Tasmania: When to go

Many parts of Tasmania are geared up for tourism. When to go to Tasmania is very dependent on your personal circumstances. Work out first what you want from your holiday or break in Tasmania as the island state has such a huge variety of attractions and activities to offer the visitor. Like that of Britain, Tasmania's climate is temperate, although it is subject to wide fluctuations in temperature, largely to its position in the pathway of the “roaring forties” wind. The average maximum temperatures in summer (December to February) are around 21 degrees Celsius, and in winter (June to August) around 12 degrees Celsius. Temperatures are generally much cooler inland and the Central Plateau of Tasmania is often snow covered in winter. Tasmania has four distinct seasons. Summer is warm with sunny days and mild evenings, although thunderstorms are common early in the season. Autumn is the time of transition to winter, with very cool to frosty nights and clear cool days and deciduous trees displaying autumn colours and falling leaves. Winter is characterised by sudden storms, shorter daylight hours and snow on the higher peaks. Generally speaking, Tasmanian weather is more settled between the months of February and April, from midsummer to late autumn. The number of rainy days in Tasmania is greater than on any part of mainland Australia, with most falling in July and August. The annual rainfall varies from 25 inches (626 mm) in Hobart to 94 inches (2400 mm) on the west coast. The prevailing weather pattern is from west to east and creates a rain shadow in the same direction. The weather on the east coast is nearly always warmer and drier than the rest of the state. The peak tourist season is in the summer, from December to February, which coincides with the Christmas and New Year holidays, so prices will be higher in these months.