouchers, and a private tour of the historic convict cellar with a Pooley Estate wine tasting. Available from June 1 to August 31, 2025, priced at $880.
- The Tasman, A Luxury Collection Hotel, Hobart: Anchored to Hobart’s waterfront precinct, The Tasman seamlessly blends three distinct architectural eras of Georgian, Art Deco, and modern into a luxurious whole. Recognised as one of the World’s 50 Best Hotels in 2024, it offers an unparalleled guest experience. The hotel’s “Awarded and Rewarded” winter package includes two nights’ accommodation, a choice of whisky or wine tasting in the sandstone cellar, a bottle of Hellyers Road whisky, daily breakfast, and late check-out. Available until August 31, 2025, starting at $1,400.
Culinary Delights
Tasmania’s culinary scene shines in winter, with hearty meals and local produce taking centre stage:
- The Agrarian Kitchen: The Agrarian Kitchen in New Norfolk, Tasmania, is a renowned farm-to-table restaurant founded by chef Rodney Dunn and his wife, Séverine Demanet. In 2008, they transformed a 19th-century schoolhouse into a cooking school, emphasising sustainable, local cuisine. In 2017, they expanded by opening a restaurant in the historic Willow Court precinct, a former mental asylum. The restaurant offers a set lunch menu that changes daily, sourcing over 90% of its ingredients from its own magnificent one-acre walled garden. This commitment to local produce and sustainability earned The Agrarian Kitchen the title of “Restaurant of the Year” in the 2024 Gourmet Traveller awards, marking the first time a Tasmanian establishment received this honour. For more information or to make a reservation, visit The Agrarian Kitchen’s official website..The restaurant operates for lunch on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, with bookings essential.
- Fork It Farm: Fork It Farm is a small, family-run farm in Lebrina, Tasmania, about 30 minutes from Launceston. Owners Daniel and Kim Croker left city careers in Brisbane to embrace sustainable farming, raising heritage Berkshire pigs and other animals on open pastures. Their signature offering is the “Whole Hog Feast” which is an intimate paddock-to-plate dining experience for up to ten guests. The multi-course meal showcases every part of the pig, paired with local Tasmanian drinks and stunning farm views. The pork is without doubt the best I’ve ever eaten and it shows the difference in taste that you get from the ethical, hands-on farming practices. A paddock-to-plate dining adventure with the Croker’s Whole Hog Feasts are held in a rustic paddock setting and include multiple courses paired with Tasmanian wine, beer, and cider. Available until August 31, 2025, priced at $190 per person. Fun Fact: Fork It Farm founders Daniel and Kim Croker swapped corporate life in Brisbane for muddy boots and Berkshire pigs in Lebrina and never looked back!
Embrace the Off Season
Winter in Tasmania is not just a season; it’s an invitation to experience the island in a new light. With fewer crowds, exclusive experiences, and the warmth of Tasmanian hospitality, it’s the perfect time to explore, indulge, and reconnect. So, pack your warmest coat, bring your sense of adventure, and discover why winter is such an extraordinary time to travel to Tasmania.
More information here. https://www.discovertasmania.com.au/
