The Best of Tasmania’s East Coast This Off Season

Soak up the region this winter with whisky tastings, an evening with Tassie devils, scallop pies, and a bracing cold plunge to finish your sauna session. Don’t miss the laser show, and make time for a wine tasting and tour with an underground twist. There’s plenty to keep you busy on this stretch of coastline for days.

STAY

Little Beach Co Resort

Set along a secluded stretch of coastline at the Chain of Lagoons, Little Beach Co Resort is made for proper switching off and warming up this Off Season. Architecturally designed villas sit low in the landscape, with expansive ocean views and direct access to the water.

Days are spent moving between the sauna and hot tub, curling up indoors, or soaking in the luxurious granite bathtub – before doing it all again. Glühwein with a Tasmanian twist is provided, with both alcoholic and non-alcoholic options available. It’s best enjoyed fireside, wrapped in a blanket and gazing at a star-studded sky. 

Twamley Farm

Stay on a working farm just outside Buckland this winter, with three beautifully appointed accommodation options: the Farm Pod, the Shearer’s Hut and the Stable. Spend your time fishing, wandering the historic property, or trying your hand at clay target shooting. An Off Season stay includes a thoughtfully prepared farmhouse picnic – think homemade pumpkin soup with crusty bread, a locally sourced pheasant terrine, and a bottle of Tassie pinot noir. Then warm up a billy of hot chocolate and toast marshmallows, best enjoyed by the fire or in the woodfired hot tub.

EAT AND DRINK

Waubs Harbour Distillery

At the site of a former oyster hatchery, Waubs Harbour Distillery has established itself as a world-class whisky producer.

This winter, gather around an open fire to hear maritime stories of sealing and whaling that shaped the region. The Saturday afternoon sessions are paired with tastings of the distillery’s maritime whisky. Aged in casks by the ocean, each pour carries subtle briny notes that reflect its coastal surroundings. 

Tasman Sea Salt

Perched on the edge of the sea, Tasman Sea Salt invites you to join a salt harvest and guided tasting experience.

On this exposed stretch of coastline overlooking the Tasman Sea, the operation uses solar, wind and ocean-derived thermal energy to produce delicate sea salt flakes from exceptionally clean water.

With warm mulled cider in hand, step out into the elements to watch brine transform into fine crystals. Afterwards, retreat to the Salt Cellar for a tasting session to explore how salt shapes and sharpens flavour, all while taking in sweeping views across the Freycinet Peninsula. It’s a rare look inside Australia’s only clean-energy sea salt distillery.

Freycinet Marine Farm

There are a few essentials for a Tasmanian winter road trip: Blundstones, a proper jacket, and a fresh scallop pie.

Freycinet Marine Farm’s signature version is a standout this Off Season: buttery pastry filled with rich creamy scallops. Enjoy it in the farm shop or garden, or take it to-go for a walk along the nearby white-sand beaches.

DO

Ripple HQ

Set on the main street of St Helens, Ripple HQ is a sanctuary for restoration. Whether you’re seeking contrast therapy, looking to build mental resilience, or simply carving out some solo time, this is where to find it.

Move between infrared saunas and plunge pools – chilled to 8 degrees Celsius – cycling through rounds that reward you with heat after the cold. Finish with a seasonal Tasmanian tea, a face mask and a Polaroid keepsake: proof that you’ve fully become a winter person.

East Coast Natureworld

A short drive from Bicheno, East Coast Natureworld’s after-hours Devils in the Dark experience returns for winter.

From a covered, all-weather viewing area, watch Tasmanian devils feed at close range, with very little separating you from Australia’s largest carnivorous marsupial. Expert guides provide commentary throughout, accompanied by Tasmanian wine and cheese.

Due to the raw nature of the experience, it’s recommended for children aged six and above.

WHAT’S ON

Bicheno Beams 

From June 27 to July 25, the usually quiet fishing village of Bicheno transforms after dark. Each evening from 6:30pm, an all-ages laser show illuminates the town in a 15-minute spectacle.

Two shows run on alternating nights, making it worth extending your stay on the east coast to catch both. Bring a blanket or chairs, rug up and settle in with a thermos; if there’s rain, it only adds to the atmosphere.

Devil’s Corner Cellar Door: Moulting Lagoon experience 

Experience an exclusive vineyard tour at Devil’s Corner on June 3, July 1 and August 5, guided by the team behind the wines, vines and local culinary offerings.

Travel through the Hazards vineyard to Moulting Lagoon, where a Freycinet oyster shucking demonstration unfolds from the back of a ute – a perfect Tassie experience. With a glass of Devil’s Corner sparkling or Resolution riesling in hand, gather by the firepit and take it all in.

Then, enjoy mulled wine and toasted marshmallows before returning to the cellar door and descending into the Devil’s Den. Here, a long lunch is served in the hidden underground cellar. A guided tasting rounds out the day, exploring the complexity and character of these premium cool-climate wines.

This article is produced by Broadsheet in partnership with Tourism Tasmania.