Winter in Hobart may be crisp, but that doesn’t mean the city’s activities come to a halt! The state is hosting various cultural events and food tourism to take full advantage of Tassie’s unique combination of cool weather and warm culture.
Furthermore, there are renowned museums and galleries where you can stay warm, take in the stunning scenery of the snow-covered mountain peaks, and indulge in delectable food, beverage, spirit, and other selections.
What To Expect When You Tour Hobart During The Cold Seasons?
If you’ve never been to Tasmania during the winter months, it may seem strange to plan a vacation there. However, there are many benefits to visiting Hobart during this season:
- Tasmania is home to many winter attractions, such as the fantastic snow-capped peaks, world-class skiing, and the Dark Mofo (the world’s most talked-about festival)
- Tasmania, like all the tourist attraction destinations, receives fewer tourists over the winter months, meaning less traffic, shorter queues, and fewer crowded attractions.
- Accommodation is more affordable in the winter, so you can save a few dollars.
- The best time to see the Aurora Australis is during the winter when the sky is gloomy and the Aurora is most active.
Frequent Questions About Winter In Hobart
Let’s now get to the point and respond to some of the frequently asked questions (FAQs) about winter vacations in Hobart:
When is winter in Tasmania? Winter starts June 1st and lasts August 31st. Tasmania’s climate is unpredictable so it can get snowy in April and sunny in September. There are plenty of “bluebird” days in Hobart during winter.
How cold can Tasmania get? This can vary depending on where you’re from and how cold you find it to be – ‘Cold’ is subjective. On north Tasmania island, the typical high temperature during winter is about 14 ℃ (57℉). In the Island’s South parts, the average high temperature is about 13 ℃ Celsius (55 ℉).
How hard is it to move around Tasmania? You can have a safe self-drive vacation in the winter if you are careful, plan, and watch your pace. If you can help it, don’t drive in the early morning or places that don’t get much sun. These places can be wet and slippery. The best part is that you may have local support 24 hours a day. Call the customer care desk if you experience weather-related problems while driving.
The Places to Visit and Things To Do in Hobart During Winter
Dark Mofo
Mofo in complete means: Museum of Old and New Art: Festival Of Music and Art.
The Dark Mofo winter festival takes place in Hobart every year in June. It looks at generations’ winter solstice traditions and commemorates the dark through food, music, art, film, noise, and light. The famous Mona (Museum of Old and New Art) is organising and presiding over the festival. The eighth winter festival lasted seven nights, from June 16th to June 22nd, 2021. Festival favourites like nightly communal festivities and the solstice swim took place.
The evenings were also filled with live music, art, and pop-up bars all over central Hobart. With the after-dark art route, the festival went to different buildings and unexpected places in the city. This year’s festival also marked the inauguration of Hobart’s first new bell tower in nearly a century, launched during the festivities. The 1800 kg bell was found in the rubble of a Chicago church that had been demolished.
Mona- Museum
Hobart’s famous Mona (Museum of Old and New Art) is just across the river from the city’s centre, and you can take a beautiful 30-minute ferry ride to get to the place. The underground architecture of Mona shows the best and worst of David Walsh’s $110 million private collections on three levels.
Walsh called the collection a “subversive adult Disneyland.” It has everything from the most famed and baffling modern artworks to ancient Egyptian mummies. Mona hosts the Moorilla winery, the Source restaurant, café, bars, and eight hospitality pavilions.
Aurora Australis (The Southern Lights)
Hobart’s proximity to the South Pole makes it an ideal location to see the Aurora Australis, a spectacular natural event. The whole universe is close when colours and flickers appear in the night sky full of stars. The Tasmania aurora spectacle is elusive, and it isn’t sure when the solar winds can make it shine again.
According to expert observers, Hobart is best visited in the winter months, from May to August. These are the best times to catch a glimpse of the Southern Lights. And while It’s possible to see the spectacle in almost every part of Tassie, the best spots are those with unobstructed views to the south.
Experience the Taste of Tasmanian Whisky
Tasmanian Whisky is fast becoming a global phenomenon, with numerous local produce mixes receiving prestigious awards abroad. While in Tasmanian, it would be best to consider travelling the Whisky Trail and stopping at distilleries in Hobart. Moreover, the Tasmanian Whisky Week sessions can be an excellent opportunity to brush up on your knowledge of Tasmanian whiskey.
Tasmanian distilleries, restaurants, bars, and hotel chains are all participating in a week-long fest. Discover what goes on behind closed doors at a distillery, get a chance to speak with the master distillers, taste rare whiskies, and enjoy meals perfectly paired with the selection of bourbons. If you’re feeling under the weather, a few drams of Whisky will do the trick.
Salamanca Place and Markets
Winter’s the ideal time to visit Salamanca Place’s Saturday markets. Toasty locally roasted coffees, scallop pies, and cozy wool throws are available. Salamanca Place is a popular tourist destination with its rebuilt sandstone structures. These Georgian structures, constructed between 1835 and 1860 by convicts, were warehouses along the historic commercial district of Hobart.
They now serve as locations for shops, restaurants, and art galleries. Visit the galleries, theatres, and art museums of the Salamanca Arts Centre, store for antiques and trinkets or eat at any of the eateries along the cobblestone. Each Saturday, the Salamanca Markets hosts over 300 vendors selling everything from handmade jewellery to winter woollens and fresh produce.
Take A Carriage Ride
You’ll get a real treat from a twilight horse-and-carriage trip all over Battery Point or the waterfront region. And as the sound of hooves fills the air, warm up with a cup of warm chocolate and a cozy blanket. Going around this place will give you a glimpse of the old colony days in the Victorian era. The St. George’s Anglican Church and the cottages in Arthur Circus, which used to be homes for army officers after the settlement, are two of the best things to see.
Mt Wellington Summit
Mt Wellington, the city’s most cherished peak, can always be found in some parts of Hobart. It is a natural playground for Hobart’s residents, rich in animals and covered in forests, woods, and alpine habitats. The mountain’s extensive network of walking routes is a terrific way to see the area, carrying tourists past waterfalls, through fern meadows and valleys and opening up spectacular vistas of Hobart in the process.
The Zig Zag Track Lookout Loop to Pinnacle is a popular, short trek for both residents and tourists. You’ll get a taste of Tasmania’s alpine environment and some beautiful views from this short stroll over the plateau from the peak of kunanyi/Mt Wellington. As a result, the mountain is regularly covered with snow, making it a veritable winter paradise. During icy and snowy conditions, the City of Hobart blocks Pinnacle Road, the road to the peak so that no public vehicles may use it.
Cascade Brewery
Cascade Brewery claims to be Australia’s oldest brewery, about five minutes from the city centre. It was built in 1824, and you can view the colonial architecture and magnificent gardens in its colonial architecture. Look around and see how traditional and cutting-edge brewing methods come together at this unique brewery. Test out various craft beer and cider options before dining in the renovated former manager’s home, where you may pair your favourites with your meal.
Indulge In The Foodie Scene
In Hobart, Tasmania’s capital city, there is no better spot to begin your gastronomic journey. It’s only a short walk from the city centre to Battery Point, a historic suburb that dates back to the 1800s. This neighbourhood is renowned for its superbly maintained homes and the best bakery in town.
It’s a bakery-café hybrid, offering a wide selection of bread and pastries and a hearty brunch menu. Hobart has a plethora of restaurants to choose from, with a wide variety of cuisines and pricing ranges to choose from. These include Aloft’s Asian-inspired Tasmanian delicacies, Fico’s inventive Italian tasting menus, and The Brick Factory’s typical pub fare.
