Winter getaway to Tasmania

Winter in Australia is the perfect excuse to head north (for the most part), explore and enjoy some of the nation’s best beach destinations. Say goodbye to seasonal sadness and hello to sunshine and good times. Here are the best winter long weekends by the beach that will warm you inside and out. 

Held annually in the last week of July, the Devonport Jazz Festival is one of Tasmnania’s top events. Drawing together a lineup of leading musicians from across Australia and the world - this is where the cool season heats up with a smooth mix of traditional and modern jazz, funk fusion, blues and more. 

The event is held with dinners, dances and concerts throughout the city, from  restaurants to pubs, clubs and other venues. Past themes have incorporated Tasmaia’s leading charms, including food and wine, held in honour of Launceston’ official crown as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy and one of the world’s best foodie destinations.

A little further west along Tasmania’s north coast is the Narawntapu National Park, a stunning coastal stretch of scenic trails, breathtaking views and abundant natural wildlife. Often known as the Tasmanian Serengeti, this park is ideal for spotting kangaroos, wallabies and wombats - and even Tasmanian devils.

Stretching between the long Badger Beach and Bakers Beach, the trails in the park wind through grasslands, woodlands and heath, all home to thriving bird communities and coastal flora. The two hour Springlawn Nature Walk will take you right past a bird hide. If you’re keen for a more challenging day walk, the 21km Coastal Traverse covers the Badger Head and West Head headlands.

A trove of artefacts and exhibits, the Bass and Flinders Maritime Museum takes you on a journey of historic discoveries and personal triumphs. Following the path of Bass and Flinders, who set out to chart Tasmania’s dramatic coastline in 1798, this museum is home to a full-sized replica of the Norfolk - the ship used by the explorers to navigate the wild and wooly Tasmanian waters. 

Other historic boats represented in detail including the Tom Thumb and the whale boat Elizabeth.Join one of the behind-the-scenes tours and learn how the iconic vessel made their way to George Town.You can also join a guide and climb down into the Norfolks lower deck and cabins.

Where to stay 

A cozy hotel with comfortable accommodation and modern amenities, Comfort Inn Devonport is only minutes away from all the best things to do in Devonport - as well as stunning coastal attractions including Mersey Bluff and East Devonport Beach.

If you’re looking for a pure winter wine experience, you should head to the Tamar Valley Wine Trail. Known for it crisp rieslings and elegant pinot noirs, this cool-climate wine country is home to around thirty cellar doors here, from the well-known Jansz Wine Room, to Clover Hill Wines and Pipers Brook Vineyard, and single vineyard boutique wineries such as Swinging Gate Vineyard. Sipping a speciality by the fire is one of the best ways to experience Launceston in winter. 

And of course, there are other liquid delights to imbibe, including some world-class Three Cuts Gin at Turner Stillhouse and refreshing local beers on tap at the Miners Gold Brewery. If you want a really special experience, you can also hire a Unique Charters flight helicopter tour, for a scenic flight between a choice of three cellar doors.

One of Tasmanai’s top attractions, and only a short walk from the centre of Launceston,  Cataract Gorge is a wonderful natural formation adorned with undulating gardens and walking trails. The crisp cooler months add an extra layer of magic, with the The King’s Bridge Cataract Walk pathway following the Gorge beside the river, into the gorge and past the  waterfalls and Basin.

Another way to take in the scenery is on the Scenic Chairlift - a chairlift with the longest span in the world - before grabbing a bite to eat at the Basin Cafe. A Cataract Gorge Cruise will also reward you with a stunning view of the gorge as you cruise the river on-board the 1890’s replica Lady Launceston. This is also one of the best places to visit in Tasmania in winter at night when the stars shine brilliantly.

From dinosaur bones to famous Australian and international artworks, the Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery is the perfect place to warm to a world of discovery. With a wealth of Tasmanian natural history, as well as immersive science and expansive art collections, you’ll find plenty of artefacts and personal items dating back to 1842.

At the museum’s second site in Inveresk you can also go star-gazing and learn about astronomy at the Planetarium. Take to the stars as you watch one of the captivating and educational film on sitting back and Planetarium's 8-metre-diameter dome. The screenings are followed by a live tour of the night sky. 

Warm your spirit with a wee dram and meet the whiskey makers at Tasmanian Whisky Week. One of the leading things to do in Tasmania in winter, with events held right around the state this annual event showcases the best of Tasmanian distilleries, whiskies and spirits. Held over seven days in August, this event brings together over 40 distilleries and 20 events, all building up to The Tasmanian Spirit Showcase.

Where to stay 

You’ll find plenty of things to do in Launceston right on your doorstep when you atay at the historic Quality Hotel Colonial Launceston. Built in 1876 and classified by the National Trust, these lodgings offer modern facilities with a heritage charm, all within walking distance of local highlights.

George Town is also home to the largest penguin rookery in Tasmania at the Low Head Coastal Reserve on the north east coast of Tasmania. Watch as the little blue penguins emerge from their day out fishing for food in the Bass Strait and return to their burrows. Wrap up and join a nightly Low Head Penguin Tour to see little penguins (also known as fairy penguins) waddling home from the sea. 

For a birdseye view of the surrounding coastline, climb the hill to the Low Head Lighthouse, a red-and-white tower that has guided mariners since the 1830s. The Low Head Lighthouse Marine Education Centre also provides seasonal guided tours, which teach you more about the wonderful world of surrounding marine life, from the giant crabs to penguins. 

Where to stay

Comfort Inn The Pier is the ideal hotel accommodation option for things to do in George Town, Tasmania. Perfectly situated in George Town’s city centre this beautiful historic hotel overlooks the stunning waters of the Tamar River.