The top five reasons to love Tasmania in winter

WHILE the darkness and cold may scare some away, winter in Tasmania is a time to play.

WHILE the darkness and cold may scare some away, winter in Tasmania is a time to play. We’ve put together a list of the top five reasons Tasmania is an ideal spot to make the most of winter.

Bass Linden, of Lindisfarne, makes the most of the Ben Lomond snow.

1.THE MOUNTAINS

TASMANIA has eight mountains above 1500m and this means most residents have a snowy wonderland to explore not far from home.

While Mt Wellington/kunanyi, Cradle Mountain and the Hartz Mountain Ranges are known for their bushwalks, accessibility and (for the very brave) nuddy runs, Ben Lomond in the state’s north and Mt Mawson in the south offer ski fields for the even more adventurous (and suitably dressed!)

Mountains also bring joy to those remaining at sea level with Coles Bay’s Hazards a favourite with winter hibernators who prefer to bathe in the warmth of a fire.

While Tasmania doesn’t receive a higher level of snow than interstate, we are the first to cop the Antarctic winds and our capital city lies at the bottom of a mountain.

Dark Mofo’s Winter Feast is popular with locals and visitors alike.

2.THE FESTIVALS

TASMANIA is so dark and cold there are festivals to celebrate it.

The Dark Mofo festival in mid-June celebrates the Tassie winter solstice and encourages visitors to come together to eat, drink and dance away the dark.

Kicking off on June 12, Dark Mofo attracts more than 130,000 visitors over 10 days and showcases 250 events of local and international art, food, film, music, light and noise.

The Winter Feast on the waterfront (June 17-21) is a focal point of the event and will run for an extended five days this year, accompanied by a late-night ceremonial death dance event called Blacklist, to be held at a currently undisclosed location.

Dark Mofo isn’t the only festival that brightens up the city during this dark time with the Festival of Voices kicking off on July 12 and taking events to Launceston for the first time from July 14.

The Huon Valley Mid-Winter Fest, held at the Apple Shed museum and cider house, will keep those down south warm for three days from July 17; and the Chocolate Winterfest brings a bit of Belgium to Tasmania in Latrobe from August 9.

3.THE WHISKY

Tasmanian whisky is sought-after world-wide.

TASMANIA not only puts on a party during winter, it provides the drinks as well.

Locally-made whisky warms bellies worldwide, starting with our own.

Fields of barley, an abundance of wonderfully pure soft water and highland peat bogs have provided ideal brewing conditions for the beloved elixir and a range of different blends are now brewed at 11 distilleries across the state.

Tasmania Distillery, which produces Sullivan’s Cove Whisky, won the Icons of Whisky Craft Distiller of the Year award at this year’s World Whisky awards in London, and “godfather” of Australian whisky Tassie’s own Bill Lark was inducted in to world’s Whisky Hall of Fame – only the seventh person outside of Scotland or Ireland to be given the coveted award.

Tasmanian whisky is enjoyed by people in all corners of the globe, but for people like actress Margot Robbie, who had to film a scene in a cold Tasmanian river for Z for Zachariah (2015), the beverage is best enjoyed as a cure-all for the symptoms of winter.

Salamanca Market attracts crowds year-round, but is easier to navigate in winter. Picture: SAM ROSEWARNE

4.THE SALAMANCA WINTER MARKETS

WALKING down an aisle of the Salamanca Market can be a dedicated mission during the busy season of summer, but in winter you can roam freely and enjoy some of Tassie’s best produce, arts, crafts and music at your own pace.

While the winter markets can test the endurance of stallholders, on a cold, windy day a number of stalls are set up exclusively for the winter markets and serve up winter-focused produce and wares.

This year the Salamanca Markets will run adjacent to the Dark Mofo Hothouse – a large bamboo structure that will house innovative discussion during the 10-day festival.

A black puffer jacket is almost uniform in Tasmania in winter. Picture: SAM ROSEWARNE

5.THE FASHIONS

WITH temperatures averaging a maximum of 11C, Tassie may be dry but it’s cold and in winter many find themselves developing a second skin made of polyester, nylon and goose feathers.

Puffy feather-down jackets are a staple for Tasmanians and are considered more of a local uniform than a choice of dress during the cooler months.

While we all grow tired of looking in the mirror and seeing the Michelin man painted black staring back at us, winter is an excuse to be forgiven for fashion faux pas like wearing the same outfit as your partner, or sporting Ugg boots at the supermarket.