Winter activities
for families
in Tasmania

Don’t hibernate this winter. Celebrate the cooler days with Australia’s most authentic winter family holiday experiences in Tasmania.

Picture snow-coated mountains, abundant wildlife and starry night skies. The island offers fun winter activities for all interests and age-groups, from outdoor thrill seekers to indoor indulgers. You won't run out of things to do in winter in Tasmania.

Want to occupy the kids for the school holidays, reconnect with the senior explorers in your life or embark on a rousing adventure? It’s all possible here. So, what are you waiting for, let's go! Here are some Tasmanian winter holiday ideas to create the journey of a lifetime.

There’s snow place like Tasmania

Kunanyi / Mount Wellington

Hobart offers unforgettable winter views with Kunanyi / Mount Wellington towering over the city (and often blanketed in snow). For a different perspective, head to the mountain summit to behold sweeping views of the capital and its scenic surrounds. When snow falls Kunanyi / Mount Wellington becomes a playground for outdoor winter activities. You can access the summit on a tour bus, hike or self-drive. The Organ Pipes track is one of Tasmania’s 60 Great Short Walks, while the Ice House track climbs all the way to the summit, both set out from The Springs.

Depending on conditions, the road and trails may close for safety reasons, so keep an eye out for mountain closures and check out these safety tips for travelling in Tasmania. Reduce speed, avoid sudden braking and exercise caution when driving up the mountain as it is a steep and winding road. If you plan on walking to the summit be sure to rug up in warm and waterproof clothing, and don’t attempt it in snowy conditions or poor visibility.

Mount Mawson and Mount Field

A scenic drive from Hobart, Mount Field National Park becomes a snowy paradise in the Off Season. Towering peaks, ancient rainforests, and spectacular waterfalls set the scene for winter activities in the wild. Mount Mawson, a ski resort in the park, is the perfect spot to try skiing, snowboarding or frolicking in the snow. There’s no on-site gear hire available, so make sure you bring your own or pick up a toboggan from Mountain Creek Outdoors in Hobart before you go.

Ben Lomond

Keen to hit the slopes? Head to Ben Lomond National Park, just 60km east of Launceston. Here, you can ski, snowboard and enjoy family-friendly winter activities like sledding, snowball fights and snowman building – it’s perfect for a family winter holiday. Ben Lomond Base and Ben Lomond Snow Sports have got you covered with gear rentals, lessons and mountain shuttles. Then hit the slopes at Ben Lomond Alpine Resort.

Cradle Mountain

Cradle Mountain rises from the shores of Dove Lake like a giant against the skyline. Warm up on one of the many short, family-friendly winter walks available – just ensure you're well-prepared for alpine walking. Admire the views at Dove Lake Lookout then come face to face with Tasmanian devils at the Devils@Cradle wildlife sanctuary. Stay nearby at Cradle Mountain Lodge, one of many Cradle Mountain accommodation options.

Winter wildlife watching

Tasmanian devils

In a Tasmanian winter, trips for families are best spent discovering the island's unique wildlife, and no visit would be complete without meeting one of its most iconic residents: the Tasmanian devil. While these nocturnal marsupials are most active in winter, sightings in the wild can be rare, so the best way to see them up close is to visit a wildlife sanctuary. Devils@Cradle's joey encounter offers a chance to meet cute young devils and even pat one. Near Hobart, a Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary tour lets you feed devils and other furry favourites like kangaroos and wombats in a small group setting.

Penguins

Tasmania is home to the world’s smallest penguin, the fairy penguin (aka little penguin). Watching these little birds return to shore at dusk is a Tasmanian winter highlight. Bicheno on the east coast is a prime spot for penguin-watching at sunset – join a guided tour with Bicheno Penguin Tours. Burnie also offers rich opportunities to see these feathered cuties. Stay at One North Terrace and wander along the boardwalk to view the nightly penguin march from the Penguin Observation Centre.

Wombats

If you’ve always wanted to meet a cuddly wombat – and let’s be honest, who hasn’t – then winter is your best bet. These adorable creatures are more active during the day in winter as the cool weather encourages them to venture out. You can meet and feed wombats at Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary or add a wombat encounter to your East Coast Natureworld experience– baby devil, echidna and sugar glider meet-cutes are also available. For a chance to see them in the wild, head to wombat hotspots like Cradle Mountain, Walls of Jerusalem, Flinders Island, and Maria Island or get the low down from our wombat guide. Please help the wildlife stay wild by keeping your distance. Never feed or touch native animals.

Starry winter nights

For the dreamers with their eyes to the sky, winter in Tasmania offers an unparalleled opportunity for stargazing. The island’s longer, darker nights paired with crisp, clear air create the perfect conditions for seeing the Milky Way and the Southern Lights. On chilly nights the warmth of Tasmania’s unofficial uniform, the puffer jacket (known as a Tasmanian tuxedo), and a thermos of something hot in hand will keep you comfortable. And don’t forget to bring along your camera or mobile phone.

Port Arthur is a great place for stargazing. After exploring the convict history of Turrakana /Tasman Peninsula, treat yourself to a stay at NRMA Port Arthur Holiday Park to take in the twinkling sky while taking advantage of the onsite wood-fired pizza oven. Stay at Wesley Dale Tasmania in the Western Tiers for stargazing and an after-dark farm tour.

Cosy indoor adventures

If the cold gets the best of you, Tasmania has plenty of indoor activities to keep the family entertained. Learn how to make paper from scratch at Creative Paper Tasmania or take a tour through the cosmos at the Hive’s planetarium, both in the northwest of the state. Curious for something a little creepier with the clan? Join a ghost tour or paranormal investigation with Tasmania’s Most Haunted at haunted sites in Hobart and New Norfolk. Top it all off with a hands-on chocolate pouring experience at Federation Chocolate.