Nine must-do highlights of Tasmania in winter
By Andrew Bain
Once shunned, now shining, Tasmanian winters have become a thing to embrace, whether tackling them head-on with cold-water plunges and caving adventures, or simply settling before a fire with a local whisky.
The cold plunge
Take an icy plunge in North West Bay River.
Be it naked on the winter solstice, or a ritual dawn swim, cold water has become a Tasmanian way of life. Join the movement on a Wild Wellness Fire and Ice Walk, hiking onto the slopes of kunanyi/Mt Wellington to take an icy plunge in North West Bay River under the watch of local Wim Hof Method instructor Piet Blokker. In winter, the water might be snowmelt, turning two minutes into a frigid lifetime. The subsequent barbecue and wood stove are the perfect thaw. See walkonkunanyi.com.au
The distillery
Cross the threshold of a modest tin shed on a coastal bush block near Orford, and it’s like stepping through the looking glass. Spring Bay Distillery’s ‘Smooth as Velvet’ winter tasting experience transports you into a makeshift salon featuring the red velvet lounge suite from co-owner Suzy Brett’s childhood home in Dublin. Surrounded by barrels, and peering through the shed’s roller door to the waters of Spring Bay, you’ll work your way through a flight of three whiskies matched with hand-made chocolates from Coal River Farm. See springbaydistillery.com.au
The warming bar
The Tasman's stylish hotel bar, Mary Mary.
Tucked into a corner of Hobart’s five-star The Tasman, cocktail bar Mary Mary – once the 19th-century St Mary’s Hospital – has a winter welcome as warm as its bookending fireplaces. Order the aromatic, spice-infused hot toddy, or pick from the classic cocktail list with a Tassie twist – a Manhattan with beeswax, perhaps? Food comes direct from the adjoining kitchen in Peppina, one of Hobart’s finest Italian restaurants. See marymarybar.com
The glamping
The view from the outdoor bath is a highlight.
Tiered into slopes above Richmond, Aquila Glamping’s safari tent and trio of pods are inspired by Tasmanian birdlife – Aquila takes its name from the Tasmanian wedge-tailed eagle (Aquila audax fleayi). The property has a fitting bird’s-eye view over the vine-covered Coal Valley, and delivers a winter welcome of cheese, chocolates and local pinot noir. The best bit? The outdoor bath on the tent’s deck, looking out to the sandstone cliff that was quarried to build Richmond Bridge, Australia’s oldest stone-arch bridge. See aquilaglamping.com.au
The dark tasting
Tasmania is truly the Apple Isle at Brady’s Lookout Cider, the only cidery in Australia specialising in the méthode traditionelle technique, producing cider in the same method as champagne. Its ‘Embrace the Dark’ winter experience takes you beyond the tasting room and into the cellar where, under candlelight, you’ll don a mask to focus your senses on the palate. After blind-tasting four ciders made from the 85 apple varieties growing in the cidery’s orchard, you’ll make your own cider to your preferred taste profile. See bradyslookoutcider.com.au
The restaurant
Personal dining experiences are a Tasmanian trademark, even in the fine-dining setting of Launceston’s Stelo at Pierre’s. The five-course, chef-led winter menu celebrates the likes of oysters and scallops – which are at their best in winter – along with wild Tasmanian venison. The menu includes a private chef’s tour of the kitchen. After dinner, slip next door to Bar Stelo for its winter flight of a trio of quality Tasmanian whiskies. See stelotas.com
The truffle hunt
Winter is truffle-harvest season in Tasmania, bringing the chance to join Bindi, Ace and the other labradors in the hunt for black gold at Truffles of Tasmania. The state’s largest truffle farm runs immersive winter tours, inviting visitors to follow the dogs through the rows of 14,000 oaks – a quick paw scratch at the earth and the search is on for black truffles. Dig yourself, or simply watch the truffle hunters at work, then enjoy a platter of Tassie produce, accented by truffles, of course. See trufflesoftasmania.com.au
The farmstay
The Stable at Twamley Farm.
An hour’s drive outside of Hobart, tucked into the edge of the Prosser Plain near Buckland, Twamley Farm still bears the name of its most famous resident – 19th-century writer Louisa Anna Meredith (nee Twamley). With three accommodation offerings, including an original shearers’ hut and the modern-meets-retro Farm Pod, Twamley’s warming ways are largely natural. Hike to the top of Charlie’s Hill for a surprise summit treat (hint: it might involve a sneakily hidden decanter of port), or grab a bike to explore the farm’s various huts and hills. Winter stays bring homemade pumpkin soup on the firepit, and a fire-warmed hot tub at the Farm Pod. See twamleyfarm.com.au
The caving adventure
Explore subterranean beauties with Wild Cave Adventures.Credit: Tourism Tasmania
Mole Creek National Park is punctured by around 300 caves, and while they’re dry most of the year, they flow fresh with water in winter. Wild Caves Tours run adventure trips into little-visited caves, exploring subterranean beauties such as the glow-worm chamber and reflective pools in delicate Sassafras Cave, and rushing underground waterfalls through maze-like Honeycomb Cave. See wildcavetours.com
One more thing
Some winter nights, you just don’t want to leave your warm accommodation for dinner, so let the chef come to you at long-standing Eagles Nest Retreat. Bookings at the three luxury ‘nests’, looking onto the craggy face of Mt Roland, include the option of a ‘Dream Chef’ experience, with one of three local chefs stopping by to prepare a three-course dinner. At meal’s end, head to one of the outdoor spas for a star-filled finish. See eaglesnestretreat.com.au
Andrew Bain travelled courtesy of Tourism Tasmania.
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