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 call up 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 is the best place to be.

Best for a weekend getaway: Twamley Farm

Slow down and feast at this 7000 acre working farm near Buckland on Tasmania’s east coast. Stay during the winter months and you’ll be treated to a farmhouse picnic, including homemade pumpkin soup and terrine made from locally sourced pheasant to warm over the firepit; crusty bread and a bottle of local pinot noir; a billy of hot chocolate and marshmallows to toast. Once you’ve finished your feast, take a soak in the outdoor woodfired hot tub. This is what winter dreams are made of.

Best for a luxurious escape: The Keep

Cosy up beside the granite fireplace, soak in the outdoor tub, or rug up for one of several private walks around the Keep, a mountain eyrie built 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.

Stay at the Keep during the winter months and have your every whim catered to with a welcome platter, breakfast provisions, local wine and hearty, easy-to-prepare dinners provided.

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 ancient 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 2000-year-old King Billy during your paddle.

Best for romantic nights in: Old Bishop's Quarters

Find romance personified at Old Bishop’s Quarters in Hobart. Book into Maud’s Cottage in the winter and you’ll find the wood fire already set and a large copper tub with ample room for two. Soak outside with the dazzling night sky as your evening entertainment before wrapping up in a bathrobe and snuggling into bed.

Best for a wilderness escape: Hunter Huon Valley

Wrap yourself in trees, cheese and blankets this winter at Hunter Huon Valley. You’ll find these architecturally designed cabins tucked away in the Glen Huon bushland. Cosy up from the winter weather in your luxuriously large bathtub overlooking the treetops, then dabble in a flight of whisky from Waubs Harbour Distillery, paired with handcrafted cheeses – all beside the crackling woodfire.

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. Winter is the perfect time to practice the "Nordic cycle" using the private sauna and outdoor shower area, or add-on some aromatic mulled wine provisions when booking your stay to warm up from within.

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. After your tour, tuck in for the night inside a safari tent set up for stargazing at the nearby NRMA Port Arthur Holiday Park: private outdoor bath included.

Best for getting a dirty knee: The Whimsy

Looking for a unique place to propose? This early-1900s miners cottage in Weldborough might be just the spot. Stay mid-week for the opportunity to meet a local gem fossicker and craftsman. They’ll help you select the perfect Tasmanian sapphire pulled from the nearby river, then shape it into a custom piece of jewellery. If you’d prefer to uncover your own stones, the Whimsy will provide all the equipment you need to give fossicking a try yourself.