Happy’s Winter Guide To Tasmania

Throw your gear together, and get ready to ride the Tassie wave, where happiness is just around the bend, my friend!

Hobart

Festival Of Voices

The iconic Festival of Voices kicks off from June 28 to July 7, 2024. Launched in 2005, this festival celebrates the human need to sing, drawing 30,000 attendees annually.

Enjoy star-studded performances by Grammy-winner Macy Gray on July 3 and Eurovision entrant Montaigne on July 6 at Hobart’s Odeon Theatre. Engage in workshops led by industry leaders like Dr. Elizabeth Scott and Jen Lush, offering insights into conducting, songwriting, and more.

Family-friendly options include Jen Lush’s Songwriting for Kids workshop and Allison Farrow’s Nursery Rhyme Favourites. Adults can enjoy Sing N’ Sip sessions, Song Trivia Nights, and Massaoke Oz events with hits from the 80s and 90s.

Don’t miss The Big Sing, the festival’s heart, where attendees gather around a campfire to sing together in a unique community experience.

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

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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 is kicking back in 2024, but fear not – there are still a few festival favourites on the menu for this year.

The Winter Feast, a popular culinary event featuring long table dinners and unique foodie experiences, will take place from June 13-23. The Nude Solstice Swim ritual returns on June 21, offering a refreshing start to the summer solstice, and the Mona Gala, will be held at the Museum of Old and New Art (Mona) on June 14.

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.

Southern Lights

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Beaker Street Festival

Tasmania’s coolest science party, Beaker Street Festival, lands August 6th-13th. Dive into Hobartica with polar plunges and toasty saunas. Hobart’s culinary lords have got your food sorted with future feasts, and if you are keen for a little R&R,  science-backed wellness workshops will get you back on track.

Stargazing dinners and astronomy talks via Dark Sky Dinner at Frogmore Creek winery will have you seeing stars (literally!). Curious minds can explore on field trips, and mingle with real scientists.  Refuel your brainpower (and maybe grab a drink) at the legendary Roving Scientist Bar.

You can even track down the elusive platypuses with the Platypus Guardian, get lost in a slime mold wonderland, or explore towering giants of the forest. Get to know the best of the off season with gourmet eats, scientist talks, and epic stargazing under the guidance of local experts.

BEAKER STREET FESTIVAL

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Willie Smith’s Cider and Mid Winter Festival

There is a lot to love about this crew, especially their cider, which is ACE warmed up with the addition of a few spices (recipe on their website), but also because they have been a Tassie mainstay with their Mid Winter Festival. If you are keen to experience first hand the spirit of Tassie, head down for their eleventh and final festival taking place 12 – 13th of July, before they kick start something new for next year.

Willie Smith’s signature cider, is made from organic Huon Valley apples, and perfect for sharing. Crafted from a blend of everyday organic apples, it’s refreshing with a touch of sweetness. Made on their farm, it’s the essence of Tasmanian cider.

WILLIE SMITH’S CIDER

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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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