WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT Tasmania?
A little planning can take your Tasmanian holiday from memorable to perfect. We spent a few weeks driving around the Apple Isle as it’s affectionately known in Australia and kicked ourselves for taking so to make our first visit. To help you plan your own trip south, we have answered the most common questions we see in our Australian travel tips community. If you have one we have missed, head over to our Facebook Group and ask a local for help.
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Weather in Tasmania
Tasmania has four distinct seasons with very mild summers where temperatures usually reach the low 20s and cold winters where snow is not uncommon on Mount Wellington. The state’s eastern side is colder and wetter than the western side.
It’s worth remembering that Tasmania is the closest land mass to Antarctica, so it can get pretty chilly!
Most people consider November to February the best time to visit the island; however, we think spring and autumn are better choices, with comfortable temperatures for hiking and general exploring. The lower crowds make it easier to find excellent accommodation at affordable prices.
The winter is too cold for multi-day hikes unless you are very well prepared and some tracks are closed during July and August because the freezing temperatures make it unsafe.
Monthly average temperatures and rainfall in Tasmania
| Month | Average high | Average Low | Rain in mm |
| January | 22.0°C (71.6°F) | 12.0°C (53.6°F) | 46mm |
| February | 21.7°C (71.1°F) | 11.7°C (53.1°F) | 40mm |
| March | 20.1°C (68.2°F) | 10.2°C (50.4°F) | 42mm |
| April | 17.0°C (62.6°F) | 7.3°C (45.1°F) | 50mm |
| May | 13.9°C (57.0°F) | 5.0°C (41.0°F) | 51mm |
| June | 11.5°C (52.7°F) | 13.0°C (37.4°F) | 47mm |
| July | 10.6°C (51.1°F) | 2.0°C (35.6°F) | 47mm |
| August | 11.8°C (53.2°F) | 2.4°C (36.3°F) | 48mm |
| September | 13.8°C (56.8°F) | 3.9°C (39.0°F) | 52mm |
| October | 16.5°C (61.7°F) | 6.4°C (43.5°F) | 57mm |
| November | 18.6°C (65.5°F) | 8.6°C (47.5°F) | 55mm |
| December | 20.7°C (69.3°F) | 10.7°C (51.3°F) | 49mm |
Tasmanian Festivals and events
Tasmania has a pretty busy events calendar. Along with being wonderful fun, these festivals can see an influx of mainlanders, so book accommodation early. This is especially important in Hobart over Christmas and January.
| Date | Festival |
|---|---|
| January 2025 | Mona Foma |
| 10-12 January 2025 | Cygnet Folk Festival |
| February 2025 | Festivale |
| March 2025 | Ten Days on the Island (every other year) |
| 4 April -5 May 2024 | Spiegeltent Hobart |
| April | Targa Tasmania |
| 13-24 June 2024 | Dark Mofo |
| September 2024 | Blooming Tasmania Flower & Garden Festival |
| October | Devonport Food and Wine Festival |
| 12 October | Wynyard Tulip Festival |
| December | Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race |
| December/January | The Taste of Summer |
| December/January | Falls Festival – TBC 2025 |
Tasmanian School and Public Holidays
School holidays see prices go up and availability reduce. If you don’t need to be travelling at this time, you can save quite a bit by avoiding it.
| Holiday | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | 01 January | 01 January |
| Australia Day | 26 January | 27 January (holiday) |
| Royal Hobart Regatta* | 12 February | 10 February |
| Eight Hours Day | 11 March | 10 March |
| Good Friday | 29 March | 18 April |
| Easter Sunday | 01 April | 10 April |
| Easter Monday | 02 April | 21 April |
| Anzac Day | 25 April | 25 April |
| King’s Birthday | 10 June | 09 June |
| Christmas Day | 25 December | 25 December |
| Boxing Day | 26 December | 26 December |
| New Year’s Eve | 31 December | 31 December |
School Holidays in Tasmania 2024-2025
| Period | 2024 | 2025 |
| Autumn break: | 13 April – 28 April | 14 April – 28 April |
| Winter break: | 6 July – 21 July | 07 July – 20 July |
| Spring break: | 28 Sept. – 13 Oct. | 29 Sept – 12 Oct. |
| Summer break: | 19 Dec. – 4 Feb 2025 | 19 Dec. – TBA |