Off Season Things to do in St Helens & Bay of Fires Tasmania
Photo: David Pyefinch
Tasmania’s off season has its own kind of magic, and St Helens is one of the best places to experience it. From May to August, Tasmania’s east coast slows down, the beaches grow quieter, the skies feel bigger, and winter days invite a different kind of adventure, from wood-fired saunas and local markets to seasonal food, art festivals, misty hikes, cinema nights and fireside moments by the coast.
This is the season for travellers who do not mind a little wild weather. The Bay of Fires takes on a moodier kind of beauty, with dramatic waves, fewer crowds, crisp morning walks and long evenings made for good food, live music, films and local experiences. Here are some of the best off-season things to do in St Helens and around the Bay of Fires in winter. For more year-round ideas, explore our guide to things to do in St Helens Tasmania.
Outdoor Adventures for Cooler Days
The quieter season is one of the best times to explore the wilder side of St Helens Tasmania and the surrounding northeast coast. The air is fresh, the trails are less crowded, and after rain, the landscape turns greener, richer and more atmospheric. Whether you are chasing a sunrise view, walking beneath giant trees, joining the local mountain biking community or heading into the rainforest in search of gems, winter is a reminder that outdoor adventure on the east coast does not stop when summer ends.
Photo: Tracks Less Travelled
1. Race the Comeback Race Icarus
The Comeback Race Icarus brings the local mountain biking community together for a winter race day in St Helens. Hosted by Pedal Heads on Sunday 7 June, this community race marks the return of local MTB racing in town and is a great chance to see the trails come alive outside the summer season. Riders can take part, spectators can come along to cheer, and volunteers are welcome to help marshal the event. Whether you are racing, supporting someone on the course or just keen to be part of the atmosphere, it is a fun seasonal activity for the whole community.
2. Walk the Blue Tier Big Tree Loop
For a slower outdoor adventure, the Blue Tier Big Tree Loop is a memorable walk through the rainforest with towering trees and lush fern-filled forests. It has that quiet, ancient feeling that suits Tasmania’s winter season so well. The track takes you past the impressive Blue Tier Giant and Cradle Tree, following an old water channel through the forest. Wear good shoes, expect some slippery sections after rain, and check road conditions before heading in, as the access road can be narrow and may be better suited to a 4WD.
3. Hike St Patricks Head for sunrise
For one of the most rewarding views near St Helens, make the early trip to St Patricks Head near St Marys. The walk starts gently through fern-filled forest before becoming steeper and rockier on the way to the summit, where you are rewarded with sweeping 360-degree views across the coast and surrounding mountains. It is especially memorable at sunrise or sunset, but aim for a clear day, wear proper walking shoes, and take your time on the scrambling sections near the top.
4. Go fossicking with Secret River Tours
For something a little different during your St Helens winter escape, Secret River Tours offers a unique way to explore North East Tasmania’s rugged rainforest, clear mountain streams and old tin mining history. Their gem hunting tours take you fossicking for sapphires, topaz, zircon, smoky quartz crystals and other hidden treasures, with digging and prospecting equipment provided. It is a hands-on experience for adventurous travellers who want to see a more unexpected side of the region.
Wildlife & Big Skies
The quieter season brings a wilder kind of atmosphere to Tasmania’s east coast. Around St Helens and the Bay of Fires, the ocean feels more dramatic, the evenings arrive earlier, and the sky often becomes part of the experience. It is a rewarding time for sighting whales and coastal birdlife, as well as going stargazing and experiencing those open-air moments that make the region feel so vast.
Photo: Fernando Gutierrez
5. Look for whales along the Bay of Fires
The Bay of Fires is part of Tasmania’s East Coast Whale Trail, with viewing sites stretching from The Gardens in the Bay of Fires area down to Eaglehawk Neck. From May to December, humpback and southern right whales migrate along Tasmania’s east coast, sometimes close enough to be seen from beaches and headlands. Around Binalong Bay and The Gardens, signs share local whale stories, migration information and tips for safe viewing. Bring warm layers, look for calm water, and give yourself time to watch the horizon. Whale watching in Tasmania is often about patience as much as luck.
6. Go stargazing on a clear winter night
St Helens is a memorable place to go stargazing, especially on a clear, moonless night. With low levels of light pollution and dark-sky areas across Tasmania, the stars can feel incredibly bright once you step away from streetlights. From February to October, the Milky Way’s galactic core is at its best in the Southern Hemisphere, and during the colder months you do not need to stay up late to see it. It is also a good time to watch for the Southern Lights when aurora activity is strong. Rug up, find a dark spot, and look for the Southern Cross, the Milky Way and, if conditions align, a glow on the southern horizon.
7. Watch for birdlife around St Helens Point
For a low-key nature stop close to town, St Helens Point is a great place to slow down and watch for coastal birdlife. The area is known for its sand dunes, open coastline, beach walks and bird-watching, making it an easy addition to a St Helens winter itinerary. Bring binoculars if you have them, keep an eye out for sea eagles and shorebirds, and take your time along the dunes and waterline.
Art, Culture & Winter Events
Tasmania’s east coast has a strong creative spirit, and winter is a great time to experience it. Around St Helens and the Bay of Fires, the season brings studio visits, local markets, art festivals, lantern parades, firelight and community gatherings that give the region its own winter rhythm. From meeting local makers to exploring the Bay of Fires Winter Arts Festival, this is a more intimate way to connect with the culture of northeast Tasmania.
8. Christie Lange’s ceramic studio
For a creative stop near St Helens, step inside Christie Lange Ceramics and experience the east coast through the hands of a local artist. Her studio visit offers a glimpse into the world behind each piece, from the raw materials and working space to the stories, techniques and inspiration that shape her ceramics. There is also a chance to play with clay, ask questions and browse the gallery, making it a thoughtful, hands-on way to connect with local art beyond the usual gallery wall.
9. Explore the Bay of Fires Winter Arts Festival
Held around St Helens over the June long weekend, with the main exhibition at the Panorama Hotel, the Bay of Fires Winter Arts Festival brings a creative spark to Tasmania’s quieter season. The festival is best known for the Bay of Fires Art Prize, with finalists exhibited publicly and the winner announced at the gala opening, but there is much more to explore across the weekend. Expect local artists, open studios, artisan wares, youth art, sand sculpture, and the much-loved Dawn Dash N Splash at Binalong Bay. It is one of the most distinctive winter events in St Helens, bringing together art, community and a little cold-water courage.
10. Visit the Twilight Market on the last Friday of each month
On the last Friday of each month, the Twilight Market turns an ordinary evening in St Helens into something more festive. From 4pm, local makers, artisans, musicians and food vendors from across Tasmania come together for a free community evening with good food, drinks, kids’ activities and firepit marshmallows. This July marks one year of the market being part of the St Helens community, so rug up, wander through the stalls and enjoy a local market night in the heart of town.
11. Visit the St Marys Winter Lights Festival
A short drive inland from St Helens, the St Marys Winter Lights Festival brings fire, light and seasonal atmosphere to the colder part of the year. Held at the St Marys Recreation Ground on Saturday 20 June, the day begins with a lantern-making workshop, before the main gates open at 4pm. From there, expect live music, food trucks, mulled wine, fire sculpture, bonfire lighting and a lantern parade. Entry is by donation at the gate, making it an easy winter evening trip from St Helens.
Wellness & Slow Travel Experiences
Winter on Tasmania’s east coast is a good time to slow the pace and choose experiences that feel restorative. Around St Helens and the Bay of Fires, wellness can look like a fire ritual, a grounding yoga practice, a wood-fired sauna, an ocean plunge, nourishing food or a weekend built around rest. These slower travel experiences bring warmth and intention to a St Helens winter escape.
Photo: Jenna Aguis
12. Book a Winter Solstice Retreat
This year, the east coast has a special seasonal experience for anyone wanting to treat themselves to a slower winter reset. The Winter Solstice Retreat runs from 19–21 June, led by local yogis Jess and Pam at the beautiful Bay of Fires Bush Retreat. Centred around the longest night of the year, it brings together fire ritual, ocean air, grounding yoga, guided meditation, journaling and nourishing winter meals. A calm, meaningful way to embrace the off season.
13. Reset with a Wood-Fired Sauna at Scamander Sanctuary Park
For a warm, grounding ritual near St Helens, book a private session at Scamander Bathhouse located within Scamander Sanctuary Holiday Park. The experience pairs a custom-built wood-fired sauna with an ice bath, making it a refreshing reset after a beach walk, hike or day exploring Tasmania’s east coast. Bring your towel, swimwear and water bottle, then settle into a simple, restorative experience made for the winter season.
14. Stay at Bay of Fires Bush Retreat for a fireside winter escape
Some winter weekends are made for staying close to the fire, and the Fireside Feast Weekend at Bay of Fires Bush Retreat is built around exactly that. Returning from 29–31 May 2026, this intimate east coast escape brings together open-fire cooking, local Tasmanian produce, beautiful wines and the bush retreat atmosphere guests love. With Season & Fire creating bold seasonal dishes over the flames and local winemaker Claudio Radenti of Freycinet Vineyard sharing wines and stories from the vineyard, it is a full weekend shaped by food, fire, wine and downtime on the east coast.
Where to Stay Near St Helens and Bay of Fires
The east coast offers a little bit of everything when it comes to accommodation, from free camping and simple stays to something more comfortable for a winter escape. You can sleep close to the beach in Binalong Bay, wake up among gum trees in Scamander, or stay near St Helens for easy access to food, events and local attractions. Whether you are travelling solo, as a couple, with family or in a group, there is something for every kind of off-season stay.
Photo: Jenna Aguis
15. Stay by the beach in Binalong Bay
For families or groups, Binalong Bay Beach House offers a more elevated way to stay by the coast. Set close to one of Australia’s most beautiful stretches of shoreline, the home has a refined beach-house feel, generous spaces and sweeping views across Binalong Bay towards Eddystone Point. In the off season, the setting feels even more special, quiet mornings by the water, easy beach access and the rare feeling of having more of the Bay of Fires coastline to yourself. Winter stays also include thoughtful extras like free EV charging and free movie tickets, making it easy to balance beach time with a night out in town.
16. Stay among the gum trees in Scamander
For couples, Cntnr 2.0 offers a quieter kind of east coast escape in Scamander. Set among gum trees and overlooking the Scamander River, it feels peaceful, private and close to nature. With its mix of modern design, playful character and lush Tasmanian bushland, this converted container has been transformed into a little east coast bush oasis. Settle in, switch off and sink into the outdoor pink bath while winter wildlife moves through the trees.
Where to Eat in St Helens During the Off Season
Winter dining in St Helens is all about warmth, flavour and local character. Around town, you can settle in for wood-fired pizza and Tasmanian wine, a generous bowl of ramen, or Thai dishes bright enough to lift a grey afternoon. These local restaurants and eateries bring comfort in different ways, through fire, spice, broth, fresh ingredients and menus made with care.
17. The Grapevine
A local favourite in St Helens, The Grapevine is the kind of place that suits a cooler evening beautifully. This family-owned café and restaurant makes its pizza dough in house each day, pairing it with fresh toppings and locally sourced ingredients before cooking everything in a wood-fired oven. The result is simple, generous and full of flavour, crisp bases, smoky edges and the comfort of a meal made with care. Add a glass of Tasmanian wine or a local beer, and it becomes exactly the kind of slow, satisfying meal you want after a day exploring the coast.
18. Azuki Japanese Fusion
Azuki brings something a little different to the St Helens food scene, with Japanese-inspired dishes that feel both fresh and comforting. The menu changes every few days, so there is always something new to try, from dumplings and sushi to beef curry, takoyaki and miso butter ramen. In winter, the ramen is a standout, warm, generous and full of flavour, with options often rotating between chicken, pork, seafood and vegetarian. It is an easy favourite for a cosy dine-in meal or a really good takeaway night.
19. Bangkok Tide Thai Eatery
Bangkok Tide Thai Eatery brings colour, spice and warmth to St Helens through authentic Thai flavours made fresh on site. The menu is inspired by traditional recipes and shaped with quality local ingredients, supporting nearby suppliers wherever possible. From rich curries and stir-fries to comforting bowls of tom yum soup on the winter menu, it is a lovely reminder that cold-weather food does not have to be heavy, it can be bright, fragrant and full of life.
Cinema & Rainy Day Activities in St Helens
Not every off-season plan needs hiking boots or a rain jacket. Sometimes the best way to spend a colder day is to head indoors, grab a drink, and settle in for a movie. As the only cinema on Tasmania’s east coast, Easy Tiger gives visitors and locals a warm, central option when the weather calls for an indoor plan.
20. Watch a movie at Easy Tiger
When the weather calls for an indoor plan, Easy Tiger Cinema brings the big screen to St Helens. The licensed boutique cinema has something for every kind of moviegoer, from family-friendly films and new releases to classics, arthouse picks and adventure screenings. Add a beer brewed on site, and it becomes one of the best ways to spend a winter afternoon or evening in town.
A good winter trip to St Helens is all about balance: a little adventure, a little warmth, a little local flavour and enough time to let the weather change your plans. Choose one or two things you really want to do, then leave room for the extras, a longer lunch, a last-minute film, a clear night sky, or a stop you only noticed on the drive.
For movies, local events, markets and food in town, check What’s On at Easy Tiger before your visit.