Culture, cuisine and cold dips

Start your southern Tasmania sojourn with a tasty pastry or sourdough sandwich for breakfast from Hobart’s hole-in-the-wall Pigeon Whole Bakers.

Mosey down to Mona (Museum of Old and New Art) for peculiar and thought-provoking exhibitions. This winter, you can check out Theo Mercier’s Mirrorscape sand sculpture and Arcangelo Sassolino’s melting steel experiment.

Swap food for thought for the real thing. Head to Hobart’s historic waterfront for lunch. Tuck into a Tassie must-try: curry scallop calzone at Harbour Lights Cafe. But get in quick, this offer is only available 12.30pm–2pm.

Continue with a peek into Tasmania’s colonial past at Cascades Female Factory.

Dine at small bar Sylvie to savour some of Tasmania’s best sea-to-plate cuisine and cool-climate wines.

Then, spoil yourself with a plush night at the award-winning Tasman luxury hotel and maybe enjoy a nip of whisky or sip of wine in the sandstone cellar.

Organise in-room breakfast at your accommodation for an early start.  

Head 30min south of Hobart to Margate Marina. Embark on a sunrise sauna cruise with Kuuma Nature Sauna (winter exclusive, weekends only) and brave a bracing cold dip.

Feeling rejuvenated, drive on to the Huon Valley. Find farm-fresh food and handcrafted goods at Willie Smith’s Apple Shed’s artisan market on Saturday mornings.

Refuel with Willie Smith’s warming valley experience for a hearty winter lunch, with hot spiced cider and apple pie.

Next stop is Lonnavale for a sled dog adventure with huskies through frosty plains and forests.

Drop into Huonville’s Lost Captain Restaurant and Taphouse for a dinner showcasing Huon Valley produce.

Retreat to nearby Hunter Huon Valley cabin where you can cosy by the crackling fire with whisky and cheese before drifting off to sleep.

Leaving your cosy Huon Valley cabin, head south along the Huon Highway, tracing the mighty Huon River.

Stop in Franklin, where the Turkish-inspired coffee and breakfast at Cinnamon and Cherry are sure to wake you up.

Continue south to Tahune Airwalk, near Geeveston. If you have a head for heights, you can walk 30m above the forest floor through a canopy of towering trees. There are also walking trails and swing bridges at ground level. Warm up at the onsite cafe with a hot drink in your keepsake cup, only available when you visit in the Off Season.

Feeling hungry? Enjoy a country-style lunch and local cider at Frank’s Cider House and cafe. Afterwards, wander through their museum for a window into the area’s rich apple growing heritage.

Return to Hobart where, weather permitting, a 30min drive will take you to the summit of Kunanyi / Mount Wellington for panoramic views of the capital (and maybe a dusting of snow).

Descend in time for dinner at Mr. Good Guy with a winter seafood platter, pairing perfectly with a glass of local cool-climate bubbles.