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Happy’s Winter Guide To Tasmania

happy mag 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.

 

happys guide to tasmania

Hobart

Festival Of Voices

From 27 June to 6 July, Festival of Voices returns to Hobart, marking 20 years of music, community and mid-winter warmth. With over 70 ticketed events and more than 220 free performances, this year’s festival is shaping up to be its biggest yet.

Kicking things off is The Big Sing, a free, all-ages group singalong in the heart of the city—featuring artists like Beccy Cole, Michelle Brasier, and Uncle Gus & the Rimshots. It’s the kind of event where strangers become choir mates.

You’ll also find performances by  world-class choirs from New Zealand, Germany and Catalonia, plus workshops, pop-up gigs, and plenty of family-friendly fun.

Don’t miss Vika and Linda Bull on their national tour, jazz legend Vince Jones, the Frankston Ladies Choir, Chantefique, the Ukrainian Choir and more.

Jazz fans, mark it down: Vince Jones reunites with Paul Grabowsky for a special set, nearly a decade after their ARIA-winning album Provenance.

Whether you’re a seasoned singer or just want to hum along, there’s space for everyone. So rug up, grab a hot drink, and join in. This is Tasmania’s winter at its most joyful.

The Festival of Voices returns for 2025.

FESTIVAL OF VOICES

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Salamanca Markets

Kick back in Hobart’s historic sandstone warehouses every Saturday at the buzzing Salamanca Market. Over 300 stalls spill onto the waterfront, flaunting Tassie’s coolest stuff – local art, unique handmade gifts, and stalls loaded with fresh produce like cherries, cheeses, and fragrant lavender bundles.

Live tunes, tempting food truck smells, and the lively banter of locals and wanderers set the mood. Treat yourself to melt-in-your-mouth pastries or sip Tasmanian cider, and soak in the energy of this top-tier market.

salamanca markets tassie

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 kunanyi tassie

MOUNT WELLINGTON/KUNYANI
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Dark Mofo

After taking a breather last year, Dark Mofo is back is back — red lights blazing, rituals ignited, and the Winter Feast front and centre. Running over two weekends (June 5–8 and 12–15), the beloved solstice banquet transforms Hobart’s Princes Wharf into a roaring celebration of fire, flavour, and community. Think candlelight, hot cider, and wallaby wings glazed in gochujang.

This year, Mumbai’s Niyati Rao teams up with Stillwater’s Craig Will and co. for a wild Indo-Tasmanian menu, while Analiese Gregory returns with baby abalone skewers grilled over flames. Add moody drinks from Common Wine and Moo Brew’s exclusive dark stout, and you’ve got a full belly and a happy soul.

The feast is just one part of a program stacked with sensory overload – from shape-shifting art installations and naked swims to Beth Gibbons and Night Mass chaos. Whether you’re a seasoned sinner or a curious first-timer, Dark Mofo 2025 promises a ride like no other.

mofo winter tassie festival

DARK MOFO

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Southern Lights

Discover the Southern Lights, aka the Aurora Australis, right in Tasmania—no need to travel to Norway for a natural light show. Nestled close to the South Pole with minimal light pollution, Tassie offers prime viewing spots, from remote beaches to mountain peaks.

Tips: monitor geomagnetic forecasts, escape city lights for pristine locations, bundle up, and bring a strong camera game. Key spots include South Arm Peninsula, Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park, Bruny Island, and Mount Wellington.

For guidance, check Tasmania’s Parks & Wildlife Service or join guided aurora chasing tours. With planning, patience, and luck, Tassie may gift you a celestial dance to remember.

Aurora Australis Tasmania

Southern Lights

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Beaker Street Festival

Beaker Street Festival is where science gets weird, wild and seriously fun. Every August, thousands of curious minds roll into Tassie to get stuck into big ideas, mind-bending talks and unexpected adventures—all wrapped up in the moody magic of a Tasmanian winter.

Over the years, it’s pulled some seriously big brains—from Nobel Prize winner Brian Schmidt and Aussie astronaut Katherine Bennell-Pegg to TikTok fave AstroKirsten and environmental icon Tim Flannery. Throw in science stars like Dr Karl, Tegan Taylor, Adam Spencer and Wendy Zukerman, and you’ve got a festival that’s anything but your average lecture.

It’s all happening again from 12–19 August 2025 in Nipaluna/Hobart and beyond. Keep an eye out for the full program, dropping late May.

beaker street festival nocturna 2024 tassie off season

BEAKER STREET FESTIVAL

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Wille Smith’s Mid Winter Series

There’s a lot to love about this crew—especially their cider, which is seriously ace when warmed up with a few spices (you can find the recipe on their website). Plus, they’ve been a solid Tasmanian staple for years.

To celebrate the off season – Willie Smith’s Mid Winter Series is bringing you three amazing events: Feast & Storytelling– Enjoy a delicious 3-course dinner paired with storytelling featuring Young Dawkins and more. The Pagan Gala – Dress up in your best pagan finery and dance the night away at this lively and magical celebration. And Family Fun & Wassail –  Join the fun with traditional wassailing — singing to the old apple trees and hoping for a great harvest.

Willie Smith’s cider, made from organic Huon Valley apples, will be flowing all weekend — the perfect way to warm up and soak in the spirit of Tassie.

the off season events - 2025 - mid winter sessions - willie smiths

WILLIE SMITH’S MID WINTER SESSIONS

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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

CATARACT GORGE

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Cradle Mountain

Cradle Mountain is a sensory overload of epic proportions, ranging from lush rainforests to cool glacial lakes. Whether you’re hiking to the summit or strolling around Dove Lake, you can enjoy ancient rainforests, waterfalls, and maybe spot some of Tassie’s wildlife – wombats, wallabies, and kookaburras, along the way.

No need to stick to one season; Cradle Mountain hosts year-round gigs with hiking, biking, and kayaking in warmer months, and snowshoeing and ice climbing in winter.

A heads up for road trippers: It’s a  2-hour drive from Launceston or a  4-hour drive from Hobart. The park’s got you covered with a visitor center, cafes, and campgrounds.

cradle mountain tassie

CRADLE MOUNTAIN

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Harvest Market

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.

HARVETS MARKET

HARVEST MARKET

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The Truffledore

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 tassie best truffles

THE TRUFFLEDORE

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