Unforgettable romantic winter getaways
In some places the seasons blend into one, but in Tasmania you can experience the fullness of a real winter.
And when that wintry weather comes with roaring fireplaces, delicious food, snow-capped mountains and hygge interiors, your best bet is to grab someone you love, hop on a ferry or plane and head south to the wonderland that is Tasmania in the Off Season. The chances are you typed “romantic winter getaways Australia” into a search engine, which brought you here. Trust us, this the best place to be.
Best for a weekend getaway: Strahan
A wild outlier boasting Tasmania’s longest beach and 30m-high dunes, few towns in the world are as rugged and wild as remote Strahan. No wonder this is one of Australia’s most romantic winter holiday destinations. Explore the convict ruins of Sarah Island, where Hells Gates meet the Southern Ocean, then cruise into World Heritage wilderness with Gordon River Cruises or World Heritage Cruises. Is that a 2000-year-old Huon pine? At the end of the day, cuddle up at cosy Captains Rest with its wood fire and views of the old jetty.
Best for seafood lovers: Tasmanian Seafood Seduction
Seafood doesn’t come much fresher than from the pure waters surrounding Tasmania’s Bruny Island. On this all-day cruise with Pennicott Wilderness Journeys, you’ll watch your guide snorkel and dive for elements of your feast, which you’ll savour with the bays and deserted beaches of Bruny as your backdrop. Sea urchin and abalone straight from the ocean, plump oysters, rock lobster, mussels and salmon are all on today’s menu, accompanied by fresh breads, salads, cheese and Tasmanian wines, beers, ciders and organic juices.
Best for a luxurious escape: The Keep
Whether you cosy up beside the granite fireplace, soak in the outdoor tub, or rug up for one of several private walks through the property, the Keep is a mountain eyrie in the style of a Scottish Highland folly. Perched on a 650m rocky outcrop with 360-degree-views of the Blue Tiers and the entire north eastern coastline, this is the definitive couple winter weekend getaway. The Keep offers genuine escape; a chance to reconnect with nature and one another with all the luxurious creature comforts you could need.
Best for foodies: Stillwater
Table for two? Pull up a chair at Launceston’s Stillwater for mouth-watering seasonal produce cooked to perfection by award-winning chefs. Expect locally grown veg and the best meat and fish that the north has to offer, all served up in the intimate surrounds of a converted 1830's flour mill on the banks of kanamaluka / River Tamar. You’re also on the fringe of Tamar Valley wine country; vineyards blanket the land near the river and with more than 30 wineries to choose from, you’re never far from a cellar door. No wonder a stay in this part of Tasmania is one of Australia’s best winter couple getaways.
Best for active couples: Dove Lake Kayak
Immerse yourself in one of the most famous vistas in the Australian wilderness. Cradle Mountain is one of National Geographic’s 100 most beautiful places and Dove Lake Kayak allows you to paddle beneath its towering spires in a boat built from King Billy pine. As you paddle past Glacier Rock, the Ballroom Forest and, yes, Honeymoon Island, you’ll discover the natural and cultural history of the area. You may even spot a living King Billy.
Best for romantic views: Hot Air Balloon Tas
There is no more serene way to enjoy the visual glory of Tasmania than by hot air balloon. The true beauty of the island landscape is revealed as you lift quietly into the sky, bathed in morning sun. From your basket, you’ll enjoy unobstructed views of northern Tasmania’s mountain skyline, its wild rivers, lush fertile farmland, heritage homesteads and sapphire coast. It's hard to get away from it more on a couples’ winter getaway than this. Bring your cameras, it’s quite a ride.
Best for a wilderness escape: Tiny Escapes Cradle Valley
While spectacular Cradle Mountain is not the island’s highest peak, it’s surely the most romantic, especially when winter coats it with a dusting of snow. You’ll see far fewer people here in the Off Season – which does everything to add to the serene winter atmosphere. Book a Tiny Escapes Cradle Valley chalet for a romantic winter mountain getaway to remember. These well-appointed off-grid tiny houses are dotted across a swathe of bushland and make an ideal – and cosy – base to explore the northern reaches of Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park.
Best for keeping warm: Still at Freycinet
In Danish, hygge means creating a warm atmosphere and enjoying the good things in life with good people. But you don’t need to travel to Scandinavia to enjoy it. Still at Freycinet is one of Tasmania’s best romantic winter getaways; a Nordic-inspired, architecturally designed escape with gob-smacking views of the Hazards mountains, right on the doorstep of Coles Bay and Freycinet National Park. Practice the "Nordic cycle" using the private sauna and outdoor shower area, or simply relax on a cosy day bed with a book from the reading room.
Best for history buffs: Port Arthur Ghost Tour
In a country where few buildings are more than 200 years old, it’s rare to see ruins, especially those as confronting as Port Arthur Historic Site. Visiting this UNESCO World Heritage-listed convict site at night adds to the eeriness. Keep hold of your partner as you poke around evocative remains, intact cottages and brutal reminders of incarceration. Experienced guides will recount tales of the paranormal documented from convict times to the modern day, while leading you through one of Australia’s darkest and most haunted corners.
Best for culture vultures: Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra
In Hobart for a romantic winter weekend getaway? Lose yourselves in an evening of emotion, inspiration, and magic. The Federation Concert Hall is an acoustic masterclass and the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra’s musicians consistently fill it with instrumental and choral magic throughout the Tasmanian winter. This is classical music played to the highest international standard – remarkable for a state as small as Tasmania.
Off Season Stories
Local experts share their wintry intel. Be pulled into these Tasmanian tales, spun right across the island.
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