The Off Season: West And North West

by Stephanie Williams

Tasmania’s west and north west are raw, untamed and dramatic. Perhaps that’s why people who build a life in this part of the world are resilient – they forge connections with each other and the elements. To visit during the Off Season is to celebrate that spirit in all its glory. The west coast quite literally glows during Light Up the West (westcoasttas.com.au/lightupthewest), held 19-28 June. This festival marks the winter solstice with workshops, markets, light shows and community gatherings to brighten the longest nights. Not long after, the north west gives Permission to Trespass (northwesttasmania.com.au/permissiontotrespass), held 3-12 July, granting rare access to private properties around Wynyard and the dramatic Table Cape. It’s an invitation to see the true character of the north west, behind closed gates.

Fill Your Winter Days

The Off Season is an invitation to slow down and linger a little longer throughout the still winter days. In Ulverstone, Leven River Cruises (levenrivercruises.com.au) glide along calm waters framed by forested banks for a cosy winter journey. Rug up with tea, coffee or hot chocolate in hand, and enjoy local cheese, seasonal fruit and fresh muffins as the landscape drifts by. Nearby, Leven Valley Vineyard (levenvalleyvineyard.com.au) pairs cool-climate chardonnay and pinot noir with sweeping views over the Leven River and Gunns Plains. In the Off Season, guests can bring their own barbecue supplies and cook up a winter feast to pair with the wine. For something hands-on, Creative Paper Tasmania (creativepaper.com.au) in Wynyard runs winter workshops where you’ll handmake paper from scratch. It’s crafty fun for all ages. Tasmania is known for its high-quality black truffles, and The Truffledore (truffledore.com.au) lets you live a day in the life of a truffle hunter during peak winter harvest season. Tour the farm, meet the hounds, join a real truffle hunt, then cook up a dinner feast. The experience includes a two-night cottage stay. That’s a weekend sorted right there.

Your Base Camp

Overnight stays on Tasmania’s west and north west are all about immersion. That rings true for Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge (cradlemountainlodge.com.au), where mist lingers over ancient forests and native wildlife roams freely (outside, of course). Inside, it’s warmth and indulgence. Enjoy daily breakfast, a welcome drink and spa time this Off Season. At the foothills of Mt Roland in the north west is the unique Wilder Tasmania (wildertasmania.com). Cosy up in a geodesic dome and, during the Off Season, join an atmospheric winter walk through a once-thriving Hydro town reclaimed by nature. The experience ends with a gourmet hamper, enjoyed back in your dome or beside a roaring fire. History and romance intertwine at The Post Office (discovertasmania.com.au/accommodation/the-post-office) in Waratah, a 1913 post office lovingly restored into a luxury escape. Live your best slow winter romance with a candlelit bath infused with Tasmanian salts, before throwing on plush robes and indulging in local chocolate and port wine. Devonport is an ideal base for exploring the north west, and The Cove (thecovetasmania.com) is an award-winning adults-only retreat just minutes from the city centre. After a day of adventuring, dine on local produce at Basalt Restaurant, then wind down with mulled wine, stargazing and little penguin encounters beneath dark winter skies.

Winter Events Too Good to Miss

There’s no shortage of opportunities to immerse yourself in the region’s wintry wilderness. The Off Season is filled with events with an air of adventure, such as the Stanley and Tarkine Forage Festival (foragefestival.com.au), celebrating the north west’s exceptional produce. Held around Stanley from the 13- 17 May, meet growers, taste local specialities and savour the abundance of this fertile foodie region. If you’re ready to step outside your comfort zone, the brand new DIVERGE Skyruns (diverge-skyruns.au) in Queenstown delivers sky high exhilaration between 1-3 May. It’s a ‘skyrunning’ festival, which is the word for high-altitude mountain running. From jaw-dropping alpine ridgelines to rainforest trails, the event showcases the rugged terrain of this part of the island. There’s a truth to the term ‘the wild west’ here in Tasmania, and if your idea of wild is letting your hair down and hitting the dancefloor, then the Solstice Cruise (worldheritagecruises.com.au) on 19 June is for you. As the shortest day of the year approaches in Strahan, take to the water to celebrate with World Heritage Cruises aboard Harbour Master II for an evening of food, drink and entertainment. Dance into the longer days the winter solstice brings.

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Hobart Happenings

by Steph Williams

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Hobart Happenings

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