7 outdoor adventures to have in Tasmania

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Where to go and what to do in Tasmania when you want to get really wild.

Outdoor adventure lovers have long flocked to Tasmania for its rugged landscapes, wild food, adrenaline-filled hikes and out-of-the-box festivals.

 

But for those who are yet to hit our great southern state, and are keen to unleash their thrill-seeker, here’s your ultimate guide to all things adventure.

1. Dark Mofo festival

Hobart’s mid-winter Dark Mofo festival is a culmination of all the wildest spirits from Australia and around the world, packed with visual and aural delights.

 

This year, outdoor adventurers flocked to the Dark Path, which became THE place for exploring the artistic installations and curiosities that surround the festival.

 

Highlights included the Talisker Wilderness Bar, where you could indulge in a warming seaside experience, taking the opportunity to cosy up in front of the fire with a warming hot toddy in hand.

 

And if you attended the festival’s last weekend, we hope you finished it the way God (and the organisers) intended: naked. Yep, held on Long Beach on the Derwent River, the annual Nude Solstice Swim is the most memorable way to cap off your Dark Mofo experience.

All Dark MOFO experiences are memorable
Watch as Hobart becomes one surreal sensory experience

2. Satellite Island

Ever dreamt on staying on your very own private oasis? If your answer is yes, now is the time to head to Tasmania’s delightfully isolated and luxurious Satellite Island.

 

Once a home to a reclusive poet and writer, it is now on offer as a dreamy coastal-luxe waterside retreat that sleeps up to eight guests.

 

Adventure seekers can take on the 1.5-hour walk along Satellite Island’s ancient Rock Shelf, immersing themselves in the location’s rugged landscape. Then, light a fire on the pebble beach, enjoy the sunset with a dram of whisky and watch the wild seals play.

The alluring gloom of Satellite Island

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3. Pennicott Wilderness Journeys

A trip aboard a Pennicott Wilderness Journeys boat is a must-do not only for adventure lovers but for just about anyone.

 

The Tasmanian Seafood Seduction tour voyages down the Derwent River. Along the journey, your guides will gift you with knowledge of its wildlife, scenery and deserted beaches. However, it’s when you dock that things get really memorable.

 

Not only will you be treated to some of the most incredible seafood in the world, but it will be prepared before your very eyes. Part of the experience will see your guide literally jump in the ocean and snorkel to catch your meal. Talk about farm to table.

A Pennicott Wilderness Journey is as famous as Hobart itself

4. Get Shucked on Bruny Island

When Joe Bennett took a punt on an oyster farm on Tasmania’s Bruny Island (40 kilometres south of Hobart) he couldn’t have predicted how his pristine product would take off. Cultivating Pacific oysters, Get Shucked has been a real Bruny success story and a trip to Tasmania isn’t complete without a taste of its famous morsel.

 

Those in the know recommend engaging in the Talisker oyster ritual, which involves taking a sip of whisky, eating the oyster, then pouring a little whisky into the vacant oyster shell. The whisky gathers up the last of the briny seawater, creating an all-important cocktail of flavours. Thank us later.

Indulge in a Talisker oyster ritual

5. Aurora Australis on Seven Mile Beach

The Northern Lights get all the love when it comes to natural light phenomena but did you know Australia has its own light show – the Aurora Australis?

 

Wanderers seeking a glimpse of the ‘Southern Light’ phenomenon should head to the South Arm Peninsula, 40 kilometres south-east of Hobart.

 

The area is surrounded by beaches with still, wide shallow bays: perfect conditions for capturing reflection shots with waves crashing in the foreground.

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6. Walk the Overland Track

With a route of 65 kilometres tackled over six days, the Overland Track is the country’s superstar trek.

 

The trail is strictly managed on account of its popularity, so visitors will have to book in advance and pay a track fee to Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service.

 

In the walking season from October to May, make your way from the base of Cradle Mountain to Lake St Clair passing through ancient rainforests, glacial valleys, meadows and a dramatic skyline of peaks.

 

This World Heritage area is stunning and encompasses many of the highest peaks in Tasmania. No one returns unchanged.

Walk the overland track

7. Kayak through Coles Bay

With a permanent population of just a few hundred, you’re sure to find enough room to explore Coles Bay at your own pace.

 

Pink granite mountains and dense bushland surround the bay, which makes the view from the water amazing, and sea kayaking is one of the best (and most adventurous) activities on offer here.

 

Watch out for a welcoming pod of dolphins while on the water, or the whales that pass by here on their migration north from Antarctica.

Explore Coles Bay at your own pace
Want to explore more of Tasmania? Here is our ultimate travel guide on the best stays, eats and experiences you can have in Tasmania.

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What to expect from the Tamar Valley’s newly renovated cellar door

    Angela Saurine Angela Saurine
    Overlooking the winding Tamar River, the Tamar Ridge & PIRIE Cellar Door is where two of Tasmania’s most acclaimed wine labels come together. Sip award-winning cool-climate wines and world-class sparkling while soaking up the vineyard views in one spectacular setting.

    The fire crackles softly as you settle into a comfortable armchair, a glass of Tamar Ridge Reserve Pinot Noir warming your hands. Outside, rows of vines stretch across the Tamar Valley, their gentle contours framed by rolling hills and ever-changing skies. Or perhaps it’s a sunlit afternoon, and you’re on the terrace with a flute of PIRIE Vintage sparkling in hand, watching the valley shimmer beneath you as each crisp sip captures the freshness of Tasmania. At the Tamar Ridge and PIRIE Cellar Door, the setting in one of Australia’s most celebrated cool-climate wine regions is every bit as special as the wines.

    The two brands now share a beautifully refurbished cellar door, giving visitors the opportunity to sample both still and sparkling wines from the Brown Family Wine Group’s luxury portfolio in a single stop. Alongside the shared tasting space, they’ve also introduced a range of premium experiences tailored to each brand.

    Tamar Ridge’s story began in 1994, when vines were planted at Kayena in Tasmania’s Upper Tamar Valley. Guided by renowned viticulturist Dr Richard Smart – the “Flying Vine Doctor” – the vineyard quickly gained a reputation for quality, with a new winery established in 1998 and the Tamar Ridge label born.

    sitting on the lawn of Tamar Ridge & Pirie Cellar Door
    Sit outside to soak in the sun as you enjoy Tamar Valley views. (Credit: Natasha Mulhall)

    Today, New Zealand-born head winemaker Tom Wallace leads the cellar, brings his passion for cool-climate winemaking to help shape Tamar Ridge’s reputation for elegant, expressive wines.

    Founded by Dr Andrew Pirie in 1995, PIRIE helped prove the island’s potential for world-class cool-climate sparkling.

    Crafted in the traditional method from hand-picked Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grown in the Valley, PIRIE Tasmania sparkling wines are celebrated for their fine beads, depth and elegance. With a collection of trophies, gold medals and top honours behind them, these rare vintages showcase the very best of the state’s sparkling wine.

    Brown Brothers – now known as the Brown Family Wine Group – acquired Tamar Ridge, PIRIE and Devil’s Corner on the island’s east coast in 2010, extending the legacy of a family wine company founded in 1889 at Milawa in Victoria’s King Valley. The company has continued its pursuit of exceptional cool-climate vineyards, recognising Tasmania’s unique potential in a changing climate.

    Location

    roaring fireplace inside Tamar Ridge & Pirie Cellar Door tamar valley
    Get cosy by the roaring fireplace. (Credit: Natasha Mulhall)

    Tamar Ridge & PIRIE Cellar Door is set on the west bank of the Tamar River, just 20 minutes north of Launceston and around two and a half hours’ drive from Hobart near the riverside village of Rosevears in northern Tasmania. Stretching more than 60 kilometres along the river, from the mouth near Launceston north towards Bass Strait, the Valley is a vast patchwork of vineyards, orchards, farmland and historic townships.

    Style & decor

    interior of Tamar Ridge & Pirie Cellar Door tamar valley
    Come for a regular tasting, or book an experience. (Credit: Natasha Mulhall)

    Floor-to-ceiling windows showcase panoramic views, while outdoor decks make the most of the surrounding scenery. Inside, the refined contemporary interiors strike a balance between modern luxury and the natural surrounds, with a double-sided fireplace to linger by. A Tamar River view creates a warm focal point. Natural wood accents add a sense of place, including a handcrafted 12-seat Tasmanian oak table that anchors the space with understated elegance.

    Wine experiences

    The cellar door’s curated wine experiences pair award-winning wines with local produce and the stories behind them. For those who prefer a leisurely visit without a set itinerary, the cellar door also offers cheese platters and small plates, best enjoyed with a glass in hand while taking in those Tamar River views.

    Come for a taste, stay for an experience.

    PIRIE & Oyster Experience

    PIRIE & Oyster Experience
    Taste the best of PIRIE matched with oysters. (Credit: Natasha Mulhall)

    A true taste of Tasmania comes to life in the PIRIE & Oyster Experience, created in partnership with Tasmanian Oyster Co. Exploring the connection between merroir and terroir – the influence of the sea and soil on flavour – this guided tasting pairs three premium oysters from different Tasmanian growing regions with three expressions of PIRIE sparkling wine: the NV, 2021 Vintage and Blanc de Blanc.

    As each oyster and wine pairing is revealed, guests discover how Tasmania’s unique landscapes shape flavour, from the mineral freshness of the ocean to the elegance and precision of cool-climate sparkling wine.

    Pinot Noir Blending Experience

    Pinot Noir Blending Experience
    Try your own hand at mixing. (Credit: Natasha Mulhall)

    For those who want to step behind the winemaker’s bench, the Pinot Noir Blending Experience offers a hands-on journey into the art of creating great wine.

    Guests taste through three to four individual Pinot Noir clones from the previous vintage, each revealing its own personality through aroma, structure and character. Guided by the cellar door team, visitors explore how these individual components come together to create balance and complexity – before attempting their own blend.

    Will you recreate the house style, or create something entirely original? This immersive experience offers a fascinating insight into the craft, creativity and precision that goes into every bottle.

    Supreme Indulgence

    Tamar Ridge & PIRIE Cellar Door
    Settle in for true indulgene. (Credit: Natasha Mulhall)

    The most elevated experience at the cellar door, the Supreme Indulgence (PIRIE Sparkling with Caviar tasting) is a celebration of luxury, refinement and Tasmania’s exceptional produce.

    Priced at $99 per person, the tasting pairs PIRIE Tasmania’s most distinguished sparkling wines with carefully selected sturgeon caviar, chosen to enhance the elegance, texture and finesse of each cuvée. Hosted by an expert member of the team, the experience unfolds as a thoughtful exploration of fine bubbles, delicate flavours and the craftsmanship behind every bottle.

    Start planning at tamarridge.com.au and pirietasmania.com.au.