Tasmania in winter is one of the most under-rated travel experiences in Australia. The cold is real but the rewards are real too — fewer crowds, dramatic landscapes, cosy accommodation, the Dark Mofo period if you time it right. Here is a practical seven-day Tasmania winter road trip itinerary based on the trip I did in July 2025 and the planning for the one I am doing this winter.

Day 1: Hobart arrival.

Fly into Hobart in the morning. Pick up the car at the airport. Aim for a four-wheel-drive or at least an AWD vehicle — the mountain roads can have snow and ice through July and August and a 2WD hire car is not always adequate. Most major hire companies have AWD options at a modest premium.

Spend the afternoon in Hobart proper. Salamanca Place is quieter on a winter weekday than on a summer Saturday — and arguably more interesting. The food and drink scene is more accessible in winter when you are not competing for tables.

Stay in Hobart for the first night. The Henry Jones Art Hotel is the iconic accommodation choice. The MACq 01 Hotel is the storytelling-themed alternative. Both are excellent and both run reasonable winter rates.

Day 2: MONA day.

The Museum of Old and New Art is a full day. Take the ferry from Brooke Street Pier — the ferry experience is part of the MONA visit and the alternative of driving is much less interesting. Allow at least four hours inside the museum and another hour at the cafes, the wine bar, or the restaurant.

The winter exhibitions at MONA are typically more substantive than the summer rotations. If your trip overlaps with Dark Mofo (typically late June into early July), the programming around the museum is the main reason to be in Hobart at that time of year.

Return to Hobart in the evening. Dinner at one of the established Hobart restaurants. The booking is much easier in winter than in summer.

Day 3: Hobart to Port Arthur.

Morning drive from Hobart down the Tasman Peninsula to Port Arthur. The drive takes about ninety minutes if you go directly, longer with stops. Recommended stops along the way: Tasman Arch and Devils Kitchen near Eaglehawk Neck, the Tessellated Pavement for the geological curiosity, and the lookout at Pirates Bay.

Port Arthur Historic Site itself is the main destination. The site is grim — the convict history is real and is treated with appropriate seriousness — but it is one of the genuinely important historical sites in Australia. Allow three to four hours. The site cafe is fine for a midday meal.

The optional add-on is the Isle of the Dead tour, which is a short ferry trip to the cemetery island and is worth doing if the weather cooperates.

Stay overnight at one of the Port Arthur accommodation options. The Stewarts Bay Lodge is the established option. The smaller B&B options in the area are also good in the off-season.

Day 4: Port Arthur to Freycinet Peninsula.

The drive from Port Arthur to Coles Bay at Freycinet takes about three and a half hours. The most direct route goes through Sorell and up the east coast through Triabunna and Swansea. The longer scenic route goes through the Tasman Highway and is worth the extra time if the weather is good.

Stop at Maria Island ferry departure point at Triabunna if you want to add a day trip — Maria Island is excellent in winter when the wildlife is much more visible than in summer.

The Coles Bay accommodation options range from the Freycinet Lodge (the established choice, inside the national park) to the smaller B&Bs in the village. Both options are good and both have winter pricing.

Day 5: Wineglass Bay walk.

The Wineglass Bay walk is the iconic Freycinet experience. The lookout walk is about ninety minutes return and gives the postcard view. The full walk down to the beach and back is about four hours and is the proper experience.

Winter conditions on the walk: the track is fine but it can be wet and slippery in places. Solid footwear is essential. The weather can change quickly on the peninsula — bring a waterproof shell and a warm layer even on a sunny morning.

The beach itself in winter is mostly empty, which is the whole point of doing this in the off-season. The contrast between the white sand and the dark winter sea is striking.

Afternoon options: the Cape Tourville lighthouse walk for an easier walk with great views, or the Friendly Beaches for a long quiet beach walk.

Stay another night at Coles Bay.

Day 6: Freycinet to Cradle Mountain.

The cross-island drive from Freycinet to Cradle Mountain takes about five hours if you go directly. The road conditions through the central highlands can be challenging in winter — snow and ice are common through July and August. Check road conditions before departure.

If the road conditions are difficult, the alternative is to overnight in Launceston on the way and split the drive across two days. Launceston in winter is a perfectly pleasant overnight stop and the city is interesting enough to justify a half-day visit.

The arrival at Cradle Mountain is one of the great moments of an Australian travel experience. The Cradle Mountain Lodge is the iconic accommodation. The Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge is the alternative. Both are excellent.

Day 7: Cradle Mountain.

The full day for Cradle Mountain. The shorter Dove Lake circuit walk is about two hours and gives the classic Cradle Mountain views. The full Cradle Mountain summit walk is a serious undertaking and should only be attempted in winter with appropriate experience, equipment, and weather conditions.

Other winter options: the Enchanted Walk is gentle and beautiful. The Crater Lake walk is moderate and rewarding. The visitor centre exhibits are worth a look if the weather is unkind.

The wildlife viewing in winter at Cradle Mountain is excellent. Wombats are commonly visible. Pademelons and wallabies are everywhere. Echidnas appear regularly.

Stay overnight at Cradle Mountain.

Day 8: Drive back to Hobart.

The drive from Cradle Mountain back to Hobart takes about four hours. The route through the central highlands via Sheffield, Deloraine, Bothwell, and back to Hobart is the scenic option. The route through Launceston and the Midland Highway is the faster option.

Aim to be back at Hobart Airport for an afternoon or evening flight home.

Practical notes on winter travel in Tasmania.

Weather and clothing. The Tasmanian winter weather varies dramatically by location. Hobart is typically 5–12°C with rain. The central highlands can be -5 to 5°C with snow. The east coast is milder. Pack layered clothing including a waterproof shell, a warm mid-layer, thermals, beanie, and gloves. Solid waterproof footwear is essential.

Road conditions. Carry chains for the AWD vehicle in case of unexpected snow on the highland roads. Drive cautiously, particularly on the cross-island roads in the early morning when ice is most likely.

Accommodation. Book at least three to four weeks in advance for popular options. The accommodation in Tasmania remains in modest supply in many destinations and winter is busier than people expect.

Food. The Tasmanian food and wine scene is at its best in the colder months when the producers are not stretched thin by peak season volume. The smaller restaurants and producers are more accessible than they are in summer.

Tasmania in winter is a different country from Tasmania in summer. The crowds are gone. The light is different. The food is better. The accommodation is more relaxed. For travellers who can handle a bit of cold, it is the better time to be in Tasmania.