13 Ways to Get Your Summer Thrills in Tasmania
Make the most of the longer days this summer with adrenaline-fueled adventures and nature-rich experiences, right on your doorstep.
What’s On In Hobart – August 2026
by Stephanie Williams
August
10 Geelong’s AFL legend Tom Hawkins is on the road, coming to Hobart for a live show telling his story plus a Q&A, silent auction, photo ops and more. 7pm-10pm, RACV Hotel.
11 Check out the talented Australian landscape artists on show in this year’s Hadley’s Art Prize. Free, and open daily til 23rd, Hadley’s Orient Hotel.
12 Contemporary Art Tasmania presents Edges of Existence where artists use textiles to reimagine everyday materials, curated by Amber Koroluk-Stephenson and Sharifah Emalia Al-Gadrie. Until 12 September.
13 Take a guided tour of the Mt Pleasant Radio Observatory and visit the Grote Reber Museum for the Beaker Street Festival. The Big Bike Film Night, 7pm, Stanley Burbury Lecture Theatre, UTAS Sandy Bay.
14 She may sound like a cute kid’s book character, but Thelma Plum is a singer/ songwriter and she’s coming our way. Theatre Royal.
15 Things will whiz, bang, fly, crawl, and maybe even explode when the Festival of Bright Ideas returns, from 9am-5pm at PW1. The hands-on science festival is a day of interactive discovery.
16 Dr Karl shares some of his wackiest adventures, Hobart City Hall. At 2pm, classical pianist Luke Frost presents works by Beethoven, Brahms and Chopin at St Mary’s Cathedral. Adults $25
17 Learn more about how to support your lymphatic system with Lisa O’Neil from Embody Movement at Kingborough Community Hub, $5. Book via kingborough.tas.gov.au
19 The Maritime Museum has a temporary exhibition by wilderness photographer David Neilson called Antarctica is Melting. Neilson has done six journeys to Antarctica since 1990.
20 The Australian Antarctic Festival celebrates Hobart as one of the world’s gateways to the Antarctic. Based at Mawson’s Hut til Sunday.
21 Last Days for Faces From Our Town, an exhibition celebrating difference through portraits and stories produced by Paul County in collaboration with local students.
22 See beloved Playschool alumni (ok, she’s done other things too) Noni Hazelhurst in The Lark by Daniel Keene. Last show of the run, Theatre Royal.
23 The Hobart Twilight Market ‘Sunday Pop Up Series’ brings the market to Long Beach Sandy Bay today from 11am-3pm.
25 How does Pottery Painting + Cocktails + Fried Chicken + Nibbles sound? Find out at Stonedust Pottery’s mini pottery painting sesh at Rude Boy, 5:30pm-7:30pm.
26 Spend two hours at Margate Hall for Beach Finds, a painting workshop where you’ll create artwork inspired by shells, seaweed, driftwood etc. Run by Averill Lawler. 10am-12pm.
27 Bestselling author Liane Moriarty is in conversation with Danielle Wood at Hobart Town Hall care of Fullers. 5:30pm.
28 Boy & Bear are on a regional tour and Hobart classifies! 7:30pm, The Odeon. Alceme Hobart hosts a cool full moon eclipse sound meditation, 6:30pm-8pm.
29 Check out three concurrent exhibitions at Rosny Barn: Yvette Watt’s Well this is awkward…, An Eggibition: Life on ‘Little Big Farm’ by Rosie Treasure, and Iris Blazely’s From the branches & between the reeds.
30 Dave McNamara joins Django’s Tiger on accordion, piano, trumpet & more for vintage favourites reimagined, at SOHO Arts in Weld St, 2pm. Just up the road it’s Sunday Winter Jazz at the Cascade Brewery Bar, 2pm.
31 In Islander, a young resident on a remote Scottish island feels torn between two worlds. Based on the book by Stewart Melton. Studio Theatre at Theatre Royal, various shows til the 5th. Plus tonight, the Longley Hotel hosts their quiz night.
September
1 See the man dubbed “the Eric Clapton of the lute”: dynamic young French virtuoso Thomas Dunford, at the latest Van Diemen’s Band lunchbox concert, Hobart Town Hall, 1:05pm.
2 This one’s for the 80s lovers: British supergroup Go West are celebrating their 40 year anniversary by touring with Debbie Gibson. Doors open 7pm, The Odeon.
3 Artist Mel Aliendi’s gorgeous bright botanicals are on display at Handmark Gallery til the 14th. Open every day.
4 It’s opening night of the Rotary Club of Hobart Art Show. 6pm, Wellington Room, Wrest Point Hotel Casino, $60 (canapés + drinks).
5 Get your glow sticks ready, the Hobart Light Night Glow Run & Walk is here with 8km, 4km and 2km options plus a Kids’ 600m (for ages 9 years and under
6 Happy Fathers Day to all the Dads and Dad-like figures in our lives! Maybe you’ll spend it at the Bream Creek Farmers Market or seeing Dear Sunday play at Altar Bar.
Spotlight on…
1-9 August
There are a bunch of different events at various venues across the state for Tasmanian Whisky Week. From Oatlands to Port Arthur, Bothwell to Launceston, check www.taswhiskyweek.com/program/ for the full program.
August, various dates
For Family History Month, various local libraries are offering free one-to-one help to learn more about your family history and build your family tree. Check your local library for dates and times.
12 August
Are you an Arnott’s baby? Historian Greg Cooke shares his research into the images of thousands of Australian babies used to advertise Arnott’s Milk Arrowroot biscuit. 1-2pm, State Library and Archives of Tasmania.
Til 15 August
A special exhibition at Bett Gallery marks the 80th birthday of the highly respected Elder, artist and cultural custodian, Aunty Lola Greeno. The show honours her extraordinary contribution to Tasmanian Aboriginal art and culture and celebrates a lifetime of creativity, cultural knowledge and leadership. Aunty Lola is a senior shell necklace stringer and the first Indigenous artist to receive the National Living Treasure Award. www.bettgallery.com.au
5-6 September
The Claremont Daffodil & Camellia Spring Flower Show is on this weekend at Claremont Memorial Hall. The show (and its popular plant stall) has been running for over 40 years! This year they have a socal international judge coming all the way from the Royal Horticultural Society UK. Opens Saturday midday, Sunday 10am.
Around The Island
August
11 Join in at Be-Ras Creatives Art Cafe for a unique workshop in Devonport where you will discover the art of Yobitsugi – a distinctive approach to Kintsugi.
12 Van Diemen’s Band presents Claire Edwardes as part of the Lunchbox Concerts, bite-sized shows for the price of a sandwich. Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Launceston, $15, 1:05pm.
13 Dill Pickle Club hosts The Hannibal Lectures at 7.30pm for the Unwind winter wellness festival. Dr Daryl Peebles explains how humour helps your health and vitality. $10 via Humanitix.
14 It’s the Big Bike Film Night, bringing the best cycling short films from around the world together for you. 7pm, Star Theatre, tickets via Trybooking. Tomorrow night in St Helens too.
15 Every Saturday from 8.30 am, Launceston’s Harvest Market showcases Tasmania’s finest produce. Or down south the Willie Smith’s Artisan Market kicks off at 10am each week.
16 A Tasmanian Roadtrip, an exhibition by Annette Fuller, is a love letter to Tasmania’s wild places, quiet moments and untamed landscapes. Harmony on High Street, Campbell Town, daily until 26 August.
17 Head to Wynyard Library today for Rock and Rhyme, a free weekly session for pre-schoolers aged 0-3. 10:30am
18 Join Nicole from VIVID Beauty Co for a soundbath in The Albert Hall, Launceston, for the Unwind festival, 5pm-6pm, $20.
19 Get a free total body workout as part of Launceston’s Unwind festival. Take a break to workout your whole body in this all-levels, women-only class. 12pm-12:45pm, Curves Launceston.
20 Head to UTAS Community Garden, Australia’s largest open community garden at Inveresk for a morning of propagating, planting, harvesting, and community. 10am-12pm.
21 Join Sorell on Stage for an evening of music and family intrigue for Just Deserts, John Hargreaves’ incisive comedy. Sorell Memorial Hall, 14-22 August, various times.
22 Enjoy Pints after Pilates as Bloom Studio takes over Boag’s Brewhouse for a 50-minute Pilates session. Includes an all levels class, your first drink and grazing platters, 1pm-2pm, $55.
24 It’s national Children’s Book Week from today until Friday 28th, with the theme being Symphony of Stories! Get your book characters and your glue guns ready.
25 The Women’s Health Brunch supports Clifford Craig Health Foundation’s gynaecological cancer programs with speakers Alex Neville and Scott Harris. 9am, Country Club Tasmania, $70.
26 Opera Australia’s National Tour returns to Burnie with a fabulous, 1950s-inspired staging of Mozart’s dark comedic masterpiece, Don Giovanni. Tickets from $40.
27 Head to the Devonport Library for an evening with Tasmanian author Adam Ouston as he discusses his new novel Mine. 5:45pm-7pm.
28 MND North West Support Group, facilitated by Emma Forsyth, welcomes anyone with MND and their loved ones. Ulverstone Returned Servicemen’s Club, 11am, last Friday of the month.
29 Bytewise is Questacon’s interactive travelling exhibition exploring mathematics and computer science through hands-on challenges. Today it’s at the Smithton Library from 9:30am-12:30pm.
30 FEATHERS, FUR & FLORA, an exhibition of works by Ryan Rivers, Sandra Henderson, Susie Shaw, Mary Stary opens today at 2pm at Harmony on High Street, Campbell Town. Until 23 Sep.
September
1 Do you want to improve your English? Join the Tuesday English Conversation Group at Devonport Library today at 10am-12pm.
2 Launceston Church Grammar School presents Footloose the Musical. Cut loose, kick off your Sunday shoes, and dance! At the Albert Hall, various times until Saturday.
3 Launceston Youth Theatre Ensemble presents Robin Hood: Marian and The Merry Men, featuring actors age 13+, Albert Hall, various times until Saturday.
4 The Flinders Island Running Festival starts tonight with the family friendly Glow Run, a 3km course starting and finishing up at the Flinders Island Golf Club, Whitemark. 6:15pm.
5 Still on the Flinders Island Running Festival, today sees the 42km marathon, 25km trail run/walk and 11km run. More detail at flindersisland.run.
More Around The Island
13-23 August
Looking for a mid-winter reset? Unwind, Launceston’s debut wellness festival has got you. Over ten days, the city known for world-class cuisine and wine reveals a more serene side, with a program of saunas, Pilates, meditation, nourishing food and nature-based experiences. From candlelit yoga and ice baths to sunset cruises and creative classes – Unwind delivers movement, connection and a healthy dose of Tasmania’s winter rituals to help you reset during the darker months. Hosted by Launceston Central, Unwind is a celebration of Launceston’s wellness sector featuring 40+ events to choose from. Unwind is your excuse to step away from the rush, breathe deeply and embrace Launceston’s cool-season magic.
16 August
The Winter Challenge Tasmania is a community-focused multisport event held on Tassie’s east coast at Orford. Competitors will complete a 10km kayak, 27km road cycle, 15km mountain bike and 10km trail run. It’s one intentionally challenging, intentionally achievable event, hosted on the day by Mike Tomalaris (of SBS fame) and Molly Gardner.
22 August
The Top Dog Film Festival 2026 returns with an electrifying collection of films that prove dogs aren’t just pets – they’re heroes, healers, and the best friends we never knew we needed. Witness jaw-dropping adventures, heart-melting rescues, and brilliant canines whose intelligence will leave you speechless. This 2+ hour cinematic experience brings you the finest short films from visionary independent filmmakers across the world. From laugh-out-loud moments to tears of pure joy, these carefully selected stories will remind you why dogs hold such a sacred place in our hearts. 2pm, The Tramsheds, tix via Humanitix.
4-6 September
Enjoy a whole weekend of live music for West Coast Live this weekend from Friday to Sunday. The organisers are encouraging you to shake off winter and welcome the tourist Season! With artists such as Alex Lloyd, Kingswood, Ben Salter and Jed Appleton hitting the stage, there are 7 Performances across two nights, bringing something for everyone. All held at the Paragon Theatre. Tickets $41 per night or $62 for both nights online, or $45 at the door. This is an all ages event, however under 18s must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Friday and Saturday night-doors open 6.30pm, with music from 7.00pm. Plus there’s a free open mic performance on Sunday from 1pm.
