Things to do in Winter south from Hobart, Tasmania

Embrace the winter in southern Tasmania. DarkMoFo and Huon Valley Winter Festival are events celebrating the winter solstice by installing light based artworks, bonfires and performances.  There are plenty of good deals on accommodation, especially for longer stays. It is also the time of years with the best opportunity to see the Southern Lights Aurora.

Tasmanian Weather Patterns in Winter

The mix of short days and long nights is a great opportunity to enjoy a few hours in the snow followed by an evening cuddle in front of a cozy fire. A typical 6 day Tasmanian Winterweather cycle goes something like this:
  • Partly cloudy sky, gentle breeze, 9 - 15 degrees max. Cold clear night with spectacular stars.
  • Mostly blue sky, calm breeze, 11 - 17 degrees max. Very cold nights around 2 - 5 degrees.
  • Windy change to southerly winds, 7 - 9 degrees max. A few few hours of rain or maybe snow.
  • Mostly cloudy sky, gentle breeze, 9 - 11 degrees max. A few rain or snow showers. At night, the clouds act as a blanket, stopping it getting too cold, maybe 5 - 7 degrees.
  • Generally repeats on a cycle of 5 to 7 days.

Things to do in Tasmanian during Winter

Hartz Mountains Winter Wonderland

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5 minutes to 5 hours
This is Fungi season. Enjoy the spectacular miniature displays on several walks that visit wet forests:
  • Mt Misery Walk, 3 hours return, starts at Huon Bush Retreats
  • Mystery Creek Cave Walk, 1.5 hours return, near Buttongrass Retreat
  • Duckhole Lake Walk, 1.5 hours return, near Buttongrass Retreat

Celebrate Winter with these great festivals
in southern Tasmania

Dark MoFo Winter Festival

Come to Hobart for a few days of art and culture, transforming the dark nights with light shows, bonfires and performance.
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Then head south to the Huon Valley, book into a cozy self contained cabin and cuddle up with a wood fire and glass of wine. A bit of fun in the snow, then back to Hobart for a couple more nights of art and performance.
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Huonville

Huon Valley Winter Festival

Bonfires, performance, wassailing, dance and feasting in the Huon Valley.

​Head to the Huon Valley to celebrate the regions apple picking history and join in the ages-old tradition of wassailing – basically scaring nasties out of the orchard’s cider trees to ensure a bumper autumn crop

What to do during Winter in southern Tasmania

Long nights give the best opportunities to see the Southern Lights Aurora.
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Far South Tasmania
It might be cold outside but always 11 degrees inside the cave and 27 degrees in the naturally heated thermal spring.

​Hastings Caves Winter schedule:
​2019 Times
Visitor Centre is open every day 10 am to 4 pm with cave tours 11.15; 12.15; 1.15; 2.15; 3.15.

Please purchase your tickets for cave tours at the Visitor Centre The cave tour takes approximately 45 minutes, this excludes self drive travel time to and from the cave which can take 20 minutes each way.
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Tasmanian Wilderness Flight
Discounted winter short tours. 3 hour flight and boat tour.

Special Winter
accommodation deals in south Tasmania

Discounted rates for multi night Autumn stays are found by clicking this button.

Hobart Featured Winter Accommodation

The Old Woolstore Hotel in central Hobart is a great place to base for a few winter nights. Walking distance to many Dark MoFo events.

Huonville Autumn Accommodation

Self contained Cottages, Deluxe Tipees and Camping in an extensive private habitat reserve

Self-contained cabins with cosy wood fires. Discounted winter rates including the $10 second night sale.
Cuddle up in front of the fire while you wait for the Southern Aurora to perform.
Just outside of Huonville, 50 minutes south from Hobart. Private and tranquil, Mid Price.

Dover/Southport Autumn Cabin

Self Contained
​Eco-Cabin Holiday Home

In the Far South of Tasmania, the forest parts to reveal a spectacular open buttongrass plain.

Discounted Winter rates most nights during winter. The spectacular view to the Southern Ranges is snow capped most of winter.

The 400 metre long driveway takes you to the tranquility of this 14 hectare private habitat reserve. Exclusive occupancy with just one self contained holiday home.

Ten Dollar Second Night Special

Monday to Thursday nights during Spring and Autumn, every night during winter: Pay full non-discounted rate for your first night and just $10 per person for your second night. Available 2 consecutive nights. Applies to over 500 cabin/nights at Huon Bush Retreats and Buttongrass Retreat. To see availability and instantly book online, see the booking chart below.
Examples:
  • Deluxe Tipee for 2 people, 2 nights: $145 + $10 + $10 = $165
  • Studio Cabin for 2 people, 2 nights: $320 + $10 + $10 = $340
  • Two Bedroom Cabin for 4 people, 2 nights: $420 + $10 + $10 + $10 + $10 = $460
On all discounted rates, full payment at time of booking then no refunds, no date changes. We guarantee you will get the same style of accommodation that you have chosen (studio, 2 bedroom or tipee) but the specific unit will be allocated on arrival. Valid  limited nights from May to November 2019. Not available in conjunction with any other discount.
There are also generous discounts for longer stays, midweek. If you want to stay longer than 2 nights, choose the "long stay" rates , which are even cheaper.