When is a good time to visit Tasmania? 5 insider tips for an unforgettable trip

If there’s one question we get as Airbnb Superhosts of a Tasmanian Tiny House it’s this: when is a good time to visit Tasmania? Also, when is the worst time to visit? Whether you’re a nature enthusiast seeking adventure or a foodie craving fresh local flavours, it’s true: Tasmania offers something for everyone. There’s a season here for every traveller. And that’s why the question when is a good time to visit Tasmania doesn’t deserve a generic answer. So lets find out what kind of traveller you are! Here’s the inside story on what to expect in different seasons across factors like weather, costs, crowds, and experiences. So you can decide for yourself when to take that epic Tassie trip and when is the worst time to visit Tasmania. You’ll find our recommendations at the end. And here’s a hint. The best season to visit? It’s not summer.

When is a good time to visit Tasmania?

What ‘good’ means is subjective and individual.

‘Good’ when it comes to travel often refers to the weather. Not too hot, or too wet, or too cold. Or a good time to visit a particular must-see destination is when it’s not too crowded.

And then again, a ‘good time to visit’ can also refer to cheaper travel times for the budget conscious.

So we’re not going to find out what ‘good’ means for you. By sharing expect at different times of the year, in terms of weather, travel costs, crowds, daylight hours and seasonal Tassie experiences.

This way, you can decide for yourself when it’s a good time to visit Tasmania – for you! And when is the worst time to visit.

Don’t forget to read to the end for our 5 insider tips for seasonal travel and an unforgettable trip Tassie trip! 👇🏽👇🏽

A good time to visit Tassie – is it summer?

Summer is not the best time to visit Tassie, despite what the internet tells you.

The reason? That would be giving it away! You’ll find the answer at the end…👇🏽

Here’s all you need to know to decide for yourself when it’s a good time to visit and when is the worst time to visit Tasmania, by season. 👇🏽

Now you know the highlights, read on to find out the experiences and activities we recommend doing in Tasmania, by season and month of the year.

Don’t forget the big reveal at the end – when is a good time to visit, and when is the worst time to visit Tasmania! 👇🏽👇🏽

Summer in Tasmania (Dec – Feb)

Tasmania’s summer months are December to February. The weather is awesome. It’s the season of temperate days, santorini blue skies, and long, languid summer nights. The summer sun goes down at 9pm, and the days go on forever. Which makes travel in summer great, because you can jam a lot into your day.

As the mercury rises, Tasmania’s summer season offers endless possibilities for outdoor adventure and relaxation. Both are high on the list of reasons travellers visit the state. This explains why summer in Tasmania is peak travel season. And the most expensive time to visit the state.

Point in case:

We run short stay accommodation in Tasmania. We check prices in the local accommodation market regularly. Late December and January is without question. the most expensive time to book accommodation in Tasmania. Flights are expensive too.

If budget is a primary driver, summer is not a good time to visit Tasmania. It’s also not the best time of year to travel overall, in our view. See why at the end 👇🏽👇🏽.

What to do in Tasmania in December

• Farmers markets are prolific in summer and well worth visiting. The Hobart Farmers Market is best for foodies. We also like the Sandy Bay Twlight Market for atmosphere and its diverse food van mix. And there’s the Tasmania Produce Market at Rosny on Saturday mornings. In Launceston, the Harvest Market is the place to be on Saturday morning to find purveyors of all yummy things Tasmanian.
• Summer is also beach time in Tasmania. The only time most of us are prepared to brave the frigid waters here and swim. The beaches are pristine with barely a soul to be seen. For turquoise seas, our favourite beaches are at Freycinet National Park on the east coast, any beach in the Bay of Fires in Tasmania’s north-east, and Boat Harbour Beach in the North West.
  • In the south we like Kingston Beach not far from Hobart. There’s a dog off leash area and the Salty Dog pub across the road welcomes pooches into its beer garden. What more could you ask for on a sunny summer’s day looking out at the rolling Southern Ocean.

What to do in Tasmania in January

• Beach n chill at Bruny Island is a summertime must-do. Walk the Cloudy Bay Beach Track on South Bruny Island to explore our favourite beaches at Cloudy Bay. Take a rare dip in the Southern Ocean and relax on mostly deserted sands.
• Embark on an award-winning wildlife cruise adventure along the sheer cliffs of Bruny Island or the Tasman Peninsular, where you can spot seals, dolphins, and migrating whales. The coastline is jaw dropping too.
• Indulge in Tasmania’s world-renowned seafood, with oysters, salmon, and crayfish fresh from the pristine waters of the island’s coast. Take a day trip to Bruny Island and visit Get Shucked for those sweet sweet Tassie oysters. Or 30 minutes outside Hobart you’ll find the delectable seafood platter at Barilla Bay Oyster Farm. Thank us later.

What to do in Tasmania in February

• Book a spot at the Mt Gnomon Orchard Sunset Feast. This event is iconically Tasmanian and a star of the North West’s summer event calendar. A long table spread amongst apple trees with views out to Bass Strait, feasting on smokey local-grown pork, paired with Tasmanian Pinot’s, ciders and craft beers. Need we say more!
• Rock up to Festivale in Launceston CBD and enjoy a festival full of great food, wine, beer and spirits prepared in Tasmania’s North. Launceston is Australia’s most underrated foodie destination. You’ll be rewarded handsomely for your patronage.

Autumn in Tasmania (Mar – May)

Autumn steals the show in Tasmania because of its wonderful display of colours across the landscape. As temperatures drop, the trees transform into a stunning palette of reds, oranges, and yellows, creating picture-perfect scenes everywhere you turn.

With clear skies and crisp air, it’s prime time for outdoor adventures and photography.

Plus, it’s harvest season, so orchards and vineyards are abuzz with activity, offering a feast for the eyes and taste buds alike. Autumn in Tasmania exudes tranquility and serenity, making it the perfect season to escape and reconnect with nature.

What to do in Tasmania in March

• Take a boozy gourmet lunch and wine tour the Tamar Valley wine region, where vineyards ablaze with autumn hues offer tastings of award-winning wines. Sample the excellent Pinot Noir Tasmania is famous for.
• Drive North West Tasmania’s spectacular coastline between Devonport and Smithton – an epic Tassie Autumn road trip with stops along the way at the North West’s best breweries, cafes, distilleries and farm gate producers. Take your camera or iPhone to catch those epic views.
• Adventure West and glide over the glass-like Gordon River from an electric powered boat with insanely popular Gordon River Cruises. Sand board down Henty Dunes and get stuck into local seafood in Strahan’s best seafood restaurants. Drive the 99 bends back to Hobart, calling in at fabulous stopovers on the way like Nelson Falls, the famous Franklin River, and The Wall in the Wilderness.

What to do in Tasmania in April

• No self-drive Tasmania itinerary in Autumn would be complete without a visit to Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park to see the annual Turning of the Fagus, and hike golden-hued forests around stunning Cradle Mountain. Autumn is a popular time to do the multi-day walk on the Overland Track to Lake St Clair.

• Follow the Targa Tasmania race around the state to watch the high speed racing antics amongst a backdrop of stunning landscapes.
• Head to Richmond for the Crave Harvest Festival in the Coal River Valley. One of Tasmania’s primary food and wine regions it’s the perfect event to indulge in tantalising dishes from local chefs accompanied by the region’s best wines.
• Book the Valleys of Vino tour from Hobart. Enjoy wine tastings at the very cool climate wines in Southern Tasmania – Derwent Valley, Coal River Valley, and Tea Tree Valley. No dedicated driver needed!

What to do in Tasmania in May

• Pull on your wellies and get along to Agfest, Tasmania’s biggest agricultural festival in a paddock and a truly unique rural Tasmanian experience. Learn about sustainable farming from Tassie growers, check out the live entertainment, salivate at cooking demonstrations and vibe with the wholesome country atmosphere.
• Head to the Huon Valley, where Autumn is harvest time for the crisp apples and juicy pears famous in the area. In Autumn, the Huon transforms into a riot of colours, from fiery reds and oranges to vibrant yellows and deep greens and is truly one of the prettiest places in Tasmania. The most picturesque spots in the Huon are Cygnet, Geevston, and Dover.
• Tasmania is one of few places left in Australia where ‘cracker night’ is still a thing. For the uninitiated, firecracker night is when you release your inner child and can legally buy and set off fire crackers at home. In Tasmania, Cracker Night falls on the closest Saturday to 24 May each year. You do need a permit to let off your own crackers. Visitors can enjoy the festivities at local events, like Cracker Night at the Hobart Showgrounds. If you’ve never experienced a cracker night yourself, it’s a lot of fun.

Winter in Tasmania (Jun – Aug)

Tasmania winter temperatures are not as cold as I imagined before moving here. It’s less cold than Canberra. Or Bendigo or Ballarat in Victoria. The message here? A

winter holiday is entirely doable.

And in fact, we love the silvery shimmer of a frosty morning in rural Tasmania. As the temperature drops, Tasmania transforms into a winter wonderland of cozy fireside retreats and spectacular natural beauty.

Don’t be mistaken. There are plenty of things to do in Tasmania in winter.

What to do in Tasmania in June

• Hit Tasmania’s Whiskey Trail in search of Australia’s best single malt and down a dram or two fireside at State’s world-class distilleries. All the big names are here: Sullivan’s Cove, Lark, Lawrenny Estate, Mc Henry’s – it’s an embarrassment of riches and a must do for any whiskey enthusiast.
• Or level up your whiskey tasting experience with the Tasmanian Whiskey Distillery Full Day Tasting. Learn about Tassie’s world class Whiskey scene from the experts. The best thing? You get to sit back and enjoy it all – hassle free!
• Not many people know this, but Tasmania does Winter Festivals exceedingly well. From Dark MOFO in Hobart, to Chocolate Winterfest in Latrobe, or Permission to Enter up on the Table Cape, there’s a metric tonne of revelling to be had. Plan your trip around a couple of coinciding festivals and you’ll have a rollicking great winter holiday.

What to do in Tasmania in July

• Road trip the East Coast, where the weather is warmer and drier. Stay in the Bay of Fires and take some epic day trips to nearby attractions. Have lunch at the Pub in the Paddock at charming Pyengana and then visit the Pyengana dairy door for a creamy ice cream. Wander the windswept beaches around nearby Bicheno and St Helens and treat yourself to a seafood feast.
• Head up into the Central Highlands for an alpine snowfight! Covered in inches of snow, the Central Plateau and Great Lakes area has a real winter vibe. Hike around a snowy Lake St Clair, grab a pub meal fireside at the Great Lakes Hotel, stoke the wood fire at your Tassie shack accommodation, grab a glass of red and a good book and just chill! Make sure you hire a 4WD and be ready for some seriously snow-covered roads!

What to do in Tasmania in August

• Road trip through North West Tasmania at it’s greenest time of year. Drive through perfectly green rolling hills as far as the eye can see, stop in at the many lookouts dotted through the bucolic, tapestry-like farm-scape of the North West. Cosy up by the fire at a romantic local farmstay with outstanding hospitality and jaw-dropping views of Mount Roland and the surrounding farm-scape of gorgeous hidden gem – West Kentish.
• Revel in the romance of a Tasmanian winter. Get your hands dirty at a Truffle Farm experience and feast on truffle pizza and even truffle ice cream! 🥶
• Waterfalls and rainforest walks are at their spectacular (but muddy) best this time of year. Hike in to Champagne Falls and Bridal Falls to witness their raw power on the way to Cradle Mountain.

Spring in Tasmania (Sept – Nov)

As the days grow longer again, Tasmania’s landscape bursts to life in a riot of colour and vitality. Spring is the time to explore the island’s stunning flowers and catch the local wildlife emerging from their winter slumber

What to do in Tasmania in September

• The Tulip Festival on the Table Cape transforms this already stunning part of Tassie into a kaleidoscope of vibrant colour. Grab your camera or iPhone and get tread to tip toe!
• September is the start of wildlife spotting, with the chance to see native animals such as wallabies, wombats, and echidnas emerging from their winter hibernation. Get exploring in nature and spot Tasmania’s unique wildlife in their natural habitat.

• You’re most likely to come across the four-legged locals at Cradle Mountain, remote Maria Island and by hitting the trails in one of Tassie’s many national parks.

What to do in Tasmania in October

• Go penguin spotting on the North West Coast (in Penguin!) or in Bicheno. Spring is when the Fairy Penguins march up the beach just after dusk with food to feed their chicks. Take a red light (not a torch) for best viewing.
• Embark on the ultimate wilderness adventure in the ancient rainforests of the Tarkine. Hike through prehistoric landscapes with experienced trekking guides, from Savage River to the rugged Tarkine Coast. Waterfalls will still be pumping from all that winter rain but the trails have dried out a little by October, making it less boggy to hike in. You’ll also see all the bloomin’ wildflowers!

What to do in Tasmania in November

• Spring is a beautiful time of year for a crisp, sunny morning of sampling the new growing season’s bounty at the Farmgate Market in Hobart. Expect to find fresh local produce, artisanal cheeses, and pastry delights.
• Whale watching off Bruny Island is at its peak in October / November. The best way to see them up close is on the exhilarating full day Bruny Island boat cruise from Hobart. Expect migrating whales, dolphins, seals, cool caves and towering cliffs! Spectacular
• There’s also a whale watching trail called ‘The East Coast Whale Trail” stating at the Tasman Peninsular and stretching all the way up to St Helens. The trail pinpoints prime whale viewing lookouts to catch a glimpse of these majestic creatures gliding by the Island. There are several cruises that depart along the east coast through migratory whale waters.

5 insider trips for an unforgettable trip to Tasmania

Living in Tasmania gives us an insight into how the 4 seasons here really play out, and what experiences are best in each season.

So does hosting our own short stay tiny house accommodation near Cradle Mountain.

We get to see what time of year the tourist peaks occur, and when the island is at it’s busiest and prices their highest. So with that knowledge, here are our 5 tips for an unforgettable trip – cost, weather and experience wise – at the right time of year:

1. Summer is not the best time of year to travel Tasmania

This is a little secret only insiders know.

Why?

The landscape is dry and it’s an expensive time to holiday.

When the landscape is dry here you miss the beautiful green rolling hills and colourful countryside Tassie is so famous for. Instead you get a monochrome brown and a sky of blue.

It’s not as pretty. Or photogenic. It doesn’t have as much of that uniquely “Tasmanian” feel.

You also miss the surging, pounding, powerful waterfall experiences, rushing creeks and lush rainforest of other seasons.

In short, the nature is not as good in summer. And it’s peak tourist season. So there’s less chance of exploring nature trails alone and higher travel costs.

2. Autumn is the best time of year to travel the entire island

In Autumn, the Tassie countryside rejuvenates with a little rain. It’s a time for Autumn leaves of red and orange and gold.

Dawn and dusk horizons are painted in stunning hues of pink, orange and blue.

Landscapes are gorgeously colourful – insta-worthy in fact. If you’re into photography, Autumn is the season to pick for light and colour.

Nights are chilly but not freezing – perfect for a night of wine and cheese around the firepit.

Autumn is peak romance and magic in Tasmania. Where you can get outdoors, explore the trails, pick from amazing produce, hit the coast, but still rug up at night and get our under the stars or fireside.

It’s our favourite time of year for road trips around the entire island because the weather is good everywhere you go.

3. Spring is the worst time to visit Tasmania

Spring is really windy. Not just any wind either. The roaring 40s. A channel between 40° and 50° latitude that passes across Tassie with some of the strongest ongoing winds on the planet.

Winds that can scarper your outdoor activities and have you packing the car to head indoors in a flash. Winds that drop the temperature 4 or 5 degrees below forecast, right when you’re most unprepared.

Coastal walks, lookouts and beach forays are suddenly out of bounds in this weather. High country, like Cradle Mountain and the Central Plateau can be downright miserable.

It’s also still rainy. And for all that, it’s not that cheap a time of year to travel.

Spring is the worst time to visit Tasmania.

But if you are planning a trip, November is the best travel month by a country mile.

4. Winter in Tassie is under-explored

We have fewer guests stay at our tiny house here in winter. The ones that stay are always surprised to the upside. They comment happily about how few people there were at Cradle Mountain. How they had the whole trail to themselves. How beautiful it was under snow or in the mist.

If you’re looking to disconnect and slow down, if you want remote, isolated and alone – winter is unbeatable.

The Central Plateau, Cradle Mountain and Mount Field National park are high country, and where it’s at this time of year.

And that’s another secret that insiders know.

Tasmania does winter well. Both outdoors and in.

Nature here settles comfortably into winter like frozen hands into a pair of soft, old gloves. The whole island takes a breather. Tasmaniacs lean into winter with the wink of an eye for what’s to come. Because life quietens down, heads in doors, get’s intimate and cosy. It’s a chance to gather inside, share a drink around the fire with friends and loved ones. Or to get remote and decompress.

There’s just one thing to know. Avoid the west and the Tarkine in winter – it’s just too wet to enjoy the western wilds that time of year!

5. Seasons really do matter for your travel planning in Tasmania

Unlike much of Australia, seasonality really does impact what you can do and where in Tasmania. Also, what you pack. Not planning well can really put a dampener on your enjoyment of everything Tassie has to offer. And that’s a waste!

Winter is a great example.

If you come in winter, and choose an itinerary through the Central Highlands or want to visit national parks at altitude, you’ll need to make sure your hire car is a 4WD. Roads do close with snow here in Tassie.

If you come in Spring for a coastal getaway, bring a wind proof jacket and be prepared for gale force winds that could keep you off the beaches entirely.

Packing is a ‘four seasons in one day’ equation here. But it’s important to pack well for the season too. I see tourists in thongs up at Cradle Mountain when it’s 8 degrees in summer! They’re unprepared. And they miss all the good stuff because of it.

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