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Australia is known for its sunny beaches and warm climate, but the country does experience cold temperatures in certain regions. From snow-capped mountains to frosty tundras, Australia is home to various areas where you can experience winter wonderlands. The coldest state in Australia is Tasmania, an island off the southern coast, with a yearly average temperature of 13.5°C and 84 rainy days annually. The town of Liawenee in Tasmania is the coldest permanently inhabited place in Australia, with a record low of −14.2 °C.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Coldest State | Tasmania |
| Coldest temperature recorded | -2.8°C or 27.0°F in 1972 |
| Average winter temperature | 12-16°C (53-61°F) |
| Average summer temperature | 24-26°C (75-79°F) |
| Average annual temperature | 13-17°C (55-63°F) |
| Coldest months | June, July, and August |
| Snowfall | Rare, but occurs in mountainous regions |
| Ski resorts | Yes, several locations including Ben Lomond, Mount Mawson, and Mount Field |
| Winter activities | Skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, and winter festivals |
| Cold-adapted wildlife | Tasmanian devil, wombat, Tasmanian bettong, and eastern quoll |
| Unique climate features | Maritime climate with cool summers and mild winters, influenced by ocean currents |
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What You'll Learn
The coldest inhabited place in Australia
Australia is famous for its sunny beaches and warm weather, but it also has several cold places that surprise many. The coldest inhabited place in Australia is Liawenee, a small town in Tasmania. It was established on 11 June 1920 as a camp for workers at a nearby hydroelectric plant and their families. The town's name is derived from a Tasmanian Aboriginal word meaning "frigid".
Liawenee is located in the central Tasmanian mountains, along the Lake Highway, and is surrounded by mountains such as Split Rock, Willow Run Hill, Headlam Hill, and McDowall Hill, the tallest of them all. The town is built near Great Lake and the River Ouse and is known for its exceptional fishing, hosting several trout fishing events.
Due to its high-elevation location in the far south of Australia, Liawenee has a rare cold-summer Mediterranean climate. February temperatures range between 4 and 17 °C (39 and 63 °F), which is colder than most mainland Australian winters south of Geraldton in Western Australia. The coldest day on record was on 23 July 2016, when the temperature did not rise above −2.1 °C (28.2 °F). A record low of −14.2 °C (6.4 °F) was recorded on 7 August 2020, the lowest temperature ever recorded in Tasmania and the lowest daily minimum temperature in Australia for that year.
Liawenee and the surrounding Miena Dam experience annual mean maximum temperatures of 12.2 °C (54.0 °F) and 10.3 °C (50.5 °F), respectively, making them among the coldest permanently inhabited places in Australia. Within Tasmania, only the uninhabited summits of Mount Wellington (Kunanyi) and Mount Read record lower annual mean maximum temperatures.
While Liawenee is the coldest inhabited place in Australia, other towns and cities in Australia also experience cold temperatures. For example, Cooma in southern New South Wales experiences an average temperature of -2.9 °C in winter, and Mount Buller, nestled in Victoria's Great Dividing Range, can see temperatures as low as -10 °C. Additionally, Tasmania, the southernmost state, offers a refreshing respite from the scorching heat found elsewhere in Australia, with summer average temperatures hovering around 20-25 °C.
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Coldest cities in Australia
While Australia is known for its sunny beaches and warm climate, the country does experience frigid temperatures in some regions. Here are some of the coldest cities in Australia:
Hobart, Tasmania
Hobart is a gorgeous city nestled on the water in Tasmania. It is known for its cool temperatures and stunning natural beauty. With temperatures often dipping below freezing in winter, Hobart is a great choice for those seeking a cold Australian destination.
Canberra, Australian Capital Territory
Canberra is another cold city in Australia, known for its chilly nights. While the days can be pleasant and sunny, the nights can drop to freezing temperatures. The city's proximity to the mountains and desert areas contributes to its cold climate.
Liawenee, Tasmania
Liawenee is a small town in Tasmania, known as the coldest permanently inhabited place in Australia. With a population of just a few people, Liawenee offers a unique experience of chilly temperatures and exceptional fishing opportunities at the nearby Great Lake.
Thredbo, New South Wales
Thredbo is a charming alpine village located in New South Wales. With average winter temperatures hovering around 0°C, Thredbo offers a range of winter sports activities, including skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, and tobogganing.
Mount Buller, Victoria
Mount Buller is a ski resort town nestled in Victoria's picturesque Great Dividing Range. With temperatures dropping as low as -10°C, Mount Buller is one of the coldest cities in Australia. Despite the cold temperatures, the town offers a cozy and enjoyable atmosphere for visitors.
These cities offer a unique and fascinating experience for those willing to brave the cold and explore the winter wonderlands of Australia. Each city has its own charm, from the refreshing chill of Collinsvale to the snow-covered landscapes of Mount Buller.
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Tasmania's climate
Tasmania has a cool, temperate climate with four distinct seasons. The warmest months are December, January, February, and March, with summer temperatures averaging between 17 and 24 degrees Celsius. However, heatwaves can push temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius. The coldest month is typically July, with winter temperatures ranging from 3 to 11 degrees Celsius.
Rainfall in Tasmania varies significantly, from 506 millimetres in Ouse to 2,690 millimetres in Cradle Valley. The western coast of Tasmania is the wettest part of the state, benefiting the rainforest. The eastern portion of Tasmania is relatively drier due to the föhn wind effect, increasing the risk of fires.
Hobart, the capital city, has a mild temperate oceanic climate with the second least daily average hours of sunshine in Australia. While snow is uncommon in Hobart, the adjacent Mount Wellington often experiences snowfall and has even recorded snowfalls in summer.
Liawenee, located on the Central Plateau, is one of the coldest permanently inhabited places in Australia. Its high-elevation location in the far south gives it a rare cold-summer Mediterranean climate, with February temperatures ranging from 4 to 17 degrees Celsius. The coldest temperature recorded in Liawenee was -14.2 degrees Celsius on 7 August 2020, the lowest in Tasmania and Australia for that year.
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Snowy Mountains
While Australia is famous for its sunny beaches and warm weather, it is also home to several cold places. The Snowy Mountains in New South Wales is the coldest region in the country, where snow and ice persist for several months of the year. The Snowy Mountains experience significant snowfall during May, June, July, August, September, and October, with the snow cover usually melting by November. However, in some years, the snow can persist through the summer and the following autumn. The region is considered a centre of the Australian ski industry, with all four snow resorts in New South Wales located in the Snowy Mountains.
The Snowy Mountains offer a range of outdoor activities and attractions for visitors. During the winter months, the region is a popular destination for skiing and snowboarding enthusiasts, with some of the best slopes in the country. The mountain range is also home to the mountain plum-pine, a low-lying type of conifer. In the warmer months, the Snowy Mountains transform into an adventure playground, offering activities such as hiking, mountain biking, horse riding, and fishing. The region also boasts charming heritage buildings, cosy country pubs, and spectacular scenery for nature lovers and those seeking relaxation.
The Snowy Mountains have a long history, with evidence suggesting Aboriginal occupation for over 20,000 years. Large gatherings were held in the High Country during the summer for collective feasting on the Bogong moth. Europeans first explored the region in 1835, and in 1840, Edmund Strzelecki ascended Mount Kosciuszko, naming it after a Polish patriot. High country stockmen also used the Snowy Mountains for grazing during the summer months. Recreational skiing began in the nearby town of Kiandra in the 1860s and experienced a boom in the 20th century with the construction of the Snowy Mountains Hydro-Electric Scheme, which brought many European workers to the area.
The Snowy Mountains are a popular destination for those seeking a mountain retreat and a unique Australian experience. With its cold climate, natural snowfalls, and range of outdoor activities, the region offers a refreshing change from the typical warm weather associated with Australia. The Snowy Mountains showcase a different side of Australia's diverse landscape and provide an unforgettable experience for visitors all year round.
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Australia's coldest state during summer
Australia is known for its sunny beaches and warm weather, but it has its fair share of cold places too. The coldest state in Australia during the summer is Tasmania, an island state off the southern coast. The summer season in Australia lasts from December to February, and during this time, Tasmania offers a pleasant break from the scorching heat found in the rest of the country. The average summer temperatures in Tasmania hover around 20-25 degrees Celsius, with inland areas around Launceston reaching up to 24 degrees Celsius.
Within Tasmania, the town of Liawenee, located on the Central Plateau, is one of the coldest permanently inhabited places in Australia. Its high-elevation location in the far south of the country gives it a unique cold-summer Mediterranean climate. In February, the temperatures in Liawenee range from 4 to 17 degrees Celsius, which is colder than most mainland Australian winters. The town's name is derived from a Tasmanian Aboriginal word meaning "frigid," reflecting its chilly climate.
Another notable cold place in Tasmania is Mount Wellington (Kunanyi), which has a lower annual mean maximum temperature of 7.8 degrees Celsius.
Outside of Tasmania, there are also some cold destinations on the Australian mainland during the summer. The Victorian Alps in the eastern and central regions of Victoria constitute the coldest climate of that state. The average maximum temperatures in the highest parts of the ranges are below 0 degrees Celsius even in winter, so they remain chilly throughout the year.
Additionally, the Snowy Mountains in the Snowy Mountains region experience long winters with snow and ice, making them one of the coldest areas in Australia during the summer months.
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Frequently asked questions
Tasmania is the coldest state in Australia, with cooler temperatures year-round.
Canberra and Hobart compete for the title of Australia's coldest city.
The Snowy Mountains in NSW is the coldest region in Australia.
Liawenee, a small town in Tasmania, is the coldest permanently inhabited place in Australia.
The lowest minimum temperature was −23.0 °C (−9.4 °F) at Charlotte Pass in the Snowy Mountains in 1994.
