Tasmania Night Tours & Haunted Stories: Tasmania After Dark

Ever felt that spine-tingling thrill when dusk settles over Tasmania? That’s when the island truly wakes up. As the sun dips behind kunanyi/Mt Wellington, a new world emerges – one where wombats shuffle through moonlit forests, convict ghosts whisper from sandstone walls, and the Milky Way stretches like a diamond river across the sky. Forget daylight sightseeing; Tasmania after dark is where the magic really happens. Ready to swap sunscreen for starlight? Let’s dive into the best things to do in Tasmania at night.

The Magic of Night Tours: Wildlife, Stars, and Devilish Grins

• Dinner with Devils: At Devils@Cradle, join the 5:30pm After Dark Feeding Tour to watch Tasmanian devils rip into dinner with bone-crunching gusto. Under eco-sensitive lighting, you’ll see these endangered scavengers in their element – growling, squabbling, and doing their weird circular dances. Keepers share tales of their bizarre social lives (yes, they “slow dance” before fighting) while quolls and bettongs steal snacks in the shadows.
• Bonorong’s Night Shift: Hand-feed sugar gliders, chat with tawny frogmouths, and help breakfast prep for Eastern quolls at Bonorong Night Tour. For 2.5 hours, you’re not just a spectator – you’re part of the rescue sanctuary’s mission. Pro tip: Wear your ugliest jumper. Kangaroo cuddles get very muddy.
• Spotlight Safari at Cradle Mountain: Climb into a 4WD with McDermott’s Coaches and creep into the national park after sunset. With thermal spotlights, you’ll catch wombats bulldozing through snow, pademelons nibbling moss, and (if you’re lucky) the phhhht sound of a wild devil on the hunt. Winter tours start at 5:30pm – peak “wombat rush hour”.
• Stargazing on kunanyi: Join Walk On kunanyi at The Springs to decode the southern sky. Learn why the Emu in the Sky isn’t a constellation but a cosmic silhouette, how to spot Saturn’s rings through a telescope, and why Tassie’s air is so clear you’ll see galaxies 2.5 million light-years away. Dress like an Arctic explorer – it’s cold up there.

Why Explore After Dark? (Besides Bragging Rights)

Let’s be real: Night tours aren’t just cool – they’re smarter. Here’s why:

• Wildlife Wins: Most of Tassie’s mammals are nocturnal. After sunset, they’re not hiding – they’re throwing raves in the rainforest.
• Crowd-Free Magic: Swap daytime tour buses for intimate groups. At Port Arthur or Richmond Gaol, history feels eerily personal by lantern light.
• Celestial Drama: Tasmania’s low light pollution = Milky Way selfies so bright, you’ll blind your Insta followers.

Haunted Places & Ghost Tours in Tasmania 

Tassie doesn’t do friendly ghosts. Meet our permanent (and petulant) residents:

Port Arthur

Australia’s “most haunted site” isn’t messing around. Visitors report phantom footsteps in the Separate Prison, sobs in the Commandant’s House, and a lady in blue who glides through the church ruins. 

Willow Court Asylum

This 1827 asylum (Australia’s oldest) is not for the faint-hearted. Tasmania’s Most Haunted runs tours where EMF readers spike near Wards, disembodied whispers echo in the “dumb cell,” and shadows dart where patients underwent ice baths and insulin shocks.

Richmond Gaol

Solitary confinement cells here feel… occupied. Guides tell of a ghost named Randal Young who lived with his wife and their five children. Many visitors claim to see and interact with children within the home as well.

Bush Inn, New Norfolk

The oldest pub in Tasmania! . Room 6’s “young Lady” floats through walls, and some have even claimed to communicate with her. Some people have said she is a young child, while more recent accounts from hotel guests say she may be a teenager. No one really knows why she has moved into Room 6, though.

Self-Guided Audio Tours: Your Pocket Phantom-Whisperer

Not keen on group ghost hunts? No worries. Grab the Take A Local app and explore spooky sites your way:

• How It Works: Download a tour (like the upcoming Southern Explorer bundle). GPS triggers stories as you walk – no data needed – download before you go!
• Pro Perk: Pause to pet a wombat, then resume. No tour group groaning!

Night Owl Essentials: Don’t Leave Home Without…

• Warm Layers: Tassie nights average 2°C – even in summer. Beanies > baseball caps.
• Red-Light Torches: Wildlife won’t bolt if your beam’s not blinding.
• Silence: Animals (and ghosts) bolt from chatterboxes.
• Transport: Pre-book transfers – Bonorong offers Hobart shuttles; McDermott’s collects from Cradle lodges.

Final Word: Turn Off That Torch (Seriously)

Tasmania after dark isn’t just an adventure – it’s a sensory rebirth. It’s tasting salt air as devils screech in a sanctuary. It’s holding your breath as a wombat waddles past your hiking boots. It’s feeling the weight of history in a jail cell where 100,000 convicts whispered dreams of freedom.

So, download a tour, lace up your boots, and step into the ink. The island’s wild heart beats loudest when the stars are out.

Feeling Brave? Join Haunted Hobart & Beyond tour, or try our Summit to Sea bundle: stargaze on kunanyi by night, then chase devils at dawn. All for less than a pub meal.

FAQ

1. Are night tours in Tasmania safe?

Yes! Guided night tours include experienced specialists who know the terrain and wildlife habits and can help if something goes wrong. Just stick to marked trails, follow instructions and don’t touch wildlife (despite how adorable that wombat looks).

2. What should I wear on a night tour?

Tasmania gets very cold after dark – even in summer. Dress in layers, wear sturdy shoes, and take gloves and a beanie. If you’re stargazing, thermal leggings are life-changers.

3. Can I do a self-guided night tour?

Yes! The Take A Local app offers a variety of tours that are audio content, triggered by GPS location, for you to self-guide at your own pace. Excellent for independent explorers who like to move without a group but troll for stories and directions.

4. Will I see Tasmanian devils in their natural settings?

Tasmanian devils are hard to see in the wild; however, places such as Devils@Cradle, and Bonorong have specific tours to guarantee seeing devils at night. If you are especially lucky you might see one on a spotlight safari in Cradle Mountain too.

5. Are ghost tours suitable for children?

Some ghost tours (like Port Arthur’s or Willow Court Asylum) are recommended for older teens and adults due to mature subject matter. For families, Richmond Gaol is more appropriate for younger children (but still scary).

6. Do I need to book night tours in advance?

Yes — popular tours (such as wildlife encounters or ghost walks) will often sell out, particularly during peak periods. Book in advance not to be disappointed.

7. Can I take photographs on night tours?

Generally yes, but no flash when around wildlife (it startles them). Ghost tours restrict photographs in some locations (because the spirits don’t always like paparazzi).

8. What happens if it rains?

Tours run rain, snow or shine – this IS Tasmania! You will need a good wet weather jacket (with a hood) and embrace the moody atmosphere (ghost stories are better in the rain).

9. Are there age restrictions?

The majority of wildlife tours will have no restrictions, however, some ghost tours will have limits (usually no youngsters under 12) due to the scares. Always check prior to booking.