Hobart Weather and Climate Information for Visitors


Overview

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Australia's "Island state", Tasmania, is by far geographically the closest state of the country to the Antarctic; but never fear - while it is far cooler than most other Australian areas, it seldom reaches the level of other country's uncomfortably cold climes.

Its cool, temperate climate means that Tasmania is the Australian state that by far embodies the contrast between the "four seasons", with striking visual changes taking place as one season transitions to the next. Coupled with its abundance of natural features and plant life, Tasmania can feel like an entirely different country to many places on Australia's mainland.

Many have compared Tasmania's climate to that of England; with the weather conditions coupled with the lush and verdant countryside, it isn't hard to see why. Tasmania's weather makes it an ideal getaway both for Aussies looking for something completely different, or for those who find the mainland's climate too warm for their tastes.

Temperatures and Rainfall

Weather patterns in Tasmania a prone to sudden change at any time due to the abundance of many large hills and mountains directly alongside valleys. Rainfall in the state likewise follows a complicated pattern similar to European countries located in the Northern Hemisphere along the relative same degrees of latitude, with the Winter months generally being the wettest throughout the year. In terms of yearly averages for temperatures, the maximum for Tasmania is approximately 16.9°C (62.4°F), while the minimum sits at a chilly 8.3°C (46.9°F) - which, as can be seen, has markedly cooler than most of its' mainland capital city cousins.

In terms of rainfall, the heaviest months are generally from June to October, although due to the changeable nature of the climate this can vary from year to year.

Seasons

Variation is a key highlight of the seasonal transitions Tasmania experiences; the contrasts are significant, and the scenery is also as a result. The distinctive nature of each season makes the timing of planning a trip to Tasmania a lot more crucial than to some of Australia's other states and can have a large impact on your holiday experience, so be sure to research and plan accordingly so as to coincide with what appeals to your tastes, although the weather's erratic nature can sometimes make this difficult. A general summary of Tasmania's seasons is as follows:

Summer

For those with an aversion to chilly weather, Summer makes the most sense to visit Tasmania as temperatures average in the low-to-mid 20's, making swimming possible (if not highly recommended). Tasmania's Summer evenings are famous for their lingering twilight due to its global position below the 40th parallel, and are often beautiful to sit out and observe before the slight night time chill begins to creep in.

Tasmanian waters are also rich with massive kelp forests and a wide variety of marine life, making Summer an ideal time to take any diving trips you may have planned. With warm, sunny days and mild evenings, Summer is and always has been one of the most popular times to visit and experience Tasmania.

Autumn

Tasmanian Autumns provide a visual cue that signify the classic transition to Winter, with its forests and fields of deciduous trees showing vibrant reds, yellows and other Autumn colours while gradually losing their leaves. The days are generally clear and cool, while the nights range from cool to frosty - suitable clothing is recommended, especially for those with a low tolerance to cold weather as night time temperatures during autumn average around 8°C (46.4°F).

There are still many sunny days throughout Autumn, although the weather can be quite changeable and inconsistent, and becomes increasingly cool in May as the transition to full-blown Winter is nearly complete. The landscape's colours provide an ideal time to visit some of the vineyards and wineries that the state has become famous for, as a tour out to the countryside provides numerous visual - and palatable! - delights.

Winter

Winters in Tasmania are genuinely cold in comparison with mainland Australia, and although snow rarely falls on the state's cities, many of the mountains that can be seen are often blanketed at their peaks, making for a wonderful visual spectacle (the famed Mount Wellington near Hobart is a prime example). Prepare to pack accordingly if you are visiting Tasmania during Winter - bring jumpers, long pants, and layered clothing, as the Winter sunshine can be quite warm, making it handy to be able to "peel off" a layer or two in the middle of the day.

Winters coincide with short daylight hours, and there are several opportunities for skiing and other wintersports for those who are so inclined. Winter also has the heaviest amount of rainfall of all Tasmania's seasons, and in general the number of rainy days per year is much greater than on any part of the Australian mainland.

Spring

Spring is a season where the shaking off of Winter can be seen as showers give way to new growth warming up to the approaching Summer. Tasmania's huge array of flora makes for a beautiful landscape as flowers, fields and vineyards are in full bloom, making it the best time of the year to appreciate the greenery that is such a strong juxtaposition to the reds and yellows of Autumn.

Spring is also historically Tasmania's windiest season and a transitional period with gardens around the state being prime attractions as they are often protected and sheltered from wind conditions. The weather is also continually unpredictable during this season and a variety of conditions can be possible form day to day - from cold and windy to still and warm. Tasmanian Springs are usually a case of simply keeping your fingers crossed! In addition, if you are looking for further ideas on activities, attractions and other things to do in and around Hobart, don't hesitate to check out our main Hobart page for an extended catalogue of options, general information about Hobart, and much more!

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We acknowledge and pay respect to the Traditional Custodians of Country and their connections and continuous care for the skies, lands and waterways throughout Australia.