You can spend your winter babysitting Tassie devils

It’s just one of 10 unique internships on offer this winter.

Tassie is one of those places that gets even better during the cooler months, and this one may just be its best yet. Tourism Tasmania has unveiled its new Winternships program – a clever portmanteau of ‘winter’ and ‘internships’ – designed by local experts to help Australians embrace the cold. The best part? It’s completely free. All you have to do is choose your dream Wintership and apply – who knows? You could be one of the lucky chosen few.

What Winternships can I choose from?

There are 10 Winternships up for grabs this season, each hosted by a different local business across various regions of the state. But our favourite? You can apply to babysit a Tasmanian Devil at Devils@Cradle Wildlife Sanctuary in Cradle Mountain. Not only is the north-west region home to this precious endangered species, it’s also a natural playground full of outdoor hikes, wilderness spas and fishing spots, making it an ideal winter weekend away.

Your job will be to watch over the adorable baby joeys as their parents hibernate through the winter. Tasmanian devils enter a torpor-like state during the cooler months, where their body temperature and breathing rate drop significantly, allowing them to survive periods of reduced food availability.

However, due to their young age, devil joeys would rather stay awake to play – and this is where you come in. You’ll prep bottles, gather late-night snacks and get the babies ready for bed each night. Other duties include escorting any visitors out of the area (as it is restricted) and keeping it quiet while the joeys are resting.

You’ll need to be a bit of a night owl too, as these little guys must be monitored and fed throughout the evening and into the early morning hours. Two nights of accommodation will be included in your Winternship, as well as return flights, car hire and a selection of delicious Tassie treats.

If you’d rather do something a little different, there are plenty of other options up for grabs. Become a fragrance forager for Undersong Perfumery in Bicheno. Take on a calf concierge at Borradale Stanley, keeping an eye out for newly born baby cows. Ensure Australia’s only sauna boat on Tasmania’s iconic sauna trail is toasty enough for Kuuma guests as a sauna skipper.

Test out the mountain bike tracks at Blue Derby Pods Ride as a trail trialler. You can even host a barn party for Hideaway Farmlet’s herd of goats as its official goat doofer. There’s also barrel butler, scenic seat-warmer, splinter specialist and tunnel to table taster internships available.

How do I apply?

Requesting to join the program is relatively straightforward. Head to Tourism Tasmania’s website and find the Winternship you’d like to take on. Each one has its own application process, which follows a series of questions, as well as its own terms and conditions.

After filling in a few personal details, you’ll have a maximum of 50 words to explain why you want to become a winter person with a Tasmanian Winternship. Applications are now open and will close at midnight on 17 June 2025. All candidates must be over 18 years of age and be Australian citizens.