An alpine style winter escape, minus the mountains

Fancy an alpine-style winter experience in the Melbourne CBD? 

Fondue Chalet at Federation Square has partnered with DoubleTree by Hilton to offer a French style city break, with no flight to Europe needed.

So think a winter-decorated hotel room paired with some alpine taste treats (fondue or raclette) and mulled wine for dinner. 

The Fondue Chalet has returned with private wooden chalets, French-accented hospitality and the traditional feast of melted cheese on a winter's night. 

The experience is operated by a French team aiming to replicate genuine recipes, traditions and warmth from the mountains of France to the banks of the Yarra.

DoubleTree by Hilton Melbourne, meanwhile, is offering specially decorated winter rooms (below).

"Across France and the Alps, fondue and raclette bring millions of people together around the table every winter. It's what we simply call the joy of the table," says Vincent Hernandez, founder of Fondue Chalet. 

"In France they are not just meals, they are moments shared with family and friends. Seeing that same ritual happening here in Melbourne is incredibly special."

The DoubleTree by Hilton Melbourne winter room is available for bookings until August 31 on the hotel website. The winter package includes an overnight stay in a Winter Chalet Loft Room, a decadent free flowing hot chocolate station in the room, and breakfast in bed for two people.

Guests can enjoy 15% off their Fondue Chalet experience. Tickets cost from $79 per person (chalets seat six). Children under six dine free.

See www.fonduechalet.com.au and https://www.hilton.com/en/attend-my-event/melfsdi-gwint-0b248d82-0539-4578-b9d9-94bcbf45503f/

Hobart festival aims to push the boundaries

From garlic to folk music, Tasmania is home to dozens of quirky festivals.

One of the zaniest, the Beaker Street Festival, returns to Hobart from August 6-17 marking its 10th year with the theme:The Second Act.

Over the past decade, the festival has grown from a niche science experiment into a nationally recognised cultural event, drawing interstate audiences for immersive, ideas-led programming set against Tasmania’s winter landscape.

The 2026 edition consolidates into two focused weekends, anchored by distinct precincts and experiences. 

The festival continues to blend hard science with social experience, positioning Hobart as a winter meeting place for thinkers, travellers and curious audiences nationwide.

Antarctica will be a key focus with Hobart showcasing its gateway-to-Antarctica status. 

Tickets are on sale now for the Festival's first event, VAST: Where Sound Meets the Cosmos.

This immersive work is an Australian-exclusive premiere aiming to transform Hobart’s oldest theatre, the Theatre Royal (above), into a 360° soundscape, combining performers, instrumentalists and spatial audio for "a journey into the universe". 

Full program details are still under embargo but you can find more info here:  https://www.beakerstreet.com.au/

Jansz offers a sparkling winter experience

Jansz Tasmania is encouraging wine lovers to embrace the stillness and the chill of Tasmania’s Off Season with a luxe new wine room experience: "Winter With Jansz Tasmania".

OK, it is not the catchiest name, but the indulgent package for two celebrates the pleasures of winter, Tasmanian-style, as part of Tourism Tasmania's campaign. 

Wine lovers are invited to the Jansz Tasmania Wine Room in the heart of the Pipers River wine region to watch the weather roll in across the vineyards and lake. 

The Winter With Jansz Tasmania experience includes:

* 2 x Ultimate Tasting Flights

* A shared lunch platter featuring locally sourced Tasmanian produce

* A Jansz Tasmania wine bottle stopper

* 1 x bottle of your choice: Vintage Cuvée or Vintage Rosé

* A Tasmanian-made woollen beanie or scarf

The cost is $180 for two. 

“Winter is a time when Tasmania reveals its true character; wild, beautiful and wonderfully quiet,” says Daniel Kavanagh, Jansz Tasmania’s new Wine Room manager.

“Our Off Season experience is about slowing down, soaking it all in, and discovering the warmth that sparkling wine and good company can bring to even the coldest day.”

Bookings are essential and can be made via jansz.com.au. The experience is available Thursdays to Mondays during winter. 

Experience the Aurora in all its winter glory

Winter in Hobart is the perfect time to explore Tasmania's night sky, alive with vibrant stars and the ethereal Aurora Australis that projects hues of purple and green glows.

One of Hobart's leading hotels, The Tasman, a Luxury Collection Hotel, has just launched its "Skygazer'' Experience.

The new offering is led by Tasmanian photographer and Aurora chaser Luke O'Brien, who will offer participants an intimate photography lesson, showcasing the stunning features of the southern night sky - subject to local weather conditions.

The Aurora - often too subtle for the naked eye - , its celestial presence is best viewed through digital lens photography. 

'"Skygazer" experience inclusions are a night sky photography session with Tasmanian photographer Luke O'Brien; transfers to and from the locations selected by the photographer; spiced Tasmanian apple cider; Tasmanian Waverley Mills merino wool scarf and The Aurora Chaser's Handbook for guests to take home as a keepsake.

Comprising three linked buildings - Heritage, Art Deco, and a new contemporary design wing - The Tasman is the first Luxury Collection hotel in Australia.

For an overnight stay at The Tasman, rooms start from $350 per room per night.

Check out www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/hbalc-the-tasman-a-luxury-collection-hotel-hobart

The "Skygazer" Experience' is bookable from June 1-August 31 from an additional $580 for an individual experience, or $450 per person for a group experience, bookable via the hotel concierge at 03 6240 6000.