When it comes to winter, Tasmania has it covered. Australia’s southernmost state is built for the cold, with many of its venues boasting fireplaces out of necessity as much as for aesthetics. If you’re looking for a winter getaway, Tasmania embraces the colder months. Pick a pub, tavern, bar or vineyard, pull up a chair next to the fire and dive into the region’s incredible pinot noirs or cleansing ales. It’s the best way to beat the winter blues.
Hobart’s pint-sized Irish pub is big on all the things that make a pub great; a laneway beer garden, 18 beers on tap and a fire that burns bright on the coldest days. You may come to New Sydney Hotel for the fire, but you’ll find the warmth abounds in the self-styled “best little pub in town.” 87 Bathurst St, Hobart; newsydneyhotel.com.au
You are spoilt for choice at The Lost Captain, which has several fireplaces inside so you don’t have to fight to get a good seat by the hearth. But we love the outdoor fireplace. The crackling flames and the local Tassie drops will warm you up from the inside out. 2-4 Short St, Huonville; lostcaptain.com.au
Head 20 minutes out of Launceston to Evandale, a small historic town that’s home to the Clarendon Arms. Grab a table near the crackling fireplace and tuck into a menu that champions local suppliers and produce. 11 Russell St, Evandale; clarendonarms.com.au
Hikers weary from the Overland Track can warm their bones beside the giant, red-brick fireplace at the Derwent Bridge Wilderness Hotel. Waiting at the Lake St Clair end of the famous track, this Central Highlands watering hole specialises in hearty pub classics created with plenty of Tassie produce, but those in-the-know order the Sri Lankan lamb curry, best enjoyed with a big red wine next to the big red hearth. 15573 Lyell Hwy, Derwent Bridge, derwentbridgewildernesshotel.com.au
In keeping with the nautical theme, the Shippie’s central fireplace used to be the boiler of an old ship. Built in 1846, this is one of Tasmania’s oldest pubs and it’s still one of the best spots to batten down the hatches during the depths of winter. 29 Trumpeter St, Battery Point; shipwrightsarms.com.au
A welcome stop-off on the way to the wild West Coast, Tullah Lakeside Lodge sprawls over a headland overlooking Lake Rosebery. Enjoy the ruggedly gorgeous views warm beside one of the multiple fireplaces inside, and try and time your visit for weekly parmi night and pair a pint with one of ten parmi, ranging from the classic to the downright creative. 56 Farrell St, Tullah; tullahlakesidelodge.com.au
For those that like a bit of history with their beer, the Hope & Anchor Hotel has been operating since 1807 and is the oldest continually licensed pub in Australia (a title it defends fiercly against another entrant on this list). The old-school interiors, complete with a fireplace in a room that wouldn’t look out of place at Nanna’s house, combined with contemporary hospitality in the heart of Hobart make this a must-visit destination pub. 65 Macquarie St, Hobart; hopeandanchorhotel.com.au
If you fancy craft beer – the 16 taps rotate daily – and gourmet burgers by the fire, Jack Greene is the place to be. The venue screams Euro beer bar and the laid bacl vibe is distinctly Australian. 49 Salamanca Pl, Hobart; pubbanc.com.au/jackgreene
When it comes to an idyllic winter getaway, this Tavern south of Hobart in the Huon Valley is hard to beat. The tavern at River Run Lodge is the perfect place to sit by the fire and enjoy a range of Tassie beers, ciders, wines and spirits. 247 Narrows Rd, Strathblane; riverrunlodge.com.au
The Bush Inn in the pretty Derwent Valley village of New Norfolk pulled its first pint back in 1815, making it one of the oldest continually running pubs in Tasmania, if not Australia. Crackling log fires warm all three bars and all the dining rooms, where schnitties and steaks dominate the menu. 49/51 Montagu St, New Norfolk; thebushinn.com.au
If you’re looking for a place to put your feet up, fireside at Fern Tree Tavern would take top spot. The cosy, country-style pub perched on the side of Mt Wellington serves mugs of the local Willie Smith’s hot mulled cider plus Tassie beers, wines, gins and whiskies. 680 Huon Rd, Fern Tree; ferntreetavern.com.au
The chalet vibes of this lodge at world-famous Cradle Mountain is driven home by copious roaring fireplaces, in rooms and in the wood-panelled surrounds of the Tavern Bar. When snow dusts the wild landscape outside, there’s plenty of spaces by the fire to go around. 4038 Cradle Mountain Rd, Cradle Mountain; cradlemountainlodge.com.au
Hobart’s waterfront MACq 01 is in an unbeatable location and the central open fire in its Lounge is a beacon for locals and visitors alike. A local stonemason crafted the fireplace with shared stories in mind. Think of it as gathering around a campfire, but in luxe surrounds. 18 Hunter St, Hobart; macq01.com.au
