Perks, Parties and Free Rides

Mainland travellers looking for a winter escape with edge, atmosphere and serious value should look south—Tasmania is turning up the heat with a string of bold incentives and events designed to lure visitors across Bass Strait.

The island state is offering free car fares on the Spirit of Tasmania this winter, thanks to a $6 million subsidy aimed at getting more visitors to bring their vehicles and explore Tasmania’s wild landscapes, gourmet regions and cosy small towns at their own pace. That alone makes a Tasmanian road trip more accessible than ever.

But the offers don’t stop there. While Tasmanians are being offered 100,000 $100 vouchers to spend on local experiences from July to October, travellers from the mainland can still cash in on the broader winter campaign, with tourism operators providing special deals and extras across accommodation, food and activities. Visitors booking direct with local businesses are likely to see the best value, particularly outside the main cities.

And if you’re heading to Tasmania in June, you’re in for something truly unforgettable. After a year’s hiatus, Dark Mofo returns to Hobart from 5–15 + 21 June 2025, bringing with it a celebration of art, fire, music and midwinter ritual that transforms the city into something otherworldly. From the massive Winter Feast to the eerie Ogoh-Ogoh burning, the all-night Night Mass parties to the famed Nude Solstice Swim, Dark Mofo is Tasmania at its most raw and radical.

Festivalgoers can stay in style or on a budget, thanks to Accor Pacific, which has been named the Official Accommodation Partner for 2025.
With nine hotels in Hobart and Launceston—including Mövenpick, Peppers, Mantra and ibis Styles—rates start from $201 in Hobart and $199 in Launceston. Bookings are available now via all.accor.com/darkmofo, and guests can earn points through Accor’s ALL loyalty programme.

From fire-lit festivals in June to off-peak travel deals in July, Tasmania is inviting mainlanders to ditch the same-old beach breaks and experience a winter like no other—dramatic, delicious, and deeply memorable.