The Off Season: North

by Stephanie Williams

A trip to northern Tasmania comes with a disclaimer: you’ll need to loosen your belt. It’s little wonder, with a UNESCO City of Gastronomy at its heart, fringed by the Tamar Valley and Piper’s Brook vineyards – a mecca for Tasmania’s sparkling wine industry. But alongside the cellar doors and long-table lunches, there lies a thriving arts scene that comes alive during the Off Season. From 29-30 May, Launceston hosts the Tamar Valley Film Festival (tvff.com.au), a celebration of Tasmanian storytelling and screen culture. Across two evenings, a curated program of short films by emerging and established local filmmakers gives audiences the pleasure of experiencing homegrown cinema talent on the big screen.

Fill Your Winter Days

If your idea of cold weather bliss is staying tucked up warm, step inside Waverley Mills (waverleymills.com) for an Off Season tour and watch heritage looms weave blankets, throws, wraps and scarves at Australia’s last working vertical woolen weaving mill. Now you’ve rugged up, head to the Tamar Valley to experience the ultimate culinary luxury at Pirie (pirietasmania.com.au), where elegant sparkling wines are matched with premium Sturgeon caviar. There’s nothing more appropriate for a nippy day than a nip of whisky. Take a behind-the-scenes distillery tour and a taste of three spirits at Western Tiers Distillery (westerntiersdistillery.com.au). Each is paired with award-winning Ashgrove cheeses and handcrafted Anvers chocolates. The cold, dark and wet weather can drive us into hibernation, so what better time to unleash your creativity? This Off Season take a visit to the Tasmanian Sculpture School (tasmaniansculptureschool.com.au) and connect with fellow mud-lovers in their studio overlooking Kanamaluka / River Tamar. Learn the art of bronze sculpting by shaping modelling clay over an aluminium armature and share artistic endeavours over a hot drink by the crackling fire. Then, head beneath the surface at Mole Creek Caves (parks.tas.gov.au/explore-our-parks/mole-creek-karst-national-park). On a guided glow worm tour become a citizen scientist for the day. Count glow worms, collect valuable data and examine larvae up close in their silk nests. After all that work, stretch out under a blanket for some glow worm gazing as the cave ceiling illuminates.

Your Base Camp

Off Season overnight stays across Tasmania’s north are about embracing and leaning into the stillness of the season. The organic curves of the repurposed silos at Peppers Silo Hotel (peppers.com.au/silo) offer a meditative moment. Dine at the Grain of the Silos, where produce is king, and gaze over the glistening waters of Kanamaluka / River Tamar. For a heritage stay, head to the Great Western Tiers and step back in time at one of Deloraine’s oldest properties, Blakes Manor (blakesmanor.com.au). Then spend your days discovering Deloraine’s art and craft trails, heritage streets, winter foraging experiences and scenic drives through rolling countryside. For those drawn further into the wild, retreat to Craggy Peaks Wilderness Cabins (craggypeaks.com.au). Days are for hiking trails around the Fingal Valley, while nights usher in firepit gatherings, story swapping, quoll spotting and, if conditions are right, maybe even aurora chasing. Finally, a stay at Dorset Hotel (dorsethotel.com.au) sets you minutes from Derby’s mountain bike trails. Winter’s cooler temperatures and quieter tracks produce exhilarating rides and make returning to your hotel for tasty pub grub all the more rewarding.

Winter Events Too Good to Miss

From screen to stage, the Australian Musical Theatre Festival (amtf.org.au) transforms the city into a flurry of song, dance, theatre and cabaret from 20-24 May. Expect an exciting mix of emerging and established performers from across Australia. Swap the stage for the sidelines on 21 May at UTAS Stadium. AFL fans can catch Hawthorn (hawthornfc.com.au) taking on the Adelaide Crows under Thursday night lights. With their last three UTAS Stadium matches decided by three points, this is sure to be an absolute thriller! If you prefer to beat the chill by working up a sweat, the McGrath Launceston Running Festival (launcestonrunningfestival.com.au) on 31 May is a local staple. It’s Launnie’s biggest fun run and walk event, and everyone is invited to join in, with distances from one mile to a half marathon. A great way to get your blood pumping this Off Season.

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Hobart Happenings

by Steph Williams

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Hobart Happenings

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