The Best Time to Visit Tasmania
Tasmania by season
Tasmania’s cool and temperate climate brings warm summers and mild winters to the island. Summer is the most popular time to visit, although the crisp sunny days of spring and autumn are delightful too, and in winter, the land turns white with snow. To help you decide when’s best for your Tasmania holiday, we’ve split up the year into four seasons.
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September - November
The days begin to lengthen, the snow melts and the land comes alive with green in Tasmania’s springtime. Temperatures hover somewhere in the teens, so it’s important to wrap up, but there’s nothing stopping you from heading outside, climbing Mount Wellington or wandering along Hobart’s blooming waterfront in the sunshine.
Go for:
White water rafting: as the snow melts, the Franklin River rages and creates an excellent white water rafting course which opens in early October.
Bloomin Tulips Festival: also in October, Wynyard’s celebration of the flowering Table Cape tulips is a colourful selection of stalls, performance, food and fireworks.
December - February
Tasmania’s summers are warm, with temperatures sometimes topping 30°C, and although it’s also the wettest time, it’s definitely the season for outdoor adventuring and hiking in Cradle Mountain – Lake St Clair and Freycinet National Parks, or ascending Mount Wellington. Don’t forget though that the weather, particularly in the mountains, can turn suddenly, so come prepared.
Go for:
Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race: between Christmas and New Year, see which yachts will be the first into Hobart, having left Sydney, 630 miles away on Boxing Day.
Taste of Tasmania: in late December and early January, celebrate all things Tasmania at this festival held in Hobart, where you can enjoy local food, home-grown produce, arts, culture and sporting events.
March - May
By autumn, temperatures have started to cool a little and evenings can be chilly, although it’s a good time to nab some good deals on hotels and day tours. The leaves on the trees turn deep shades of red and orange, and with most hiking trails still open across the national parks and the Bay of Fires, there are some pleasant walks to be had among the autumn foliage.
Go for:
Tasmanian International Arts Festival: formerly Ten Days on the Island, this biennial celebration of arts and performance is held in March in odd-numbered years.
International Mural Fest: for something a little bit different, head to Sheffield during the week commencing Easter Sunday and watch the painters compete in the themed ‘paint off’.
June - August
Tasmanian winters are particularly attractive, with snow turning the countryside white and pure. Everything is cheaper at this time, and even though some Cradle Mountain hiking trails are closed for the winter, the ones that stay open are well worth doing, especially when followed by a warming hot chocolate by the fire in a cosy log cabin. So grab your snowshoes and get out there!
Go for:
Chocolate Winterfest: chocoholics should make a beeline for Latrobe in mid-August and indulge in this celebration of one of life’s richest pleasures: chocolate.
Dark MOFO: held in June at the Museum of Old and New Art in Hobart, this celebration of midwinter uses art, food, light and music to light up the night time darkness.
