Wilderness Meets Wellness on Tasmania’s Best Guided Winter Hikes, Tours and Rides

Lutruwita / Tasmania is beautiful all year round. But it might be at its best in the colder months, with crisp alpine air, majestic landscapes and fewer crowds. While the rest of the southern states shiver indoors, Tassie’s tour operators lean into the season and take you deep into the wilderness without leaving comfort behind. Days spent on the trail might be bookended with plush beds, sauna sessions and meals made with the island’s best produce.

Each tour has an expert guide to help you understand the local flora, fauna and history. And for most of them, you don’t even need to pack any food or gear. Feel small and be awed by nature with these guided experiences.

A sunrise like no other

The Three Capes Track is one of Tasmania’s most popular multi-day hikes. And if you’re new to bushwalking, this slightly more luxe sunrise walk by Tasmanian Walking Company is a great way to dip your toe (or boot) in. The four-day tour kicks off with a ferry from Hobart with views of Port Arthur, towering dolerite cliffs and the chance to spot seals and dolphins. Along the track, complaints of sore feet will be silenced by breathtaking views at Arthurs Peak, Cape Pillar (the highest sea cliff in the southern hemisphere) and a swim in Fortescue Bay. Added comforts like provided lunches, showers, three-course dinners, Tassie wines, a massage and cold plunge make it easy to relax. Much of this trail is along the edge of the ocean with birds for company – just don’t forget to look up. $3695 per person, June 8 to 21, 2026

Adrift on Dove Lake

This three-hour kayak session will make you feel as small as a ladybug. Paddle alongside Cradle Mountain, the iconic 1545-metre-tall dolerite mountain that was carved by glacial ice more than 20 millennia ago. On the water, you’ll cruise over the dark waters of Dove Lake in a hand-built timber kayak with the crisp alpine air on your face. Afterwards, there’s a hot-drink break on the shoreline and a gentle walk through a rainforest of ancient King Billy pines. It’s suitable for beginners and families, and kids can easily jump into a kayak with a parent. $170 per person, May 1 to August 31, 2026

Like the survivors did 

When you really need a break, go to the island off the island. Sitting in the Bass Strait off Tasmania’s north-west coast, King Island is secluded and stunning – with clean air, rolling hills, rugged coastal cliffs and dramatic sunsets. This guided four-day winter walk retraces the route followed by survivors of the Netherby shipwreck in 1866. This Grade 4 walk is moderate to challenging, but you’ll have professional guides, high-quality hired gear, lunches and trail snacks to keep you going. You’ll need to pack your own dinners for this trip (tip: go for the freeze-dried meals from Tassie brand Strive, especially the laksa), but there’s a celebratory drink waiting at the end of each day. $1270 per person, July 1 to 31, 2026

Wildlife-spotting after dark

From wombats to the island’s famous devil, Tasmania is known for its nocturnal animals. Kick off your weekend with a small, guided Friday-night tour through the bush around Hobart. Over two and a half hours, Inala’s expert guides will cover the animals, ecology and history of the region, all while scanning the dark for wildlife with non-invasive red torches. You never know what you’ll find – maybe ringtail possums, tawny frogmouths, or the endemic pademelon? Refreshments are included, just leave your friend with no inside voice at home. $200 per person, Friday evenings from June 1 to August 31, 2026

Rain? Not a problem

Rain is always a possibility in Tasmania, but don’t let it put you off – it’s all part of the experience. Strahan’s World Heritage Cruises leans into it with a Rain Guarantee: book an adult seat on its cruise through the Unesco Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area and, if it rains, you’ll get a free hot drink or soup to keep warm. Along the way, you’ll glide along the Gordon River, explore the historic penal settlement of Sarah Island, and learn about the area’s rich, layered history. A Tassie-produce lunch is also included, and you can order local wines at the bar. Starting at $160 per person, May 1 to August 31, 2026

Glamp in the wilderness

If you think Tasmania’s wilderness looks beautiful on foot, wait until you see it from the air. This overnight adventure begins with a 45-minute chartered flight from Hobart to Melaleuca, a remote settlement and launchpad for exploring some of Tassie’s wildest bushland. You’ll fly over the lush rainforests and alpine ranges of Southwest National Park, before a boat transfer to Par Avion’s Southwest Wilderness Camp. Over two days, you’ll explore temperate rainforest and buttongrass plains on foot, keeping an eye out for the critically endangered orange-bellied parrot, one of the world’s few migratory parrots. It comes with a full glamping set-up, hearty dinners, comfy beds, hot showers and Tassie wines. $1799 per person (normally $1999), May 1 to August 31, 2026

Huon Valley on two wheels

This one’s for the bikepackers and cycling fanatics. A private three-day retreat pairs scenic rides through the Huon Valley with restorative meditation and contrast therapy. You’ll spend crisp mornings on the bike, cruising past farmland, rugged coastline and orchard country. Afternoons are for recovering the use of your calves (and whatever’s left of your willpower) with guided breathwork, a woodfired sauna, outdoor cold plunge and journalling sessions, all surrounded by nature. Evenings bring hearty meals made from Huon Valley produce, and the retreat wraps up with lunch in Cygnet. For those who want to push further, there’s an optional ride back to Hobart via Kunanyi/Mount Wellington. From $1800 per person, May 1 to August 31, 2026

Hit the trails around Blue Derby

A former tin-mining town turned mountain-biking paradise, Derby sits in a slice of forested hills 90 minutes’ drive north-east of Launceston. Here, 80 kilometres of world-class trails wind through lush rainforest, and past rivers and waterfalls, with plenty of berms to carve through on the way. This three-day guided experience, based out of hub and pod accommodation, takes you through beginner to intermediate trails each morning, with a warm lunch served daily. Afternoons are yours; take another ride, or unwind with a yoga session, sauna or massage. Winter twists include canapés, lakeside campfires and stargazing sessions. The tour is all-inclusive, with bus pick-up from Launceston included. $2450 per person, June 1 to August 31, 2026

This article is produced in partnership with Tourism Tasmania. For more Off Season 2026 offers and travel inspiration, visit Discover Tasmania.