The ultimate winter travel guide to Hobart

What's happening in Hobart during the off season? A lot, we can assure you.In just a short three-day trip, I was immersed in the most brilliant experiences Tasmania has to offer during winter.From eating garden-grown food and drinking the finest liqueurs, to getting "my spa on" in a sauna boat. Euro Summer 2024, move aside – Tassie is serving up a holiday you just can't pass up.Watch the video above.READ MORE: Six unlikely destinations young travellers are flocking toHow to get thereQantas' new Melbourne to Hobart flight path has made the journey there easier than ever. As such, our trip to Hobart started in style, flying on the brand new QantasLink A220.Named Minyma Kutjara Tjukurpa, the aircraft is adorned with a striking green Indigenous design instead of the typical red tail. The design, by senior Pitjantjatjara artist Maringka Baker, depicts the Dreaming story of two sisters who traverse remote Australia together, covering vast distances to find their way home.It's an added poetic touch, given the aircraft generates 25 per cent fewer emissions than the previous generation of A220s. The business class experience offers plush, cavernous seats equipped with Bluetooth charging and enough legroom to fit the 200cm-tall gentleman sitting next to me. The meal service was also delicious, serving up restaurant-quality eggs, bacon, and sautéed veggies.QantasLink's A220 can seat up to 137 passengers, with 10 in business class and 127 in economy. This new addition to Qantas' fleet is now flying 26 times weekly.Things to doGrandvewe Cheeses and Hartshorn DistilleryWhen you think of a typical sheep farm, cheese and milk are probably the first things that come to mind. At Hartshorn Distillery, Diane's family business has something different in store for you: gin!Located only 40 minutes south of Hobart, Hartshorn Distillery is transforming sheep milk by extracting whey from the lactose enzymes and using it to handcraft spirits like gin and vodka. And you can make (and drink) your own personalised Sheep Whey Gin to take home. We sniffed and tasted 30 ingredients ranging from cardamom to apple to liquorice as part of the Winter Alchemy Experience. Diane stressed the importance of this being a true individual experience, and not to overthink what others might like the taste of. Expressing myself through taste was liberating.The experience ended with a 500ml bottle of my personalised Whey Gin to take home. I was very happy with my final product, a citrus-based gin with notes of rosehip and strawberry. Pure liquid happiness.Hot tip: Add orange peel to your Gin for a muted sweetness to send the taste buds dancing!READ MORE: Would you use an AI travel agent to book your next holiday?Garden tour and lunch at The Agrarian KitchenLocated 30 minutes from the city, the property is a restored psychiatric hospital. Co-founder Rodney Dunn explained regenerative agriculture and sustainability is the driving force behind their work. The garden is the heart of The Agrarian Kitchen. Located in the old exercise ground of the psychiatric hospital, it is the source of every ingredient used in the restaurant and cooking school.For lunch, we were treated to a spiced pork sausage served with creamy polenta mash, fresh pickles, lentils, and a rustic garden salad. For dessert, we had a cake and gelato made from vegetables like sweet potato and parsnip, sourced from their garden. READ MORE: These are the Paris hotels with the best views right from your bedroomTasting and tour at Lark Distillery PontvilleSituated in the beautiful valley of Pontville and nestled among historical buildings, Lark Distillery offers a whisky experience like no other. This iconic distillery is not just the home of Australia's oldest and most innovative single malt whisky; it boasts Tasmania's only working whisky village.We sampled a range of Lark's finest offerings, starting with the Classic Cask Single Malt - so distinguished, it's now served in Qantas International's premium cabins. My personal favourite was the Chinotto Citrus Cask. Another standout was the Tasmanian Peated whisky, a smoky, chocolatey delight infused with roasted coffee notes. Lark Distillery's unique post-malting smoking process, using their own peat bog, gives their peated whiskies a complexity like no other. Relax at Kuuma Nature SaunaImagine blending the ancient tradition of sauna therapy with the serene beauty of open water. Kuuma Nature Sauna has done just that. Situated just 20 minutes south of Hobart at Margate Marina in Barretta, this sauna boat promises an unique escape into nature during the off season. The pontoon itself is a marvel, floating gracefully on 19 pontoons and crafted entirely from Australian timber. The wood-fired heater, imported from Finland, ensures an authentic sauna experience, heating the space up to a toasty 100 degrees Celsius.Anchored in the quiet bay, the sauna provided a perfect contrast to the crisp 5-degree air and refreshing 9-degree ocean water. The interplay of temperatures were energising and the experience allowed for relaxation and invigoration alike. Whether you're a sauna enthusiast or a first-timer, this unique floating sanctuary promises a revitalising escape. Hot tip: Take a cold plunge before your first sauna session to get the blood pumping and to fully appreciate the steamy sauna experience!Where to stayThe Tasman Hobart feels like stepping back in time. My stay was in the heritage suite of the original 1840s building. The room blended historical charm with contemporary comfort – high ceilings and semi-carpeted floors creating a cosy winter retreat. I felt right at home in this suite with amenities like a smart TV, coffee machine, and fireplace.Onsite, dinner at Peppina was a highlight. This trattoria-style restaurant serving authentic Italian cuisine is a true gem in Hobart. The open layout of the restaurant and kitchen meant you could watch the chefs craft every dish.The banquet-style dinner featured starters like Pizza Fritta with whipped buffalo ricotta, Crudo with raw fish and citrus dressing, and baked scallops. To die for. Mains like Paccheri Aqua Pazza with Southern Rock Lobster and Agnello with market lamb were just as impressive. A cabbage salad complemented the mains, and Tiramisu capped off the perfect meal.The writer travelled as a guest of Qantas and Tourism Tasmania.