Things to do in Tasmania During Winter

Common Questions

Let's get down to business and answer some of the most common questions about winter vacations in Tasmania:

When is winter in Tasmania?

Officially winter begins on the 1st of June and ends on the 31st of August. Of course, the weather gods don't do things by precise dates, so we can get early snow in April and warm sunny days in September. In fact throughout the winter, we often experience clear, sunny "bluebird" days that make you happy to be alive. It's not like Northern Europe, where it gets dark mid-afternoon.

How cold will it be?

This depends on where you live and what feels cold to you. If you live in Alaska, much of Tasmania will feel positively balmy, while if you're from Las Vegas it'll be noticeably cooler than you're used to! Since we're located in the Southern Hemisphere, the temperature tends to drop as you travel from north to south.

Average winter high temperatures in the northernmost parts of the island are around 14 degrees Celsius (57 Fahrenheit). In the southernmost regions, the average high is around 13 degrees Celsius (55 Fahrenheit).

Won't it rain a lot?

In general Tasmania does get quite a lot of rain - this is why we have such stunning greenery, so we’re actually pretty happy about it! As a general rule, rainfall is frequent throughout the year, with a maximum in winter and a minimum in summer. However, it varies greatly in quantity, since the bulk of the rain falls on the western side. In fact, annual precipitation is equal to or higher than 1,500 millimeters (60 inches) on the west coast, around 2,000 mm (80 in) and more on the western slopes of the inland hills, around 900/1,000 mm (35/40 in) on the north coast, and down to 600/700 mm (24/28 in) in the east coast.

Will I see snow?

If you travel close to any of our mountain regions, you will be treated to views of dazzling snow-capped peaks wherever you look. Outside of the mountainous areas, it does snow occasionally (this is less likely the further north you travel) but it rarely sticks. So if winter sports or snowman-building are on your to-do list, make our mountains a priority. Ben Lomond (1 ½ hour’s drive from Launceston) and Mount Mawson (1 ½ hour’s drive from Hobart) are both great ski fields within easy reach of a major city.

Is it harder to get around?

With care, preparation, and attention to your speed, you can enjoy a winter self-drive holiday with minimal risk. If you can, avoid driving in the early morning, and in areas that are hidden from the sun - these areas can be slippery. 

Of course if you're on one of First Light Travel's self-drive holidays, you'll have local backup available 24 hours per day so just give us a call if you have any weather-related issues while you're on the road.

Domestic flights or buses may occasionally be delayed or cancelled due to wintery weather, so it's best to check the weather forecast before you set off.

Explore the Beautiful Underworld Caves at Mole Creek

The air might be chilly above ground, but Tasmania's caves stay at a constant temperature all year-round. At Mole Creek Karst National Park enjoy sparkling crystals and reflection pools of Marakoopa Cave, and keep an eye out for glow-worms. These tiny living lanterns are something to behold and are a sign of a healthy cave system.

Summer or winter, the climate never changes inside the Mole Creek Caves, so it’s a perfect place to visit year-round. The temperature is 9 degrees Celsius (48 Fahrenheit) so dress warmly and wear comfortable walking shoes.

Marakoopa Cave is located 11 km (6.8 miles) from Mole Creek in the foothills of Western Bluff. The cave, named after an Aboriginal word meaning "handsome", features a terrific glow-worm display. Visitors to the cave enter a section that is 457 metres long (1,500 feet). This section has been carved out by two underground streams.

This highly decorated cave features two different tours. 

The Underground Rivers and Glow-worms Tour (10 am, noon, and 2 pm daily) visit the lower chamber where you will be dazzled by its sparkling crystals, reflection pools, stalactites, and stalagmites. This easy tour caters to all age groups and levels of fitness.

The Great Cathedral and Glow-worms Tour (11 am, 1 pm, and 3 pm daily) include the magnificent cavern known as the Great Cathedral, which is a highlight not to be missed. The Gardens feature delicate formations and beautiful colors. Medium fitness levels are required for this tour, to ascend the stairway to the Great Cathedral.

Whale Watching

There is a chance of seeing whales in Tasmania at any time of the year because many different species of whales occur in Tasmanian waters and not all of them migrate. Orcas for example can be seen year-round, depending on the availability of their prey. 

However, most whale sightings occur on Tasmania's east coast and it is likely that the humpback and southern right whales prefer the calmer waters of the east coast. Frederick Henry Bay and Great Oyster Bay on the east coast are both excellent vantage points for whale watching.

The best time to see humpback whales is between May and July when they migrate northward to breeding areas off the coast of Queensland and Western Australia this is the best time of the year for whale watching in Tasmania. They can also be sighted between September and November on their return southward to their sub-antarctic feeding grounds.

Southern right whales migrate north from June to September to the waters of southern mainland Australia and return southward between September and late October. A proportion of the population gives birth in Tasmanian waters.

Humpback whales migrate past our coastline between the end of May and the end of June and between October and December. This is the best time of the year for whale watching in Tasmania! 

At times we also get to see some very rare whale species, like fin whales, sei whales, pygmy right whales or the largest whale species, the blue whale and also one of the smallest of the baleen whales, the dwarf minke whale.

Take a Ghost Tour of Port Arthur

The convict ruins of Port Arthur can be a spooky place at any time of year, but on a cold winter's day you'll really get a sense of how desolate and frightening it must have been for the poor souls transported here from the other side of the world against their will.

Take a lantern-lit ghost tour to discover the site's haunted side and hear stories of unexplained events and paranormal activity. More than 1000 people died at Port Arthur during its 47-year history as a penal settlement, and some people say that the souls of the departed have never left. Documented ghost stories have been associated with Port Arthur since 1870, and since that time, many people have added to Port Arthur’s haunted reputation with their own accounts of paranormal activity.

Enchanted Walk in Cradle Mountain National Park

Visit Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park and follow the Enchanted Walk through rainforest bejewelled with frost. This is an easy 20-minute 1.1 km (0.7 miles) circuit. A walk to suit all age groups, it will take you through buttongrass moorland before entering cool temperate rainforest along the edges of Pencil Pine Creek.

Along the track are three interpretive tunnels that kids and kids at heart will find fun to crawl through. Along the western bank of the Pencil Pine Creek you will come across several wombat burrows just on the edge of the track. You are most likely to spot wombats around dusk and dawn.

Enjoy Tasmanian Whisky

Tasmanian whisky has taken the world by storm, with many locally-produced blends winning top awards overseas. Follow the Tasmanian Whisky Trail, visiting distilleries such as Lark and Sullivans Cove in Hobart, or the Launceston Distillery and Hellyers Road Distillery in the north of the island.

Complete your education in Tassie whisky by attending Tasmanian Whisky Week (usually held in August). The week-long festival features exciting events hosted by Tasmanian distilleries, bars, restaurants and hotels. You'll be able to go behind the scenes, meet the distillers in person, have access to unreleased whiskies, and dine on delicious produce matched to the spirits on offer.

Until the early 1990’s, a 150 year government ban prevented whisky production in Tasmania. The hiatus was lifted after whisky entrepreneur Bill Lark challenged the ban and obtained a license to become the pioneer of Tasmania’s whisky renaissance.

Today there are nine licensed whisky distilleries across the state. Tasmanian whisky has clearly made a place for itself on the global stage and is consistently exported.

"I would prefer barley be fed to pigs than it be used to turn men into swine."

Lady Jane Franklin, 1838

Aurora Australis - the Southern Lights

Located relatively close to the South Pole, Tasmania is a perfect spot for observing the fascinating natural phenomenon of the Aurora Australis. The emergence of colors and flickers in the night starry sky creates an impression of the universe close at hand. The Southern Lights create a fairy-tale on Earth, turning the rural landscapes into majestic spot.

Best time to see

The Tasmanian aurora spectacle is somewhat elusive so we can never be sure when the solar winds will make it shine the brightest. Experienced observers recommend planning the trip for September when the southern lights are most vivid. Another relatively good season for aurora borealis in Tasmania is in winter, roughly from May to August. At this time of year, nights are longer, giving more opportunities to spot the Southern Lights.

Where 

Nearly all of Tassie is good for aurora spotting. Look for unobstructed views facing south. The Southern Peninsula (south of Hobart), Mount Nelson, Mount Wellington, Rosny Hill and Seven Mile are just a few ideas.
 

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Your options for exploring Tasmania are limitless, a guided group tour can be a fantastic option, and First Light Travel can even arrange a Privately Guided Tour for your family group, with everything tailored exactly as you desire.

More Reading: Things to do in Hobart in Winter.

For more self drive ideas, see our tried and tested Tasmania Road Trips