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De-stress out west – it’s a wildly invigorating place to spend winter.

Nature is king on the west coast, where World Heritage wilderness awaits exploration. Smell the swirling rainforest air and ocean mist, stimulate all five senses with an adventure into the past, and blow out the cobwebs on a daring dune ride.

Zip up your toastiest jacket and add these west-coast experiences to your list of things to do in Tasmania in winter. Much like the rugged terrain out here, the Off Season is for the trailblazers.

A black and white photo of a long, straight, wide main road through a small town. The symmetry of the buildings either side frame the mountain rising up in the background.
Queenstown
Ollie Khedun and West Coast Council

Eat

Seek foodie experiences that warm you from the inside and connect you with the community.

On the west coast, the locals have smiles and stories to share. Head into rocky Queenstown for top-notch Tasmanian vino and nibbles at Moonscape Wine Bar, or enjoy silky pinot and warm mussels by the fire at Smelters Restaurant. Further west in Strahan, sink into a soft chair high above the harbour and graze on wine and cheese at View 42° Restaurant and Bar.  

A group of young people stand under the verandah or an old, wood hut in deep forest.
Corinna Huts
Jason Charles Hill

Stay

Wherever you stay on the west coast, natural beauty follows.

Corinna Wilderness Village offers eco-accommodation in pure isolation (a kayak trip to Lovers Falls is a must while you’re here).

Choose historical accommodation equipped with a fireplace: Franklin Manor was once the home of Strahan’s Harbour Master – today, it’s a timeless boutique stay. Kerrellie Cottages, formerly the quarters of the police superintendent, offers quaint interiors and an inviting spa bath. And laze on a large sofa at Rosy Summers, an old miner’s shack, painted a joyous shade of pink.

For modern indulgence, thick rugs warm your feet at French-style cabin the Quarters Strahan; gather round the firepit with mates or sink into a stone tub on the deck at the Galah’s Nest; seek seclusion for two, snuggling into linen-laden couches at Bushy Summers; or cook marshmallows over the fire and drink in water views at Seaforth Shack.  

A family walk along the top of a sand dune.
Henty Dunes
Tourism Tasmania and Dan Fellow

Play

Out west, history and outdoor adventure collide.

Bolt down Mount Owen on a seriously scenic mountain bike ride, or through the epic buttongrass plains of Zeehan’s Silver City MTB Trails. You might encounter snow flurries, clear sunlight, or lashing winter rain – embrace whatever comes.

Tasmania’s tallest waterfall flourishes during winter: walk or bike to Montezuma Falls (104m) and step onto the exhilarating swing bridge. Or hire a toboggan and head to Henty Dunes for a dash down the slopes.  

Several train carriages turn gently through a bend between tall, thin trees in a dense forest, while steam from the train drifts through the undergrowth.
West Coast Wilderness Railway
Tourism Australia

Gordon River Cruises and World Heritage Cruises whisk you across atmospheric waters into Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park, while the West Coast Wilderness Railway trundles ever higher through the rainforest. History surrounds you: hear tales of the region’s gold-mining boom and bust, discover remnants of a harsh convict settlement on Sarah Island, and rewatch history while you wine and dine at the art deco-style Paragon Theatre – a building oozing old grandeur, harking back to a golden era of the once glamorous, now humble west coast.  

Set your compass to Tasmania's regions

Explore things to do across Tasmania's five distinctive regions, from the sizzling south to the gourmet north; the wild west, luxurious east and snow-capped north west. Wherever you decide to roam on this heart-shaped island, you’ll find treasured places to eat, stay and play (that's how you keep the winter chill at bay).

Take me there

Two mountain bike riders riders lean into the corner of a gravel track looking down the side of a slope to a large lake in the distance.

What's on your winter bucket list?

Strike your burning desires off your to-do list: fill your nights with wild wonder, expand your creative horizons, hike deep into Tasmania’s wilderness, and taste seasonal feasts and silky libations. Maybe you’ll even shatter the bounds of your comfort zone on a caving or cold-plunging adventure? This winter, it’s up to you.

Inspire me

A young man with a beard up to his shoulders in water.

Stay in the know

Can’t wait to put your puffer jacket back on? Subscribe to be the first to know about winter events and special Off Season offers for 2025.

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