7 ways to beat the winter blues

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Don’t sit at home pining for brighter days. This winter, embrace these cold-weather delights, writes Andrew Bain.

Not so many years ago, Tasmania all but hibernated through winter. Darkness set in, the blinds came down, and everybody yearned for summer. Today, the ways to embrace the Tasmanian winter are myriad.

Dig for truffle treasure

In winter, the truffle dogs are on the scent, and the truffles are ready to be dug at Australia’s first truffle farm. Guided by the dogs, you kneel and begin to pull at the soil, digging for rare black truffles. A Winter Warmer tour at The Truffle Farm, near Deloraine, takes you on a 90-minute hunt, unearthing these treasures of the earth with your own hands. Warm up after the hunt with a truffle tasting, a baked truffle brie and some red wine around the farm’s fire pit.

Light up dark history

In winter, darkness falls quickly over the ghosts of Sarah Island, and that’s when the tales of torment begin. This season, World Heritage Cruises is running evening sailings across Macquarie Harbour to the tiny island, where you step ashore with lanterns and into tales as dark as the night sky. The winter-only trip is guided by actors from Strahan’s longrunning play The Ship That Never Was, bringing to life (or death) the stories of one of Australia’s most notorious convict settlements. The local whisky, gin and beer back aboard the boat will help chase away the chill.

Not so many years ago, Tasmania hibernated through winter ... today, the ways to embrace the winter are myriad

Candles & cider

Discover the dark side of cider, with a uniquely winter visit to Brady’s Lookout Cider. Set on a Rosevears farm growing more than 85 rare apple varieties, the cidery cellar door is situated inside a mill built into the slopes of a hill. An Embrace the Dark winter tour begins in faint candlelight, but all light is extinguished when you’re blindfolded for a tasting of aged ciders matched with Tasmanian chocolates – one sense shut off to heighten the sensitivity of another. The visit concludes with a tour of the cider mill.

Winter on wukalina

Wukalina Walk’s winter walk brings together much of the best of its longer summer trips. Spend time on Country with palawa guides and Elders on the twonight, three-day trip along the larapuna/Bay of Fires coastline. Staying in the lighthouse keeper’s cottage at Eddystone Point, the walk includes a climb of wukalina/ Mt William, and exploration of the important cultural sites and middens around Eddystone Point. There’s also a visit to the architect-designed krakani lumi camp for cultural activities such as shell stringing and kelp basket-making, with traditional foods such as muttonbird on the dinner menu.

While Tasmania might not have the deep snow of the northern hemisphere, it does have sled dogs

It’s a dogs life

Few activities evoke winter quite like dog sledding, and while Tasmania might not have the deep snow of the northern hemisphere, it does have the sled dogs. Dryland dogsledding with Huon Valley-based Sled Dog Adventures will put you on wheels behind a team of eight to 10 enthusiastic huskies for a spin around the River’s Edge Wilderness Campground. The longer Forest Adventure heads into the tall bush, following trails for an hour behind the dogs. The trips end around a campfire, in the company of your dogs.

What lurks beneath

Mole Creek Karst National Park is punctured with an array of caves that are fascinating in any season, but add a splash of water and they become wonderlands. Winter spelunking trips with Wild Caves Tours delve underground into two of Mole Creek’s caves that are undeveloped for tourism – wild chambers that burst into life after winter rains when waterfalls seep into the caves, pools reflect the cave magnificence around them, and fern gardens and moss are reinvigorated.

Cook up a feast

Warm up from the inside out with a winter warmer masterclass at the Farmhouse Kitchen. With her Puglian background, cook Guiliana White leads her Huon Valley cooking school with the traditions of southern Italian cooking combined with fresh-fromthe-ground Tasmanian produce. The masterclass brings together garden goodness to create an authentic minestrone, followed by a simple and delicious risotto and a couple of surprise Italian dishes. Delizioso.

Want more? Turn the page to find what Tourism Tasmania has planned for the thrilling Off Season.

OFF THE BEATEN PATH

Slow down and chill out with Tasmania’s lesser-known winter wonders.

Winter is here. And in Tasmania, things start ramping up. We locals don’t shy away when the days get a little darker and colder. In fact, we embrace it. It’s our Off Season. It’s when our festive spirit comes alive, we revel in cool-climate delicacies (like delicious slow roasts, scallops and oysters – all at their best in winter) and take the time to connect with nature and ourselves. Whether you’re looking to revel in the wilderness, ignite your tastebuds or simply embrace stillness in luxurious accommodation, we’ve got something for you this Off Season.

If you’re after a stiff drink…

The coolest place to chill this Off Season is Launceston’s best-kept secret: Stelo at Pierre’s pop-up speakeasy, Obscura. Only open on Fridays, you’ll find Obscura’s dimly lit doorway in a deserted car park, which leads you inside. Your $18 entry fee buys you a cocktail and the secret password to the ‘Off-List’, an exclusive cocktail menu. Pick your poison – perhaps a Bobby Burns, mixed with rare Tasmanian single malt whisky.

If you need to unwind…

Feeling stressed? Fun fact: interacting with animals has proven to decrease levels of cortisol and lower blood pressure. Which is why, this Off Season, starting your morning with a brisk stroll alongside Paradise Road Farm’s goat family is a sure-fire way to relieve stress. Pick your pace: release your inner child and race a goat downhill in the ‘off leash’ paddock; or opt for a leisurely stroll and spot the farm’s herd of Angus cattle along the way.

Photos: Matthew Donovan; Tesse Hunniford; Jodie McQueen; Open2View; Tim Whybrow; RACT Destinations

If you like the snow…

If you’re feeling romantic…

Treat your significant other to a luxe stay at Freycinet Lodge this Off Season. Sheltered within beautiful Freycinet National Park, it’s a chance to reconnect with your loved one, and with nature. For two nights you’ll stay in the elegant Coastal Pavilion, where you can soak under the night sky in an outdoor hot tub. This exclusive winter package also includes a daily continental breakfast hamper, turn-down service, an intimate four-course dinner by candlelight, a Tasmanian cheese platter, a bottle of local sparkling wine and handmade chocolates.

If you want to switch off…

Love the snow, but hate driving in it? The team at Ben Lomond Snow Sports can help. Their Ben Lomond Winter Wonderland Explorer package includes the drive up Jacob’s Ladder, one of Australia’s most iconic stretches of road, to the snowy alpine plateau of Ben Lomond itself. It’s an unforgettable journey, with six hairpin bends backed by dramatic dolerite cliffs, and a show-stopping view from the top. Jackets, pants, and boots are provided to ensure you stay warm while exploring the historic alpine village. Spend the day walking the trails, building a snowman, or shooting down the slopes in a toboggan. It’s great family fun. Head to Hundred Acre Hideaway on Bruny Island for an ‘off the grid’ stay this winter. There’s limited reception and the retreat is powered by solar, wind and gas. Beat the winter chill with a soak in an outdoor wood-fired hot tub on the deck, overlooking Cloudy Bay and the Southern Ocean. Take in the southern air on one of five picturesque walks surrounding the property.

To plan your Off Season, visit

off-season.discovertasmania.com.au