Outside, winter is felt before it is seen. The air sharp, the light low, the land­scape more defined. Be drawn out this winter, into forests, rivers, snow and sky. Rug up and be a part of the elements – there’s so much waiting for you.

First up meet Poppy Seed, the naughtiest goat on Little Things Farm (ltss.com.au), if you can find her that is. She’s on the loose, snatching feed buckets, slip­ping through fences and leaving cheeky clues everywhere she goes. Your mission? Follow her trail across paddocks, barns and hidden corners of the farm using the help of her farmyard friends. Kids will solve puzzles, crack codes and outwit a very mischievous goat. Tours are 1.5-2 hours and run from 3pm on Thursdays, Fridays and Sunday afternoons during the Off Season.

Step into an unfolding adventure with World Heritage Cruises (worldheritagecruises.com.au) where the cruise doubles as a tiger hunt. Children receive a fun tiger hunt activity pack during the Off Season, turning observation into discovery. Between clues there is space to enjoy the glassy waters of the Gordon River from the comfortable boat and watch the world go by. At the end, a hot chocolate is part of the reward! Use promo code TIGERHUNT when booking main deck centre seating – for each adult fare, two children travel free.

More of a two wheeled traveller? Blue Derby Pods Ride‘s (bluederbypodsride.com.au/winter-experience) mountain bike trails are calling your name for this three-day winter experience. As dusk descends, park your bike trailside and relax by the campfire beneath a carpet of bright winter stars above Lake Derby while you enjoy canapés. Between rides, warm up in your forest pod accommodation among the trails and trees, stocked with Tasmanian food and wine. Winter means quieter trails, crisper air and the reward of camp­fire warmth after days pedalling through the lush forests of Derby.

Gather under the stars with Starlit Tasmania (starlittasmania.com.au) near Sorell to take in some of the clearest winter skies in the country. Watch the Milky Way take centre stage, rising bright above the landscape. In these small-group guided sessions, expect telescope viewing of planets, star clusters and nebulae, con­stellation storytelling and complimentary hot drinks. A photograph of the night sky is included for each booking, so you won’t forget the sights seen.

Sit back and hold on tight! Sled Dog Adventures Tasmania (sleddogadventurestasmania.com.au) provides an adrenaline-filled ride as a team of 10 high-energy Siberian Huskies pull you and the kids at speed through narrow forest trails in the Huon Valley. The wheeled sled skims over the ground while the dogs do what they’re bred for – run fast. You’ll hear them howl, feel the power of the team working together, and understand why cooler Off Season weather is when these dogs are at their happiest and most energetic.

Every Off Season to-do list needs a snow trip to make the most of Tasmania’s mountain slopes. Head to Ben Lomond Alpine Resort (benlomondalpineresort.com.au) to collect your snow gear and toboggans at Ben Lomond Base, then ascend the mountain to arrive at the winter activities playground – tobogganing, snowball fights and snowman building await. When you’re tuckered out, return to the base to defrost with fireside hot chocolate, mulled wine and melty s’mores.