TASMANIA’S WILDEST WINTER ADVENTURES REVEALED

Tasmania is encouraging Australians to stop hibernating this winter and embrace the cold, unveiling 20 of the island’s wildest  Off Season adventures across the state.

The experiences range from kayaking across Dove Lake beneath the snow-covered peaks of Cradle Mountain and cruising through ancient rainforest waterways on the Gordon River to glow-worm cave encounters, alpine scenic flights, and floating sauna cruises.

Here are some of the standout experiences luring travellers south this winter:

• Cradle Mountain Canyons is offering adventurous travellers the rare opportunity to kayak across Dove Lake beneath the snow-covered peaks of Cradle Mountain.

The three-hour guided experience, limited to just eight people at a time, uses handcrafted King Billy pine kayaks and includes hot drinks and snacks on a secluded shoreline surrounded by misty alpine wilderness.

Tours only operate when winter weather conditions allow, adding to the unpredictability and atmosphere of the experience.

• Kuuma Nature Sauna, Australia’s first floating sauna boat, has launched a series of winter sauna cruises on the icy waters south of Hobart.

Guests alternate between the crackling warmth of a wood-fired sauna and freezing ocean plunges while drifting through the still waters of North West Bay. One experience runs entirely after dark beneath the stars, while another combines sunrise cruises with cold-water dips in secluded coastal bays.

• Mole Creek Caves is inviting travellers underground for an immersive glow worm encounter deep beneath Tasmania’s limestone landscapes.

Limited to just eight guests per tour, the after-dark experience allows visitors to help scientists count glow worms as part of a citizen science initiative before lying beneath thousands of shimmering blue bioluminescent lights inside the cave system.

• World Heritage Cruises has unveiled a range of dramatic winter Gordon River experiences designed to embrace Tasmania’s famously moody weather.

One cruise offers a “Rain Guarantee”, allowing guests to return for free if rain falls continuously throughout the journey, while another includes upgraded upper-deck seating overlooking mist-covered waterways and rainforest-lined riverbanks. Families can also take part in a themed “Tiger Hunt” cruise inspired by the Tasmanian tiger.

• King Island Walks is leaning into the island’s rugged winter conditions with multi-day expeditions tracing the coastline walked by survivors of the Netherby shipwreck in 1866.

Guests trek through remote beaches, dunes and weather-battered headlands before retreating to warm accommodation each evening. Another winter experience sees visitors wrapped in puffer jackets, sipping Tasmanian pinot noir as they watch little penguins emerge from the surf at dusk.

• Par Avion is offering travellers access to some of Tasmania’s most isolated wilderness through two-day journeys into Bathurst Harbour and Port Davey.

Reached only by light aircraft, the experience combines scenic flights, guided boat tours and remote eco-cabin accommodation in the heart of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, far removed from roads, mobile reception and modern distractions.

• Ben Lomond Alpine Resort is embracing the alpine atmosphere with fireside mulled wine, skiing and snowboarding experiences, plus a Christmas in July celebration held high above Tasmania’s north-east plateau.

Following recent snowmaking upgrades, the resort says it now offers Tasmania’s most reliable snow season, with visitors able to drive directly into the ski village throughout winter.

Tourism Tasmania said the Off Season campaign was designed to encourage travellers to embrace the colder months rather than avoid them.

More than 500 bookable winter offers and events are running across the state as part of the initiative, spanning wilderness adventures, whisky tastings, dark-sky cruises, wellness escapes, long-table feasts and snow holidays.

The Off Season runs across Tasmania until August 31.