The Best Time to Travel to Tasmania
Since the earliest days of travel, the true allure of a journey has never just been about the destination, but the experiences that await there. Travellers long to embrace the weird, wacky and wonderful. They no longer plan holidays around experiences – they’re planning because of them. And in the Apple Isle? Each season brings its own unforgettable invitation.
Scroll and we’ll uncover why Tasmania is always in season.
Want to skip the details? Here’s a quick summary of the best times to visit Tassie:
Best Times to Visit Tasmania
| Category | Best Time |
|---|---|
| For Weather | Dec – Mar |
| For Fewer Crowds | May – early Sept |
| For Cheaper Prices | June – Aug |
| For a Beach Holiday | Late Dec – Feb |
| For Outdoor Activities | Dec – Apr |
| For Hiking | Mar – May |
| For Aurora Australis Viewing | May – Aug |
| For Cultural Activities | June (Dark Mofo), Feb (Festivale), year-round in Hobart |
| For a Family Holiday | Jan, April, Sept school holidays |
Best for: Families, sand-between-your-toes holidays and starry-night camping singalongs.
Hobart sees the country’s longest day on December 22, basking in the most southern sunlight. Summer proves itself a time to linger. It’s when over 30 species of eucalyptus release their oils into the warm air and bees hum through leatherwood trees. It’s devils at dusk on Cradle Mountain and toes sinking into the soft sands of Wineglass Bay on the Freycinet Peninsula (some of the best in the country!).
But it’s also full of life. The Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race draws old sailors and mainland corporates to the docks, where they share celebratory roars. Hobart’s Taste of Summer is a sensory feast – think squidlipops (fried squid on a stick), fresh scallops from Bass Strait and glasses of delectable local rosé. Further north, Festivale turns Launceston’s City Park into a playground of flavour and sound. Prefer mosh pit over picnic? Don your Blundstones for Party in the Paddock, where a countryside stage hosts some of the world’s biggest bands.
Here, even the quietest corners can’t help but show off. At Bridestowe Lavender Estate, rows of violet fields unfurl towards the horizon – best savoured with the famous lavender ice cream from Woodcroft Cafe. Step onto Maria Island and you’ll find wombats as unofficial tour guides, ambling past convict ruins, Aboriginal landmarks and postcard-perfect beaches.
Insider tip: Book early! Accommodation and car rentals go fast.
Best for: Trailblazers and shutter-happy photographers.
It’s hard to say which is prettier: walking through “the turning of the fagus” or the romantic journey to get there. Late April to May, trek through Cradle Mountain’s mist-shrouded rainforest and mirrored peaks on trails like Dove Lake’s circuit, and witness Australia’s only winter-deciduous tree in all its fiery splendour. Since you’ve already packed your hiking boots, you might as well take on anything in the Central Highlands or the east coast, where the milder season makes it perfect to tackle Tasmania’s most spectacular walks.
Up north, the Tamar Valley is at its most generous in autumn, as harvest begins and winemakers hit their stride. It’s the perfect excuse for a long, lazy lunch where the best of the season’s flavours mingle with a glass of Tassie’s cool-climate wine. Autumn also sees the larder at its fullest, overflowing at the Launceston Harvest Market and the Devonport Food and Wine Festival.
Best for: Culture-vultures, oyster-lovers and snow chasers.
Far from hibernation, Tasmania thrives in its “Off Season”. June heralds Dark Mofo, a winter solstice festival where the surreal, the sacred and the subversive collide – from the infamous Nude Solstice Swim to the wacky offerings at Winter Feast. Come July, the Huon Valley Mid-Winter Festival lights the orchards with fire and song, and the Festival of Voices unites voices and audiences across the island.
August is also prime whisky weather. Whisky Week proves it, bringing together top distillers who pour their finest drams while hosting masterclasses and cellar-door experiences. Step outside and winter’s beauty is equally as intoxicating – from Cradle Mountain blanketed by powdery snow and kunanyi/Mt Wellington’s frosty ridges to the challenging trails of Marion’s Lookout.
And when night falls, lift your gaze to the sky. Winter offers the best chance to witness the Aurora Australis as it shimmers in ribbons of green and pink.
Best for: Green thumbs and wildlife whisperers.
September weather might not have the best reputation (bring a jacket!), but once winter’s frost thaws, moody skies give way to longer days. On the north-west coast, Table Cape bursts forth with masses of technicolour tulips during the Tulip Festival Wynyard in October. The festivities seep into town, transforming streets with music, food and art.
As mellow weather descends, Tasmania opens wide for indulgence. The Great Eastern Wine Week gathers more than 40 events along the east coast, from vineyard lunches to sunset tastings, while the Junction Arts Festival in Launceston transforms the city into an open-air gallery. For an indulgent experience of the wilderness kind, it’s the perfect time to follow the whale trail or cast a line for trout in pristine rivers.
Looking for more inspiration? Discover our Best 7 Day Tasmania Road Trip Itinerary
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When is Tasmania at its warmest?
The warmest months are December through February, with average temperatures ranging from 17–23°C (63–73°F). This makes it perfect for beaches, hiking, camping and coastal cruises.
When is the best time to see wildlife in Tasmania?
Spring and summer are ideal for spotting wombats, wallabies, seals, and dolphins. Whale migration is best observed between May and November along Tasmania’s coasts.
Which season is best for hiking and outdoor adventures?
Summer provides the safest and most accessible conditions for hiking, mountain biking, kayaking and coastal cruises. Autumn and spring are also ideal, offering mild weather, fewer crowds and stunning landscapes for unforgettable outdoor experiences.
Discover more for your Tasmanian adventure below!
Season-by-season guide to Tasmania: weather, wildlife, events, and the best times for beaches, hiking, road trips, and the Aurora Australis.