The Best Time to Visit Tasmania

Looking for the best month to travel to Tasmania? Situated at the very bottom of Australia, this island state is known for its incredible natural landscape and having some of the cleanest air in the world. Not only are there many things to do and places to visit in Tasmania all year round but there is also a profusion of events happening every month. So, if you’re looking for the best time to pick up your campervan hire and take a road trip around this Australian state, it’s worth doing some research into the best time to visit Tasmania that aligns with what you like to do and see.

The weather in Tasmania

Wanting to find out about the best weather in Tasmania? Unlike some parts of Australia, Tasmania has four distinct seasons. So, if you’re wanting to know what months are hot in Tasmania, summer (December-February) is very pleasant, with temperatures at 17-23 degrees Celsius. In contrast, in winter (June-August), the Tasmania weather drops, and you’ll enjoy a fresh 3-11 degrees Celsius.

The shoulder seasons of spring and autumn are a great middle ground with the Tasmania weather averaging 8-17 degrees Celsius. While spring is considered the wettest time of the year in Tasmania, you’ll be pleased to hear that Hobart remains the second driest capital in all of Australia. Autumn is a very pretty time to partake in a Tasmania road trip, with beautiful autumnal trees lining the roads. Whatever time of the year you visit Tasmania, it’s a good idea to pack both light and warm layers as well as ample sun protection.

The busiest time for travel in Tasmania

Due to the warm, dry weather and coinciding with the school holidays, summer is a very popular time to travel across Tasmania. If you’re looking to avoid the crowds and experience a lower-key road trip holiday, spring, autumn, and winter are great times to visit Tasmania.

The cheapest time for travel in Tasmania

As popular times to visit Tasmania often correlate with increased prices. The cheapest time for travel in Tasmania is outside the peak season of summer and outside of the Australian and New Zealand school holidays. Rates at holiday parks are likely to be lower in winter, spring and autumn. If you are travelling Tasmania in summer, you need to be more prepared and you may need to book experiences and accommodation in advance.

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Things to do in Tasmania in Spring

Attend the Tulip Festival

On the second Saturday in October each year, north-western Tasmania bursts into bloom at the Wynyard Tulip Festival. Held at the Table Cape Tulip Farm in Wynyard, this free entry festival celebrates the breathtaking tulips in full bloom alongside an array of food stalls, entertainment, and attractions from across Tasmania. If visiting the Tasmania tulip farm is on your Tasmania things to do list, you’ll want to time your road trip with the spring season.   

Visit Brickendon Historic Farm

Add a history education to your Tasmania travel itinerary with the Brickendon Historic Farm and Convict Village. One of Tasmania’s World Heritage Sites, you can explore this convict-built village including its Gothic chapel, Sussex barns, blacksmith shop and shearing shed. Gain an insight into the life of early convict history in northern Tasmania while the kids will love feeding the friendly farm animals.

Things to do in Tasmania in Summer

Attend Tasmania Taste of Summer

Situated on the Hobart Waterfront and one of the best things to do in the Hobart CBD, the Tasmania Taste of Summer is the must do summer event. Held from late December to early January each year, live music sparks the atmosphere as you work your way through more than 80 food and drink stalls. This ticketed event is free for children under 16 and your single day ticket is valid for multiple entries throughout the day.

Swim at the amazing beaches

We’ll let you in on a secret, Tasmania has some of the most incredible beaches in Australia and one of the best things to do in Tasmania in summer is to cool down with a beach swim. Named by Lonely Planet as the ‘world’s hottest travel destination’ you’ll find the popular Bay of Fires on Tasmania’s east coast. Due to the east coast’s milder climate, this area is also where you’ll likely find the best weather in Tasmania. After you’ve soaked in the beautiful Bay of Fires, head south to the famous Wineglass Bay in Freycinet National Park. Wineglass Bay is considered to be one of the top ten beaches in the world and both spots are must-includes on your road trip travel itinerary.

Things to do in Tasmania in Autumn

Head out for some hiking

Autumn in Tasmania is the best time to take advantage of the cooler Tasmania weather and beautiful fall scenery. Tasmania has over 2,800 km of walking tracks and more than 880 National Park walks to choose from. Some of the best Tasmania hikes include Organ Pipes in Mt Wellington, the Tasmania Overland Track, and the Three Capes Track.

As previously mentioned, Freycinet National Park is one of the main things to see in Tasmania, but this Tasmania tourist attraction isn’t just known for swimming and Wineglass Bay, it also tops the Tasmania hikes list with a challenging 3-hour return hike – but we can assure you the views are worth the output. If you’re looking for more information on Tasmania hikes, see this Hiking and walking in Tasmania guide and if you’re looking further afield our guide to Family-friendly hikes and walks in Australia will help you out.

Visit the wineries

Tasmania weather means its vineyards are thriving. Famous for cool-climate wines and ample vineyards, if you time your Tasmania road trip with autumn, you’ll be arriving just in time for the harvest season. Tamar Valley, located in north Tasmania, is the oldest wine-growing region of the state and is home to 32 wineries that are renowned for their wine-tasting experiences. Secure your Apollo motorhome in one place for the night before enjoying sipping your way through the delectable Tasmania cuisine.

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Things to do in Tasmania in Winter

Attend Huon Valley Mid-Winter Fest

There’s no better way to embrace winter than by attending the Huon Valley Mid-Winter Fest. Just a half-hour from Hobart, Huon Valley is known for its beautiful countryside and flourishing apple orchards. It is this apple-picking history that is the foundation of the festival where locals partake in an old English tradition of wassailing, a ritual designed to rid bad luck and ensure a good apple harvest. Outside of this light-hearted ceremony you can enjoy ample food and drink, music, and fireside storytelling.  

See the Southern Lights

A true bucket-list experience, seeing the Southern Lights is easily one of the best things to do in Tasmania. Your best chance at witnessing the incredible Aurora Australis is in winter. We recommend heading to Mount Wellington or Mount Nelson, both located just an hour's drive outside of Hobart to increase your chance of seeing the sparkling green flickers light up the night sky. Please note that sightings of this ethereal light show can be fleeting, but if you’re one of the lucky ones, you’ll remember it for the rest of your life.

Where to stay in Tasmania

BIG4 Launceston Holiday Park

Award winning for a reason, the BIG4 Launceston Holiday Park is an ideal base for exploring Launceston and northern Tasmania. The kids will be entertained with a playground and a giant jumping pillow while you can make use of the camp kitchen, laundry, and barbecues. Make sure you bring a torch, for each evening an array of wildlife can be spotted from the top of the park.

BIG4 St Helens Holiday Park

Found only 300 metres from the St Helens’ waterfront, BIG4 ST Helens Holiday Park has a range of campervan sites on offer, from powered, unpowered, concrete and ensuite. Only a 30-minute drive from the famous Bay of Fires (one of the best places to visit in Tasmania), here you can enjoy the wood-fired pizza and challenge the kids to a game of table tennis.

Need an itinerary for your Tasmania Adventure?

Let us take the hard work out for you. Now you know the best places to visit and see in Tasmania, it’s time to plan your campervan itinerary. While how many days is enough in Tasmania depends on you, our 11 day Highlights of Tasmania travel itinerary combines the Tasmania attractions and things to do all in the one road trip.

Explore more of Tasmania with Apollo

Hire an Apollo motorhome or camper and discover the best of Tasmania via road trip. Decide what time to visit Tasmania, choose your favourite campervan and book online. You’ll be hitting the road in Tasmania in no time!

Looking for more Hobart attractions and things to do in Hobart? We have you covered:

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-  Things to do in Hobart