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Western Australia is known for its sunny skies and warm weather, but it does occasionally experience snowfall. The occurrence of snow in Western Australia is extremely rare, with an average of 1.7 snowfalls per year. The last time it snowed in Perth, the capital of Western Australia, was in 1910, and before that in 1836. However, in 2021, Western Australia recorded its fifth snowfall of the year, equal to the second-most on record. The snow fell on Bluff Knoll, the highest peak of the Stirling Range in the Great Southern region of Western Australia. Bluff Knoll is one of the few places in Western Australia to experience regular snowfalls, with some snow reported in most years.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Average number of snowfalls per year | 1.7 |
| Average temperature during snowfalls | 2-4 degrees Celsius |
| Most recent snowfalls | August 2022 |
| Previous snowfalls | April 2019, 2016, 1992, 1970, 1923, 1910, 1836 |
| Locations of snowfalls | Bluff Knoll, Stirling Range National Park, Perth, Geraldton |
| Average height of snowfalls | 20 centimetres |
| Average time taken to hike to snowfalls | 2 hours each way for fit people |
| Average winter temperature in Perth | 12.1°C |
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What You'll Learn
Snow in Perth, Western Australia
Perth, the capital city of Western Australia, has a Mediterranean climate, with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. Snow is uncommon in Perth, with no snow ever recorded in the Perth CBD. However, light snowfalls have been reported in the outer suburbs of Perth, such as Kalamunda, Roleystone, and Mundaring, with the most recent snowfall occurring in 1968.
The climate in Perth varies throughout the year. Summer, from December to February, is hot and dry with very little rainfall. Autumn, from March to May, brings warm, sunny days and cooler nights, with occasional showers. Winter, from June to August, is mild and wet, with temperatures ranging from 8°C to 19°C. While snow is rare in the city itself, the hills behind Perth have experienced snowfall, and the nearby Bluff Knoll is one of the few places in Western Australia to experience regular snowfalls.
Bluff Knoll, the highest peak in the Stirling Range, is located in the Great Southern region of Western Australia. It is the coldest place in the state, with winter means comparable to those of Canberra. Snow has been recorded on Bluff Knoll multiple times, including in April 1970, October 1992, and April 2019, making it the earliest recorded snow event in a calendar year in Western Australia.
Perth's weather can be unpredictable, with wild storms and strong winds occasionally lashing the city. In February 2024, a strong cold front moved through, bringing heavy rain and leaving some homes without power. While snow is uncommon in Perth itself, the surrounding regions, including Bluff Knoll, can experience snowfalls during the colder months.
Overall, while snow is rare in Perth, Western Australia, it is not unheard of in the outer suburbs and nearby regions. The city experiences a diverse range of weather conditions throughout the year, from hot, dry summers to mild, wet winters, with the occasional surprise of snow in the surrounding areas.
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Snow in Stirling Range National Park
The mountain's formation is a result of the separation of Australia and Antarctica, with the rifting process squeezing sediments against the Yilgarn block and forcing them upwards to create the range. The rocks in the range are mostly sedimentary, including sandstone, quartzite, slate, and shale.
Due to its elevation, Bluff Knoll is the coldest place in Western Australia. While summers are mild, winters can be cold by Australian standards, with average lows at the summit sometimes reaching freezing temperatures. The area experiences more precipitation in winter, although individual precipitation events tend to be heavier in summer.
In 2025, hikers reported a light dusting of snow on Bluff Knoll, attracting visitors from as far as Perth. This snowfall occurred in July, which is winter in the southern hemisphere. However, snow has been recorded in other months as well. For example, in 2019, a flurry was recorded on the peak in April, making it the earliest recorded snow event in a calendar year in Western Australia.
While snow is not a common occurrence in Stirling Range National Park, it does happen occasionally, and hikers are often eager to catch a glimpse of this unusual sight in Western Australia.
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Snow on Bluff Knoll
The mountain is often shrouded in a mist that curls around the peaks and floats into the gullies. This mist is said to be the home of a spirit named "Noatch" ("dead body" or "corpse" in the Noongar language). The main access to the base of the walk trail is from Chester Pass Road. The Bluff Knoll trail is a round trip of about 6 kilometres (4 mi) and takes three to four hours. It has a grade 4 rating of climbing difficulty, with some steep and rough steps.
Bluff Knoll is the coldest place in Western Australia. Summers are mild, while winters are cold by Australian standards. The average August lows at the summit likely brush freezing, with maxima frequently beating the 5.6 °C (42.1 °F) state record low. More precipitation is recorded in winter, though individual precipitation events tend to be heavier in summer.
Snow on 20 April 1970 was recorded in Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) records. A heavy snowfall was recorded on 6 October 1992, with 20 centimetres of snow falling and light snow seen at the base at 450 metres (1,480 ft). Snow fell on three occasions in 2016, after only falling once in 2015. A flurry was recorded on the peak after 2:00 pm on 19 April 2019, the earliest recorded snow event in a calendar year in Western Australia.
Snow forecasts for Bluff Knoll are available online, providing updates on ski conditions, snow depths, and piste and off-piste conditions.
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Snow in Western Australia's coldest places
Western Australia averages 1.7 snowfalls per year, with records dating back to April 1970. While Perth has never recorded snow, snowfalls have been recorded in the hills behind it and as far north as Geraldton.
Bluff Knoll, in the Stirling Ranges, is the coldest spot in Western Australia. It is the highest peak in the range, at 1,099 meters (3,606 ft) above sea level. The mountain was formed as Australia broke away from Antarctica, and the local Aboriginal people, the Mineng and Koreng/Goreng sub-groups of the Noongar Nation, call it Boola Miyel or Pualaar Miial, meaning 'great many-faced hill' or 'many eyes'. Winters on Bluff Knoll are cold by Australian standards, with average lows at the summit likely brushing freezing. Snow is reported in most years, with heavy snowfalls recorded in October 1992 and April 2019.
Other cold places in Australia include the Snowy Mountains, Mount Hotham, Tasmania, and Lithgow. Tasmania's central highlands and the Australian Alps, including the Snowy Mountains in New South Wales and the Victorian Alps, also receive snow.
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Snow in other parts of Western Australia
While Perth rarely sees snow, other parts of Western Australia do experience snowfall. The Stirling Range in the Great Southern region of Western Australia, which includes Bluff Knoll, receives snow once or twice a year on average. Bluff Knoll is the coldest place in Western Australia, with summer temperatures mild and winter temperatures cold by Australian standards. The average August lows at the summit likely brush freezing, with maxima frequently beating the 5.6 °C (42.1 °F) state record low.
In 2022, Bluff Knoll experienced snow in August, with hikers braving freezing temperatures to witness the snowfall. In 2021, Western Australia recorded its fifth snowfall of the year, the second-most on record. Snow has also been recorded in the hills behind Perth and as far north as Geraldton.
Bluff Knoll is the highest peak in the Stirling Range, standing at 1,099 meters (3,606 feet) above sea level. The mountain is one of the few places in Western Australia to experience regular snowfalls, with some snow reported in most years. The local Aboriginal people, the Mineng and Koreng/Goreng sub-groups of the Noongar Nation, call the mountain "Boola Miyel" or "Pualaar Miial," meaning "great many-faced hill" or "many eyes," due to its distinctive rock formations.
The Stirling Range was formed as Australia broke away from Antarctica, with the two continents pivoting slightly and squeezing sediments against the Yilgarn block, forcing them upwards to create the range. The rocks in the range are mostly sedimentary, including sandstone, quartzite, slate, and shale. The trail to the summit of Bluff Knoll is about 6 kilometers (4 miles) round trip and is rated as a challenging day walk with a grade 4 climbing difficulty.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, it does snow in Western Australia, although it is rare. Snow usually falls on Bluff Knoll, the coldest place in Western Australia and the highest peak of the Stirling Range in the Great Southern region. Western Australia averages 1.7 snowfalls per year.
It has snowed in the hills behind Perth, as far north as Geraldton, and in the Stirling Range National Park.
It is extremely rare for it to snow in Perth, the capital of Western Australia. The occurrence of snow in Perth has only been recorded a few times, the last time being in 1910 and before that in 1836.
