blog

5 reasons to visit Tasmania over winter

Cradle Mountain, St Clair National Park, Tasmania | Paul Maddock
Cradle Mountain, St Clair National Park, Tasmania | Paul Maddock

The remote trails of Tasmania turn into pieces of sublime beauty during the winter season. Passing along frozen lakes and crossing winter grasses and snow-covered trails makes winter trekking in Australia's south island state a truly spectacular experience.

We list five reasons why it's worth a visit over the colder months between June and early September.

1. Enjoy fewer crowds

Wherever you go in the world, a major benefit of travelling in the shoulder seasons or off-seasons is fewer tourists, and the same applies to Tasmania. 

Feel as though you have Tasmania's most popular trails to yourself with travellers few and far between on famous trails like the Overland Track. The off-peak season offers a more serene environment, giving you more solitude on the trail, uninterrupted views and a generally more peaceful experience at your campsite. 

Winter in the World Heritage sub-alpine wilderness |  <i>Aran Price</i>

2. Better bargains

You'll save more bang for your buck when travelling between June and August by avoiding high season surcharges, especially when it comes to flights and pre and post-accommodation.

3. Challenge yourself on an alpine adventure 

Never snowshoed? Now's your chance! Our experienced guides will help bring the track to life and teach first-time snowshoers key techniques and pointers for this fun style of alpine travel. It's growing in popularity for a reason.

Blue skies over a snow covered Cradle Mountain |  <i>Valda Gillies</i> Scenery around the Cradle Mountains |  <i>Paul Maddock</i> Hikers on the Overland Track during winter Barn Bluff in winter |  <i>Luke Tscharke</i> Winter Trekking in the Walls of Jerusalem becomes a very alpine experience |  <i>Chris Buykx</i> Walking in Cradle Mountain |  <i>Aran Price</i>
When not geared with the special snowshoes, trekking through glacial conditions, especially in Tasmania's variable weather will definitely bring a physical challenge. However, experiencing the soft touch of snow that transforms the wilderness areas is something truly sublime.

4. Witness the Southern Lights

Nights are longer over winter down south, meaning you have a longer window of opportunity to not only see a dark, starry night display but also have the chance to catch the colour light phenomenon of Aurora Australis – or the Southern Lights. 

A rare light show colours the sky over Cradle Mountain |  <i>Pierre Destribats</i>

Often the equinox is timed in September, however, this may vary. You can follow specific Aurora Australis Facebook groups that post tips and sightings.

5. It creates unique photo opportunities

Not only are the Southern Lights a unique spectacle to capture, but so is the winter wonderland landscape. Many of the park’s lakes freeze over during winter and the frosty environment blanketed by snow creates unique photographic opportunities that few trekkers are able to experience.

Snow capped Cradle Mountains, St Clair National Park, Tasmania |  <i>Paul Maddock</i>

Read more about what to expect when exploring Tasmania in winter in this blog.

Inspired? View our winter adventures in Tasmania

Australia, Tasmania, winter, snowshoeing

Comment (0)

Your comment will be visible after the administrator's approval.







b i u quote


Save Comment
Join Newsletter
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/ADS.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Adventures South"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Adventure South</div>
Adventure South NZ is unrivalled in their geographic coverage, originality and overall quality of adventures holidays in New Zealand. Choose from walking, cycling, winter or multi-activity holidays, on either the North or South Island.
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/AWH.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Australian Walking Holidays"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Australian Walking Holidays</div>
Australian Walking Holidays specialises in small group guided walking adventures. Since 1982 we have been guiding small groups of travellers on Australia's finest walks across our tropical, coastal or red centre landscapes.
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/GCT.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Great Canadian Trails"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Great Canadian Trails</div>
Great Canadian Trails specialises in active holidays in Canada. With both guided and supported self-guided options available, our unique itineraries draw upon some of Canada's most inspiring parks, trails and landscapes from coast to coast.
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/HUM.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Humac Challenge"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Huma Charity Challenge</div>
Huma enables those with adventurous spirits to challenge themselves and make a difference for a cause close to their heart. Travel, fundraise and meet life-long friends on one of Huma's meaningful and unique challenges around the world.
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/WB.jpg?v2' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Walkers’ Britain"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Walkers' Britain</div>
Walkers' Britain (formerly Sherpa Expeditions) have specialised in walking and cycling trips in the United Kingdom and Europe since 1973. Explore iconic trails and destinations on a self guided or small group active holiday with Walkers' Britain.
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/WB.jpg?v2' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Walkers’ Britain"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Walkers' Britain</div>
Walkers' Britain (formerly Sherpa Expeditions) have specialised in walking and cycling trips in the United Kingdom and Europe since 1973. Explore iconic trails and destinations on a self guided or small group active holiday with Walkers' Britain.
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/TAS.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Tasmania Expeditions"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Tasmanian Expeditions</div>
Tasmanian Expeditions is the most experienced operator of treks and adventure travel holidays in Tasmania. We own and operate the most comprehensive range of adventure holidays available across Tasmania's varied landscapes.
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/UTX-new.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Utracks"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>UTracks</div>
UTracks are the active European holiday specialists. Whether you prefer cycling or walking, 2-star or 4-star, small groups or self guided, land, river or sea – UTracks can help you to explore Europe exactly the way you want.
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/WYA.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="World Expeditions Schools"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>World Expeditions Schools</div>
World Expeditions Schools is our specialist division dedicated to organising tailor made overseas school group adventures. Specialists in Service Learning projects, choose from more destinations than any other school group provider.
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/YOM.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Yomads"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Yomads</div>
Yomads offers adventures for the 20s and 30s on six continents. Designed as a way to bring young and likeminded travellers together, Yomads caters to those interested in lightly structured and active trips that allow freedom to roam and explore.
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/ACT.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Australian Cycle Tours"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Australian Cycle Tours</div>
Australian Cycle Tours specialises in high quality self guided and guided cycling experiences in a selection of the most beautiful regions in Australia.
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/WEX.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="World Expeditions"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>World Expeditions</div>
The pioneers of original, worldwide adventure travel holidays since 1975
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/TJX.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Trail Journeys"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Trail Journeys</div>
Self-guided cycling experts on New Zealand's Otago Rail Trail and more
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/BMAC.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Blue Mountains Adventure Company"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Blue Mountains Adventure Company</div>
The original Blue Mountains canyoning, hiking, climbing and abseiling experts
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/GWNZ.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Great Walks of New Zealand"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Great Walks of New Zealand</div>
Explore New Zealand's most spectacular wilderness regions with the self-guided hiking experts
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/NAA.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="North America Active"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>North America Active</div>
USA Canada hiking & cycling tour specialists, choose from self-guided or guided trips