What do goat raves, devil babysitting, and floating saunas all have in common? They’re all part of Tasmania’s Winternships, and applications are now open for one of the coolest (literally) travel gigs in Australia. Tourism Tasmania is calling on adventurers, odd-job enthusiasts, and anyone who’s ever dreamed of escaping the winter blues to head south and embrace the cold like a true Tasmanian. Why? Because apparently, most Aussies aren’t big fans of winter. In fact, only 1 in 3 consider themselves “winter people”, and Tassie is here to change that.
What’s a Winternship
This year, ten lucky Australians will score an all-expenses-paid trip to Tasmania, where they’ll spend their days doing wonderfully weird winter jobs, from defrosting chairlifts to foraging coastal fragrances, helping tiny lambs find their footing or curating mushrooms in a secret underground tunnel. And yes, you really can babysit Tasmanian devils. Comedian Celia Pacquola took one for a test drive and came out a full-blown winter person. “Winter usually involves a bit of hibernation, but Tasmania goes off in the off-season” she said. “Who knew Tasmanian devils needed babysitting? Less chicken nuggets, more crushed bones.”
Here’s a taste of the Winternships on offer
- Devil Sitter @ Devils@Cradle – Trade nappies for nocturnal screeches while helping look after Tassie’s most mischievous locals.
- Sauna Skipper @ Kuuma Nature Sauna – Keep the floating sauna warm, then plunge into icy North West Bay like the winter warrior you are.
- Goat Doofer @ Hideaway Farmlet – Throw a mini music festival. For goats. In Penguin. Yes, this is real life.
- Tunnel to Table Taster @ Tunnel Hill Mushrooms – Cultivate gourmet mushrooms in a moody old railway tunnel and discover the bold flavours of winter.
- Splinter Specialist @ Huon Pine Shop & Creative Paper Tasmania – Get hands-on with Huon Pine woodwork and papermaking in the most fragrant workshop in Strahan.
Other roles include a Calf Concierge, Scenic Seat-Warmer, Barrel Butler, Trail Trialler and even a Fragrance Forager. If you’ve ever wanted to live out your cottagecore dreams or just love trying something new, this is your moment.
How to Apply
Applications are open now until 17 June 2025 at DiscoverTasmania.com.au/winternships. Just choose your dream Winternship and in 50 words or less, tell them why you want to become a winter person. That’s it. Winners will get free travel, guidance from local experts, and a goody bag packed with Tasmania’s finest produce. And even if you don’t snag a Winternship, you’ll find plenty of off-season adventures to make winter feel a little more wild. So if you’re tired of the same old winter routine, maybe it’s time to ditch the doona and do something legendary instead.
