Climate

Tasmania has four distinct seasons. The warmest months are December, January, February and March. Autumn has still sunny days and riotous colours as 200 year-old oaks, elms, birches and our own native beech, turn from gold to red in preparation for winter. Winter runs from May through August. However, because we sit in the Southern Ocean, the world's weather engine, and our climate can vary greatly - on any given day.

The average maximum daily summer temperatures sit between 17 and 23 degrees Celsius (62 and 73 degrees Fahrenheit) and winter daily between 3 and 11 degrees Celcius (37 and 51 degrees Fahrenheit). Our location below the 40th parallel means our summer evenings have long languid twilights.

Rainfall varies dramatically across the Island. Hobart, with an average of 626 millimetres (24 inches) is Australia's second-driest capital city (after Adelaide). While on the west coast an annual average of 2,400 mm (95 inches) ensures the rainforest thrives.

The minimal artificial light in Tasmania's night sky means it is an exceptional location for viewing one of the wonders of the cosmos, the magnificent Aurora Australis.

To find out more about our weather check out the Australian Bureau of Meteorology.

Like the rest of Australia we have an informal and relaxed style of dressing. Smart, casual street wear is acceptable for most restaurants and evening events.

Remember, as Scottish comedian Billy Connolly said, 'There's no such thing as bad weather. There's only bad clothing'. So no matter when you come bring a warm jacket and a rain jacket. If you are coming in the cooler months, it's best to bring clothing you can layer because even the winter sun is quite warm.