What's up, winter?
For some Tasmanians, winter is a time for hibernation or holidays to warmer parts of the world. For those of us who brave the winter, there are a surprising number of reasons to rug up, go out, and soak in Tasmania’s brightest season.
Marked by the turning of the fagus late in autumn, Tasmanian winters can turn bracingly cold. But it’s during our driest season that we can experience our thriving arts and agri-food scenes – pedigrees recognised by UNESCO naming Launceston a City of Gastronomy and Hobart a City of Literature.
The celebrations begin in the south with Winter Feast, the Festival of Voices and the Huon Valley Mid-Winter Festival, when communities come together to dance and sing. There’s fire aplenty – and whisky too – so dust off your Tassie tux, and don your scarves and beanies for a look around the island this winter.
Debaucherous Dark Mofo
While Tassie’s annual mid-winter arts and culture festival Dark Mofo is officially taking a break this year to refresh the festival’s vision, the Dark Mofo team will still bring the community together over two weekends of cultural and culinary celebration.
As artistic director Chris Twite says, “while the festival rests in 2024, the solstice does not, and we’re excited to gather once more and present two popular pillars of the Tasmanian mid-winter along with some exceptional extra events”.
This year you can expect the best local food and drinks served with a twist on the Hobart waterfront over two weekends of the Winter Feast, as well as two nights of debaucherous partying and performances as part of Night Shift. You can also jump on the ferry to Mona in Berriedale for the launch of its newest exhibition, Namedropping, which explores status and the way we think about things, and includes a signed cricket bat from the 1980s.
As usual, Dark Mofo culminates in the annual nude swim at Sandy Bay, which celebrates the return of light after the longest night of the year. This year’s event has an increased capacity but by the time you read this all places will have been allocated.
But everyone within 50km of Hobart will be embraced by the festival as Spectra, with its constant beam of light, illuminates the cold dark sky.
Credit: Jesse Hunniford
Sing it big at the Festival of Voices
Choirs around the country will soon descend on Hobart for Australia’s leading singing soiree, which has been bringing people together through song and a great big bonfire for almost 20 years.
This year’s festival will include a range of choral, contemporary and cabaret performances as well as multi-day singing and songwriting workshops for the vocally inclined.
The headline act is art-pop darling and former Australian Eurovision entrant Montaigne, set to wow audiences with their acclaimed music and powerful voice. Visiting choirs pop up in unexpected locations around Hobart city to charm and bemuse passersby. Perennial crowd favourite The Big Sing will be back for another year of heart-warming connection through song that’s big on joy and even bigger on fire.
Huon Valley’s favourite festival
Now in its 11th year and sadly drawing to a close in 2024, Willie Smith’s Mid-Winter Fest is an apple-inspired festival that celebrates age-old winter solstice traditions. This includes the burning of a giant effigy and wassailing to the good health of the old apple trees over a colourful weekend of music, dancing, storytelling and cider.
Expect to encounter the weird, the wonderful and the whimsical at this gathering that promises rollicking fun for all ages. This year’s theme is Reflections, as the festival looks back on a decade of winter memories and lights up the valley’s night skies one last time. Tickets are limited this year to maintain the ‘welcoming local vibe’ that the festival is renowned for, so don’t hesitate to get yours and soak in the solstice, Huon-style.
Credit: Kate Berry/Tourism Tasmania
Credit: Festival of Voices
Credit: Alastair Bett
Get agriCULTURED In Launceston
Celebrating Tasmania’s agri-food sector in the state’s City of Gastronomy, agriCULTURED blends art, music and farming to connect us with our food and its origins. This year’s keynote speaker is backyard garden enthusiast, author and Grow it Local co-founder Paul West, who’ll share his insights into growing, cooking and community. There’s a host of talks and masterclasses taking place over the four-day festival, and of course plenty of the state’s best food and drinks to commune over.
Celebrate Tassie’s favourite bivalve
Dig out your peacoat and captain’s hat to mark the start of scallop season at the Tassie Scallop Fiesta in Bridport in the state’s north. This little festival, just an hour’s drive from Launceston, celebrates the town’s fishing and maritime heritage with food, wine, whisky and gin masterclasses, and a whole lotta live music throughout the day.
There’s also a pie competition and a scallop-splitting challenge but, as the organisers say, “unless you’re a ridgy didge pro splitter our insurance won’t cover you for lost fingers or gashed hands”. So you can leave the shucking tools at home.
A fringe program of events includes the Mariners Muse storytelling night on 26 July as well as 40-odd stalls to explore at the Makers and Growers Market on 3 August.
Credit: Stu Gibson
Credit: Melanie Kate
Step back in time
Enjoy the big views of the state’s Midlands on a scenic drive to historical Oatlands for its annual Heritage & Bullock Festival. Taking place at Callington Park next to the historic windmill and overlooking Lake Dulverton, the festival celebrates rural heritage with displays of bullock teams and vintage machinery, and a charming old-fashioned street parade full of local characters. Many of the town’s old buildings will also be brought to life with community performances and demonstrations. Period costume is encouraged.
Take a walk or get in the tub
Tasmania is famous for its walks, but less so for winter wandering. Take advantage of low rainfall, cool temperatures and sunny days to road trip the Great Eastern Drive. There are noticeably fewer tourists at this time of year – perfect for a visit to Maria Island and its wildlife, spectacular fossil cliffs and convict-era heritage; or Freycinet with its world-class views and white sandy beaches. If you’re a bit of a sook in the cold, book a stay at Freycinet Lodge or Rocky Hills Retreat for their outdoor hot tubs, to take in your surrounds from the comfort of warm water.