Winter in Tasmania is an un-obvious choice. Sure. But that’s why you’re reading this, right? You’re tempted by something different. Unique. Surprising. An experience to shake off those heavy, mid-year blues. Uncoil into lightness again. Well it’s time to layer up and pull a beanie on. Book a plane ride and get ready to let loose. Because winter in Tasmania is an edgy, sophisticated, unyieldingly raw, fiery, brooding, freeing vibe. It’s dark, and full of beautiful lights. It’s rollicking Tasmanian festivals in muddy boots. And all of that contradiction is where the magic is. So don’t hibernate at home. Experience 2024’s hottest getaway instead. Tasmania’s wildest, weirdest, winter-only experiences. Here’s 18 of the best.
Why spend winter in Tasmania
In two words: Tasmanian festivals. Winter is when they’re at their bonfire-ing best.
And they’re not just any festivals.
We’re talking uniquely Tasmanian experiences that embrace the winter and love it like it should be loved. It’s part of the culture down here. To cosy up and settle in for winter. But also to get out amongst it. Enjoy the frosted landscapes, crisp air, rugged coastlines and snow-capped distant mountain peaks. Muddy boots, knitted scarves, fuzzy earmuffs and all.
Tasmania does winter well. Revels in it. And Tasmanian festivals bring out the best of winter here. And they bring out the best in festival-going Tasmaniacs, who know just how to make winter a rip-roaring good fun adventure.
What to do in winter in Tasmania
What to do in Tasmania in June
1. Whiskey nips and fire pits
Dark Lark at the The Still.
No, I’m not talking in tongues or dropping code.
Rather it’s THE whiskey tasting experience of Tasmania’s winter. Lark makes a silky smooth single malt called ‘Dark Lark Whiskey’. The Still in Hobart is whiskey boffin gathering ground. And what better way to warm yourself on a brooding winter night?
The good news is, Tasmania is choc full of whiskey distilleries offering warming winter tastings, fireside. Winter in Tasmania is when you head indoors, peel off the layers, sink a fiery dram of liquid gold, and cosy up with all your peeps.
For a self guided Tasmanian pilgrimage in the quest for Australia’s greatest single malts, grab our Tasmania Whiskey Trails Map.
When is it: All winter long baby!
2. Dark MOFO
You’ve probably heard of it. Tasmania’s Dark MOFO festival – the ultimate winter escapade for the bold and the brave.
Picture this: dark chilly nights aglow, music pulsating through the chilly air, and the scent of adventure mingling with the smoke of crackling bonfires. At Dark MOFO, you’ll wander through an ‘other-worldly’ wonderland of art installations that defy logic and see performances that push the boundaries of imagination. Expect everything from eerie light shows to jaw-dropping spectacles that’ll leave you questioning reality.
Here’s some more of what to expect:
Winter feast
Hobart’s Winter Feast brings together food stalls and pop-up restaurants serving up everything from fresh seafood to gourmet street food, all accompanied by Tasmanian wines, craft beers, and spirits. The feast is usually held in a unique venue, with long communal tables and atmospheric lighting, creating a cool edgy atmosphere where festival-goers can gather, indulge, and socialize. It’s a highlight of the Dark Mofo experience.
MONA’s Night Shift
As the winter sun sets, MONA transforms into a nocturnal wonderland for the glitterarti. Night Shift a two-story late night dance party surrounded by a bunch of avante-gard art. What could be weirder or more fun?
Gala at MONA
Step into the epitome of glamour and extravagance at Gala, MONA’s exclusive mid-winter soirée. Set against the backdrop of MONA’s iconic architecture and breathtaking views, Gala is all opulence, entertainment, and hedonistic delight. From sumptuous culinary creations to captivating performances, Gala brings sophistication and decadence to Hobart’s winter chill. A small number of tickets will be made available to the public this year.
Nude Solstice Swim
Tasmaniacs do crazy things in the depths of winter. This one marks the longest night of the year in the most unforgettable way. Against the backdrop of Hobart’s pretty River Derwent, join other daredevils and free spirits to shed your inhibitions and undies. It’s like the ice bucket challenge and a cold water plunge, but without your clothes on. Fun.
So grab your crew, bundle up, and prepare to dance with the darkness at Dark Mofo: it’s art after dark, with a wild winter twist.
When is it: 13 – 23 June. Bookings essential.
3. Festival of Voices
The Festival of Voices is where Hobart’s wintery streets come alive with music and voice. There’s something primal about singing with a bunch of strangers around a fire that connects people in uplifting ways. And it’s weird enough to feature on Hobart’s winter festival calendar.
Expect melodies weaving through the historic venues and spilling out onto the cobblestone streets of Battery Point, along with the good cheer of fellow music lovers.
Whether you’re belting out your favourite tunes in a choir workshop, swaying to the rhythm of a live band, or simply soaking in the electric atmosphere, the Festival of Voices is an place to connect, celebrate, and embrace the power of music.
When is it: From 28 June. Bookings essential.
4. Amazing star gazing
Tasmania wears winter like a badge of honour. And why not? It’s an exquisitely beautiful time to visit. Snow dusted mountains. Frost covered landscapes. Aurora dancing in the night sky. And the stars are something else.
Winter is the best time of year to look up and grin.
It’s a special time to book a Tasmanian Tiny House, set up a fire pit, pour yourself a warming whiskey or port, relax back into an Adirondack, and star gaze.
Not only will you have Tasmania’s unique location in the Southern Ocean and Australia’s best access to the aurora, you’ll also have darkness and plenty of it. A perfect combination for incredible night skies, on crisp clear winter nights.
5. Bay of Fires Winter Arts Festival
The Bay of Fires is a highlight on many a Tasmania travel itinerary. But the rugged St Helens coastline transforms into a canvas for creativity and inspiration in June.
As the winter chill descends, the shores of the Bay of Fires come alive with the vibrant colours of art and community. You can stroll along sandy beaches, encountering captivating sculptures, mesmerizing installations, and thought-provoking performances. It’s an event for art enthusiasts, nature lovers, and everyone in between.
With the 2024 program ‘Secret people, secret places’, this year’s festival promises all the intrigue and mystery of a true Tasmanian winter.
When is it: From 7 June. Free event.
6. Lobster and Light Beams
The sleepy seaside town of Bicheno in Tasmania’s North lights up for the family friendly winter event Bicheno Beams.
Rug up, grab a fresh lobster roll from The Lobster Shack and head seaward with your thermos and blankets. You’re in for a spectacle from this outdoor music-synced laser light show. Bicheno Beams is for everyone. But the kids will love it.
When is it: Daily from 29 June until mid July. Free event.
What to do in Tasmania in July
7. Alpine snow fights & wintery mountain hikes
The top 5 spots to see snow in Tasmania in winter all involve picturesque mountains. And who doesn’t love a mountain vista backdrop for an epic, all-in snow fight?
Here’s your list of where to find snow during winter in Tasmania:
- Kunanyi / Mount Wellington: a 40 minute drive from Hobart, Kunanyi gives stunning views of the city and surrounding areas, and is often dusted with snow during winter.
- Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park: This iconic wilderness area in the central highlands cops regular snowfall during May, July and August, creating a picturesque winter wonderland. This is where we recommend going to see snow because a snow-capped Cradle Mountain will live rent free in your head forever, it’s just that pretty.
- Ben Lomond National Park: Known for its ski fields and alpine landscapes, Ben Lomond is one of the most popular spots to see and experience snow. It’s located in the northeast of the state nearest Launceston.
- Mount Field National Park: A hop, skip and jump from Hobart, Mount Field National Park features beautiful forests, waterfalls, and alpine scenery that us often dusted with snow in winter.
- Central Plateau Conservation Area: This remote and rugged area in the heart of Tasmania is renowned for its alpine landscapes and is another great spot to see snow during the winter months. So much snow that 4WD are necessary to access this place in winter.
For more about catching snow drifts at Cradle Mountain, read our Ultimate Guide to Breathtaking Winter at Cradle Mountain.
8. Permission to Trespass
Ready to join the winter rebellion?
Permission to Trespass is a festival to embrace the unexpected. Think secret gatherings in hidden locations, clandestine art installations and covert Tasmanian experiences in unconventional spaces.
Permission to Trespass is built around the idea that rules are meant to be broken and boundaries crossed, all in the celebration of North West Tasmania’s culinary and cultural best.
Get access to out of bound destinations. Peak behind locked gates. There will be bonfires and long table lunches, sommeliers and gin alchemy. It’s a winter-only festival that’s purposely vague on details, but huge on adventure.
When is it: From 2 June. Bookings essential.
9. Huon Valley Midwinter Festival
Tasmania in winter brings the kooky out in Tasmaniacs. And that’s just the way we love it.
Case in point is the Huon Valley Midwinter Festival. Not only do revellers take part in ceremonies to bless the apple trees, they also gather for the iconic burning of Big Willie – the giant (15 meter) festival effigy.
Here, you can raise a toast of locally brewed cider, dance with other festival goers to live music, immerse yourself in the enchanting atmosphere, and wassail up the wazoo.
If it sounds weird, that’s because it is.
Weird is a theme shared across charming winter’s we’ve spent on Tasmania’s cultural trails. It’s a gloriously fun kind of weird. The kind you only find on dark winter nights in Tasmania.
2024 will be the festival’s last hurrah. Even more reason to be there.
For the final time
Willie Smith’s
we Wassail thee
old apple tree
dancing hand in hand.
When is it: July 12 and 13. Only 2500 tickets available.
10. Devonport Jazz Festival
There’s generally not much touristy going on in Devonport, but July is an exception.
The Devonport Jazz Festival will bring together toe-tapping jazz enthusiasts to celebrate the soulful sounds of local and international jazz musicians. From intimate performances in cozy venues to lively jam sessions in busy bars, it’s a great excuse to check out Tasmania’s incredible North West on your travels.
Another reason to go is the overlap with another Devonport event, Lumino City which brings light, art and music together around the Paranaple Precinct in Devonport CBD.
Time to get jiggy with it down in Tassie is a sentence I never thought I’d say out loud.
When is it: 25 – 28 July. Tickets essential.
11. Winter wine odyssey
What better time to enjoy the best of Tasmania’s cool climate wines than in the coolest climate?
We’re talking cozy cellar doors and boutique wineries, where you’ll sip velvety cool-climate wines in front of crackling open log fires. Savour a rich Pinot Noir and gaze outside at the classic Tasmanian rural landscape. Take in the aroma of oak barrels and the essence of Tasmanian hospitality on wine making tours. Chow down on artfully paired dishes prepared by expert local chefs in the on-site restaurant.
The wine is Tasmanian and the experience is world class.
With 108 wineries on our Tasmania Winery Trail map, most of which offer cellar door tastings, we might just have to roll you back on your plane at the end of your trip. But damn, it’ll be fun while you’re here.
When is it: All winter. Dedicated driver a must.
What to do in Tasmania in August
12. Roaring winter waterfalls
By the time August comes around, Tasmania’s generally pretty wet. It’s the rainiest time of year around much of the island. But instead of letting the rain drive them inside to hibernate, Tasmaniacs take it all as part of winter’s great adventure.
And one of winter’s greatest thrills is getting up close and personal with nature. August in particular is when Tasmania’s many stunning waterfalls are at their spectacular best.
Waterfalls are central to the winter landscape in Tassie. Many of the best hikes lead to waterfalls and although you’re slogging through mud much of the time, when that slog is on holidays and with a mate, it’s all part of the winter fun.
When is it: All winter. Waterproof boots essential.
13. Whale trails
Winter brings whales through these parts of the Southern Ocean and Tasman Sea. And we’re here for it.
But where to catch a glimpse of these gentle giants of the sea?
Secret spots along Tasmania’s east coast. Because here begins and ends Tasmania’s whale watching trails.
Starting from the towering cliffs of the Tasman Peninsula, you’ll find exceptional winter whale watching opportunities peppered along the Freycinet Peninsula, as well as in Great Oyster Bay, particularly during the southern migration season from May to July.
The sea around Maria Island and Bruny Island, as well as the southern Tasmanian coastline near Southport, also offer up excellent vantage points for observing these majestic creatures as they pass by our pretty shores.
So when you come down for winter, don’t forget to explore Tassie’s coastal viewpoints and secluded beaches in these locations. Scan the winter horizon seaward, and you may just get lucky enough to spot a whale.
When is it: From May, with luck on your side.
14. Fire & Fog
Launceston’s Fire and Fog festival puts on a mesmerizing display of light, and sound around the streets of Launceston, where flickering flames illuminate the darkness and mysterious fog blankets often blankets the city.
Gathering with you in Civic Square will be performers, musicians and producers of Launceston’s best food and drink. All imbibed and enjoyed around crackling bonfires, while sharing stories and warmth on cold winter nights.
When is it: 4 – 5 August.
15. Tasmanian Whiskey Week
It wouldn’t be winter in Tasmania without whiskey. The fine single malt kind.
Whiskey Week is your best opportunity all year to immerse yourself in the rich world of Tasmanian whisky, an tasty celebration of craftsmanship, heritage, and flavor.
Imagine wandering your way though the distilleries and tasting rooms of Tasmania’s renowned whisky distillers, surrounded by by fellow whiskey enthusiasts and connoisseurs,
Even better, it’s the opportunity to sample Tasmania’s award-winning whiskies and rare single malts, straight from the barrels they’re aged in.
Tasmanian Whiskey Week has behind-the-scenes distillery tours and intimate masterclasses with Tassie’s master distillers. If the art and science of whisky-making is your jam, this festival has you covered. It’s not just a festival for seasoned aficionado. Newcomers to the whiskey scene are welcome to raise a glass to the tradition, innovation, and spirit (excuse the pun) that has propelled Tassie whiskey onto the world stage.
It may sound like a strange combo, but if you’re into whiskey and science, chilly Hobart in early August should be your ground zero. Read on about the Beaker Street Festival to find out why.
When is it: 5 – 11 August.
16. Beaker Street Festival
What could be more Tasmanian that science meets beer, wine and whiskey?
Want to share a drink with a genius scientist? Here’s your chance.
It’s the Beaker Street Festival.
Imagine a program of science-based installations and talks, immersive laboratories and interactive exhibits. Then add pubs and bars in the mix. From mind-bending experiments to scientist-led tours, this festival invites you to explore the intersection of science, technology, culture and food. Join scientists, artists, and thinkers from around the world as they come together to ignite curiosity and spark conversations about the wonders of the universe. Over a bar table of course.
How fascinating and fun!
If you’re an science enthusiast, curious about the world around you, or just want a different kind of festival, the Beaker Street one is for you.
When is it: 6 – 13 August.
17. Chocolate Winterfest
Chocolate lovers assemble!
Indulge your sweet tooth and get decadent at Tasmania’s Chocolate Winterfest in downtown Latrobe. You’ll find artisanal chocolatiers like Anvers House of Chocolate showcasing their delectable creations and mouthwatering chocolate-inspired treats. There’s usually chocolate-making demonstrations, tastings of exquisite cocoa creations, and chocolate sculptures that defy imagination (and gravity).
Because Tasmania in winter demands a hot cup of cocoa after all.
Or even better, a Chocolate High Tea.
Along with live music, entertainment, and creative activities for all ages, it’s one to warm your heart and satisfy those wicked choc-cravings.
When is it: 13 August.
18. Stanley and Tarkine Forage Festival
The ancient forests of the Tarkine are both epic and iconic. Mesozoic even.
So fancy being guided through them by expert foragers to hunt for wild mushrooms (I know what you’re thinking, there’s trust involved), forest herbs, native berries and edible flowers!
The Forage Festival connects you with the land of Lutruwita (Tasmania) in a truly immersive way. You can eat what you pick when local chefs transform these wild ingredients into dishes that showcase the flavors of some of the oldest old growth forest on Earth.
Expect communal feasts under the stars, guided bush walks, and workshops on wild food preparation. You’ll stay in a beautiful part of the world, eat great food, and learn interesting things.
How bloody fabulous.
When is it: sometime in August!
How to experience winter in Tasmania
The first thing to know is when to go.
June, July and August are the winter months down here. But you’ll find unique winter holiday and travel offerings starting from April. You just won’t feel the same cold or see snow then.
For the best Tasmanian festivals, we recommend travelling in the core winter months of June to August.
Next is the how.
Fly into Hobart and then set off on your own Self guided driving holiday. They’re a hugely popular way to see Tasmania. Winter is no different. The roads can be wet and icy, and a few spots around the Central Highlands and Central Plateaux aren’t attainable without a 4WD. But all of the festivals and activities we’ve guided you though here definitely are.
For a self driving holiday of Tasmania, you’ll either need to hire a car or bring yours over on the Spirit of Tasmania.
If you find self guided travel planning painful, check out our Tasmanian Culture Trail Map. It’s gives you private access to Google locations for all of the festivals here and their 2024 dates, in one accessible mobile phone Googley map.
Like a ready-made itinerary in your pocket when you come! And we hope that’s this winter.
