The best time to visit Hobart
There's no wrong time to visit Hobart — only different moods. Summer is warm, long-lit and festive; autumn is mild and golden; winter is cold, cosy and lit up by Dark Mofo; spring is fresh and green. The one constant is changeable weather, so pack layers whenever you come. Here's how the seasons stack up, so you can pick the trip that suits you.
Summer, autumn, winter, spring
Summer (Dec–Feb) is warmest and busiest, with long days, the Sydney to Hobart and the Taste of Summer festival — book ahead. Autumn (Mar–May) is settled and beautiful, with golden colour and fewer crowds. Winter (Jun–Aug) is cold but magical, bringing Dark Mofo, snow on the mountain and cosy nights. Spring (Sep–Nov) is fresh and green. See our events guide for what's on when.
Pack for four seasons a day
Hobart's cool temperate climate gives pleasant summer days (often low-to-mid 20s°C) and cold, frosty winters with snow on kunanyi/Mount Wellington. It's one of Australia's drier capitals, but the weather is famously changeable — locals joke about four seasons in a day. Whatever the forecast, bring layers and a waterproof, and be ready for a cool snap even in summer. It's all part of the southern charm.
For quiet and value
For the best value and smallest crowds, aim for the shoulder months — May and September — or winter weekdays outside the Dark Mofo fortnight. The peak times to book early (and pay more) are the New Year period and Dark Mofo in June, when accommodation fills fast. Whatever your dates, we can help you plan and lock in the right stay. See our where to stay guide.
Best time to visit Hobart: your questions
It depends on your priorities. Summer (December–February) is warmest, sunniest and liveliest, with long days, the Sydney to Hobart and festival buzz — but also the biggest crowds and prices. Autumn (March–May) is mild, settled and quieter, with beautiful colour. Winter (June–August) is cold but brings Dark Mofo and snow on kunanyi. Spring is fresh and green. There's no bad time — just different moods. See our events guide.
Hobart has a cool temperate climate. Summer days are pleasant (often low-to-mid 20s°C) with cool evenings; winter days are cold (around 11–12°C) with frosty nights and snow on the mountain. It's actually one of Australia's drier capitals, but the weather is changeable — four seasons in a day is a local saying. Whenever you visit, pack layers and a waterproof, and don't be surprised by a cool snap even in summer.
Yes, if you embrace the cold. Winter (June–August) brings the spectacular Dark Mofo festival in June, snow on kunanyi/Mount Wellington, cosy whisky bars and log fires, and moody, uncrowded days — plus lower prices outside the festival. Just pack warm layers and expect short daylight. For many, midwinter Hobart is the most atmospheric time of all. See our events guide.
Generally the shoulder seasons — late autumn (May) and early spring (September) — and winter weekdays outside Dark Mofo offer the best value and smallest crowds. Avoid the New Year period (Sydney to Hobart and Taste of Summer) and the Dark Mofo fortnight in June if you want lower prices, as accommodation fills and rates rise. Book well ahead for any peak dates. See our where to stay guide.
Tasmania's deciduous beech (fagus) — Australia's only native winter-deciduous tree — turns gold and russet in late April and May, best seen in the highlands such as Mount Field. European trees in Hobart's gardens and the Coal River Valley also colour beautifully through autumn. It's a lovely, mild and quiet time to visit, pairing colour with cellar doors and cosy dining. See our day trips guide.