Skip to main content

Cycles of creativity weave through the Off Season like an Antarctic gust through a winter elm.

There’s something in the atmosphere at this latitude – the cooler air and the low afternoon light – that sends Tasmania’s community of artists scuttling away to get busy. They write, draw, paint and sculpt. They design new recipes and weld rusty iron into lusty shapes.

In Tasmania, winter is far from barren – it’s downright fertile.

Hone your craft, learn something new, prowl galleries, peruse market stalls or immerse in artsy stays: join the creative dots as you explore the island.

Get festive

Tasmania’s winter festivals are a mainline into the island’s creative flow.

A few days at Dark Mofo (5–15 June) is a fast-track education in Tasmanian creativity. Tune in, tap a toe and test your vocals with the talented singers at the Festival of Voices (27 June–6 July) celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2025. Find visual delight at Bicheno Beams (28 June–19 July), where prisms of brilliant light streak the night sky, or head to Beaker Street Festival (12–19 August) for a week of surprising science-infused experiences.

Let the festive artists do the creative heavy lifting and don't forget to book your tickets in advance (…we’d say, “you snooze, you lose”, but that sounds a bit mean-hearted).

What's on

View all    
A futuristic underground tunnel with large circular entrances and glowing linear lights along the floor. The lights create a sense of depth, and the textured stone walls add a natural contrast to the sleek, modern design

Siloam, Mona
Jesse Hunniford

Art time

Less ephemeral but just as engaging are Tasmania’s leading art galleries. Don’t miss a cool winter’s day spent pondering sex and death in the warmth of Mona and dig into Théo Mercier’s immense new Mirrorscape exhibition (15 February 2025–16 February 2026) constructed entirely from sand and running for a full year.Or head for the elegant galleries of the esteemed Hadley's Art Prize (July) where Australian landscapes transport you across the continent.

Gain an enriched perspective on Tasmania’s creativity, culture and heritage while perusing the extensive collections at Hobart's TMAG and changing exhibitions at St Helens History Room. In Launceston, Design Tasmania is brimming with contemporary design and uniquely Tasmanian artisan works.

Creative community

When someone’s really, really good at doing something and they’re willing to show you the ropes, it’s plain foolish not to listen. Blend your own heady floral scent at a Bridestowe Lavender Estate fragrance workshop in Nabowla, or forge new skills on a blacksmithing or knifemaking workshop with Mattila Studio in the heart of Hobart.

In the Huon Valley, whip up full-flavoured Italian soups and stews at the Farmhouse Kitchen cooking class.

If you’d prefer to get creative in the kitchen at your accommodation, fill a hamper of seasonal produce at Harvest Market in Launceston or Farm Gate Market in Hobart (or a host of other great farmers’ markets) and cook up a storm. To stock your suitcase with local arts and crafts, peruse the eclectic Salamanca Market, held each Saturday near Hobart’s waterfront.

Artsy accommodation

Settle into a creative east-coast stay at Beaumaris Beach Guest House where the walls are adorned with original art works, and workshops will hone your printmaking, painting, needlework or cooking skills.

Queenstown’s Empire Hotel features a National Trust-listed staircase carved from Tasmanian blackwood. Admire the craftmanship before savouring a spicy mulled wine and a hearty meal in the hotel restaurant – ideal after a day exploring the west coast.

In the far north west, Ship Inn Stanley could be a work of art itself, with the Nut providing a dramatic backdrop. Relax and unwind by the fire with a warming glass of muscat and absorb the fascinating stories of this building’s industrious past.

Off season offers

View all    

Where will the Off Season take you?

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? Awaken your winter self.

Plan your Off Season

A woman sitting outdoors laughs heartily while holding a chicken in her arms. She wears a warm knit hat and layered clothing. Nearby, a rustic wooden table holds enamel mugs and a cooking pot, adding to the cozy and lively outdoor atmosphere

become a winter person

Don your woolly socks and subscribe to the Off Season newsletter to be the first to know about Tasmania’s winter festivals, events and special offers.

Please add a valid name
Please select your location
A close-up of human knees caked with dried mud. In the background, a group of people blurred in motion, in the middle of a football game.
This website stores cookies on your device

By continuing to use this website, you agree to the storage of necessary, statistical and marketing cookies. By accepting cookies, we can provide you with content recommendations based on your interests. By declining, only necessary cookies for the website to function will be enabled. Learn more here.

By creating an account on Discover Tasmania, you agree to the terms of use outlined in our Privacy Statement. 

Success!

You are now signed in.

Trip Planner

It looks like you're serious about planning a trip to Tasmania.
Sign in, or create a Discover Tasmania account so you can keep adding items to your trip. create multiple trips, and more.
I'll do this later Continue exploring

Add to Trip Planner

Which trip would you like to add to?

Item added to Trip

View Trip

You have nearly reached the Explore Map plot limit of 27 items per itinerary.

Try splitting itineraries, rather than creating one large itinerary.


Manage trips
Please try again in a few moments.