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Embrace the Cold at These Tassie Winter Events
by Stephanie Williams
This month, with Dark Mofo on and interstate visitors wandering the streets, it might not seem so quiet, but now is the time to mark some events and weekends in your calendar to keep you going through the rest of the ‘off season’.
In years past, winter was the time I’d pack my little family up and jump on the ferry in search of the sun. And while this year isn’t as dire as last in a travel sense, there is still uncertainty in the air. A backyard holiday is still where we’re at. And we’re just lucky we have an awesome backyard.
And before you say you’ve seen it all, sometimes all it takes is an event to see a destination in a new light. Most of us have been to the Huon Valley before, but have you been when the Huon Valley Mid-Winter Festival is on in July? I haven’t. Get out your face paint, don some leaves in your hair and get ready to shoot the breeze around the bonfire.
On our doorstep in Hobart the Festival of Voices kicks off at the end of this month (more bonfire action!) and Tasmanian Whisky Week from 9 – 15 August, featuring distilleries from across the island. The Tasmanian Wine Festival, Winter Edition is being held this year over the weekend of the 7 – 8 August in Hobart’s Goods Shed celebrating the beautiful reds Tasmanian vineyards have to offer. Love science? The Beaker Street Festival returns from 6 – 8 August. There’s the Festival Hub at the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery featuring fascinating talks by world-leading scientists, live music in the underground Speakeasy bar, a Sci Art Crawl around Hobart, scientist-led tours and small-group talks and dinners with scientists.
Feel like a road trip further afield? Book your accommodation now for the Junction Arts Festival in Launceston from 1 – 5 August or the Great Eastern Wine Week from 3 – 13 September when vineyards, wine producers and makers, experiences, restaurants and cafes come together to showcase the beautiful coastal wine. If you’re more into food, the Tassie Scallop Fiesta is back this year on 1 August in Bridport. And if music is your thing, venues large and small across Devonport are transformed into performance spaces for the Devonport Jazz Festival from 22 – 25 July.
This year set aside some time to celebrate winter and embrace it. Rug up in your finest puffer and head out to one or many of these events and fill up that cup…or wine glass.
