Happy’s Winter Guide To Tasmania

Pack your bag and get ready to ride the Tassie wave – where winter’s fresh air hits different, and good vibes are never far off.

Tasmania/Lutruwita isn’t just rugged wilderness and postcard-perfect towns (though it’s got plenty of both). It’s also home to some of the best music, festivals, markets, coastlines, and cold-season charm in the country. No one does winter like Tassie – this isn’t just about tourist hotspots, it’s about the whole island coming alive. The heart of it beats strongest in the colder months, and you can feel it.

From belting out tunes at Festival of Voices to truffle hunting, floating sauna boats and long walks on Kunanyi, you’ll still feel Dark Mofo’s pulse all over Hobart – even if you’re not heading to the festival itself. Because when Tassie does something, the whole island gets behind it. And yes – you can do it all – or just unwind and do a little.

Our Happy Mag guide is your go-to for everything from Hobart to Launceston (and the best bits in between). Tasmania is the place to be this winter.

Hobart

The Tasman

Tucked between Hobart’s CBD, the River Derwent and the base of kunanyi/Mount Wellington, The Tasman is easily one of the city’s best stays. It blends restored 1840s Georgian architecture with Art Deco detailing and a clean, modern finish, right in the heart of everything.

Location-wise, it’s hard to beat – Salamanca, Battery Point, the MONA ferry and local cellar doors are all a short walk away. But it’s the experience inside that really lands: genuinely great coffee, a standout breakfast showcasing Tassie produce, and consistently strong food and drinks across Peppina and Mary Mary.

Put simply, it’s stylish without being showy, and it delivers on all the basics really well.

THE TASMAN

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Pitzi

A stone’s throw from The Tasman, Pitzi is the kind of place you stumble into for a midweek bite and leave raving about days later. The more casual offshoot of Hobart fine-diner Fico, it’s cosy, buzzing, and full of charm—with a communal table up front, an open kitchen, and serious art cred thanks to a striking Tom Samek piece in the back.

The pastas? Ridiculously good – with gluten-free options that don’t feel like a compromise. Highlights include spaghetti with Italian XO, tagliatelle al limone with bottarga and pangrattato, candele al forno layered with tomato, scamorza and oregano, and tubettini in a rich Muscovy duck and porcini ragù.

Finish with the cassata ice cream sandwich or salted honey gelato with Swiss meringue and hibiscus. Add a glass (or two) from the banging wine list—heavy on Italian gems and Tassie drops—and you’ve got a new Hobart must.

PITZI

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Festival Of Voices

Festival of Voices returns to Festival of Voices in Hobart from 3–12 July 2026, marking 21 years of winter singing, community and mid-winter warmth.

The program is stacked, from the huge all-in energy of The Big Sing, to the women-led storytelling of Older. Wiser. Louder., plus Next Gen Voices with Auckland Youth Choir and the new Voices on the Road touring series.

It’s a mix of mass singalongs, workshops and travelling choirs, all built around the simple idea of getting people singing together.

FESTIVAL OF VOICES

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Salamanca Markets

Every Saturday from 8am–3pm, Hobart’s waterfront fills out with Salamanca Market, set among the city’s old sandstone warehouses. It’s a steady mix of over 300 stalls selling local art, handmade goods and Tassie produce like cherries, cheese and lavender.

There’s usually live music drifting through the crowds, food trucks on the go, and plenty of coffee and pastry stops in between. It’s busy without being overwhelming, and a simple way to spend a few hours by the water with locals and visitors all moving through the same space.

SALAMANCA MARKETS

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Mount Wellington/Kunanyi

Reaching a towering 1,271 meters (4,170 feet), Mount Wellington, also known by its Aboriginal name of Kunanyi, is the majestic dolerite giant that owns the Hobart skyline in Tassie. Part of the Wellington Ranges its multiple trails make up much of the  40-kilometer stretch of mountains north of Hobart.

Kunanyi isn’t just a pretty face – it’s home to unique plant and animal species like the Tasmanian devil, the spotted-tailed quoll, and the wedge-tailed eagle. Winter paints the summit in a snowy blanket, creating opportunities for skiing and snowboarding.

But this mountain isn’t just about nature – it holds cultural significance for the Aboriginal people of Tasmania. Home of the nine great spirits who shaped the world, it remains a sacred site for many Aboriginal communities.

MOUNT WELLINGTON/KUNYANI

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Dark Mofo

DARK MOFO

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Southern Lights

A trip to Tasmania isn’t complete without a shot at the Southern Lights, or Aurora Australis. Thanks to its position close to the South Pole and low light pollution, the state is one of the best places in Australia to see them, with displays sometimes visible from beaches, mountains and remote coastal spots.

Popular viewing areas include South Arm Peninsula, Bruny Island, Cradle Mountain–Lake St Clair National Park and kunanyi/Mount Wellington. It’s a waiting game – conditions need to line up – so checking aurora forecasts and getting away from city lights is key.

If it does hit, it’s one of those moments that makes the cold night worthwhile.

SOUTHERN LIGHTS

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Beaker Street Festival

Beaker Street Festival returns to Hobart from August 6 –17, celebrating its 10th anniversary with the theme “The Second Act.” The centerpiece is the world premiere of VAST: Where Sound Meets the Cosmos, an immersive 360° spatial-audio experience at the Theatre Royal.

Attendees can explore the Hobartica Antarctic precinct, visit the Roving Scientist Bar, and participate in late-night “TMAG After Dark” events. Keep an eye out for the full program, dropping late May.

BEAKER STREET FESTIVAL

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Willie Smith’s Mid Winter Series

Willie Smith’s Mid-Winter Series returns to the Huon Valley every Saturday in July 2026. This intimate alternative to the original massive festival celebrates Tasmania’s apple-growing heritage through ancient pagan traditions.

Guests can experience the Wassail – a rhythmic ritual to bless the orchard – alongside roaring bonfires, folk music, and local feasting. Highlights for 2026 include the Apple Shed Shindig on July 11, featuring a massive community “Cider Choir” singalong and live bluegrass.

WILLIE SMITH’S MID WINTER SERIES

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Launceston

Cataract Gorge

A stunning 5-kilometer gorge, just steps from downtown, boasts dolerite cliffs, native forests, and the South Esk River. Adventure awaits with a chairlift ride, riverside strolls, and challenging hikes. Kayak or paddleboard on calm waters, discovering waterfalls and hidden grottoes.

History buffs can delve into Aboriginal heritage and early settlements. The First Basin, a popular spot for swimming and recreation, offers a refreshing end to a day of exploration. As the sun sets, the gorge transforms with fairy lights and echoes of native wildlife.

CATARACT GORGE

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CRADLE MOUNTAIN

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The Harvest Market Launceston, a vibrant farmers’ market operates every Saturday from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm, connecting you directly with Tasmanian producers.

Expect a diverse range of fresh produce, handmade foods, artisan products, and a lively atmosphere with live music. The market prioritizes sustainability, supporting local producers using organic methods and reducing waste. Open regardless of weather, with nearby parking, but no pooches allowed, and bring cash as not all stalls accept eftpos.

HARVEST MARKET

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The Truffledore, in North West Tasmania, is the place to be in Tassie if you want to live and breathe all things truffle. Owned by Ina and Timo since early 2019, this farm specialises in French Black Winter Truffles – and trust us when we say, it doesn’t get much better than this.

Experience their farm firsthand with curated small group or private tours, tailored to the seasonality of their produce. Visit their tasting room and farm shop during seasonal opening hours or stay in one of their self-contained cottages, each offering a cooked farmhouse breakfast featuring their famous truffle omelette!

THE TRUFFLEDORE

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