Lyla Lindsey
Australia is known for its hot summers and warm outback, but it does snow in certain parts of the country. While snow is rare at sea level, it is common on the highlands of the southeast, in the states of New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia, and the Australian Capital Territory. Snow has been recorded in every state and territory, though among the state capitals only Canberra, Hobart, and Melbourne have recorded snow. The Australian alpine region experiences significant snowfall, with the Snowy Mountains region in New South Wales and Victoria's High Country region receiving substantial snowfall each winter.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| States with snow | New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, Australian Capital Territory, South Australia, Queensland, Western Australia |
| Cities with snow | Canberra, Hobart, Melbourne, Orange, Ballarat, Fern Tree, Namadgi, Thredbo Village, Mount Hotham, Perisher |
| Regions with snow | Snowy Mountains, High Country, Adelaide Hills, Flinders Ranges, Stirling Ranges, Granite Belt |
| Resorts with snow | Corin Forest Mountain Resort, Mount Hotham Resort, Thredbo Resort, Perisher Resort |
| Snow activities | Skiing, snowboarding, dog sled tours |
| Snow frequency | Rare at sea level, common in highlands of southeast |
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What You'll Learn
Snowy Mountains, NSW
The Snowy Mountains, also known as "The Snowies", is an IBRA subregion in southern New South Wales, Australia. It is the tallest mountain range in mainland Australia, and is part of the continent's Great Dividing Range. The Snowy Mountains contain Australia's five tallest peaks, all of which are above 2,100 metres (6,890 ft), including the tallest, Mount Kosciuszko, which reaches 2,228 metres (7,310 ft) above sea level. The Snowy Mountains experience large natural snowfalls for several months of the year, with significant accumulation during May, June, July, August, September and October. The snow usually melts by November, but it can persist through summer and into the following autumn.
The Snowy Mountains are considered a centre of the Australian ski industry during the winter months, with all four snow resorts in New South Wales being located in the region. The range is also host to the mountain plum-pine, a low-lying type of conifer. The Snowy Mountains are a popular destination for skiing and snowboarding, with Qantas and Rex offering flights to Snowy Mountains Airport from Sydney and Brisbane. The region also offers music festivals, wine tasting, and heritage sites for visitors to enjoy.
The Snowy Mountains are characterised by their alpine woodlands, with snow gum, montane and wet sclerophyll forests occurring across the ranges. Large stands of alpine ash and mountain gum can also be found. The Byadbo wilderness area in the south of the Snowy Mountains is dominated by dry sclerophyll and wattle forests. The mountain range is thought to have been occupied by Aboriginal people for 20,000 years, with large gatherings held during the summer for collective feasting on the Bogong moth.
The Snowy Mountains offer a range of outdoor activities for visitors, including hiking, biking, fishing and riding. The region is known for its charming heritage buildings, hearty meals, and country hospitality. Visitors can also enjoy spectacular scenery and nature, with bushwalking being a popular activity in the warmer months. The Snowy Mountains Airport is located just 15km southwest of Cooma, making it a convenient destination for travellers.
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Victorian Alps, VIC
Snow in Australia is rare at sea level, but it is common on the highlands of the southeast, in the states of New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, and the Australian Capital Territory. Snow sports are well-established in Australia's southeast and Tasmania, though climate change has reduced natural snowfall.
The Victorian Alps, located in Victoria, is also known as the "High Country". The region is subject to major bushfires and has been almost entirely burnt through on various occasions, notably Black Thursday in 1851, Black Friday in 1939, and during fires in 2003 and 2006-2007. The Victorian Alps include the Bogong High Plains, which is one of the largest areas of snow country in Australia. It includes the leading resorts of Falls Creek and Mount Hotham. Recreational and practical skiing was being practised in the Victorian Alps by the 1880s and 1890s, with skis made from local timbers. Skiing began at Mount Buffalo in the 1890s, and Australia's first ski tow was constructed near Mount Buffalo in 1936.
Mount Bogong, with its peak at 1986 m above sea level, is the highest peak in Victoria. The Victorian Alps also include Mount Buffalo, which has a ski tow and a chalet constructed in 1910. The average annual snowfall in Victoria is 56".
The Australian Alps were not formed by two continental plates colliding, unlike other high mountain ranges. Instead, they consist of a high plateau with softer rolling hills spread across a long, wide plateau that was lifted thousands of feet up by the movement of magma when Gondwana began to break up between 130 and 160 million years ago. During the Pleistocene ice age, small glaciers were formed on the very highest parts of the Australian Alps, mostly in the vicinity of Mount Kosciuszko. While no glaciers remain today, evidence of their past presence can be found in the numerous tarns and cirques in that region, such as Club Lake, Blue Lake, and Hedley Tarn.
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Tasmania
Other places to see snow in Tasmania include Butlers Gorge, Lake St Clair, and the Central Highlands, which feature 27.1, 33.1, and 41.8 snow days a year, respectively. In the Central West, the regional city of Orange receives an average of 3.9 snowy days per year. Smaller towns in the region that receive snow annually include Blayney, Millthorpe, and Oberon, which sees an average of 6.2 snowy days per year.
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Australian Capital Territory
The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) is known for its cold winters. Canberra, the capital of Australia, is located in the ACT and has a chilly winter climate, with temperatures ranging from 0°C to 12°C in July. Snow falls in the ACT, although it is more common in the surrounding regions than in Canberra itself. The nearby Snowy Mountains, Brindabella Range, and Victorian Alps experience an alpine climate, with areas above 1,400 meters subject to consistent winter snowpack. The ACT's higher mountains to the west remain snow-covered for much of the winter and early spring.
While snow in Canberra is not a frequent occurrence, it does happen occasionally, with light snow falling once every few winters. The surrounding regions, however, experience more significant snowfall. The Monaro region to the south of Canberra, including towns such as Cooma, Bombala, and Nimmitabel, receives regular snowfall, with Nimmitabel experiencing eight snowy days annually. The regional city of Goulburn, as well as towns like Gunning and Yass, also experience occasional snowfall. The northern and northwestern parts of the region, including Crookwell and Taralga, witness moderate to heavy snowfalls most years.
The ACT is part of the Australian snow belt, which extends from Victoria through New South Wales. The Snowy Mountains region, located in both NSW and Victoria, experiences substantial snowfall each winter. Victoria's ""High Country" region, located a few hours' drive from Melbourne, also receives significant snowfall. Mount Hotham, the highest resort in Victoria, is known for its natural beauty and generous snowfall. It is located about four and a half hours' drive from Melbourne.
The ACT provides opportunities for winter activities and snow sports. Kosciuszko National Park in the Snowy Mountains is home to the famous Thredbo ski resort. The village of Charlotte Pass, located within the park, is the highest resort in the Snowy Mountains and boasts the highest annual snowfall of any ski resort in Australia. Although it is not accessible by car, visitors can reach Charlotte Pass by taking an over-snow buggy from the Skitube.
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South Australia
Snow in South Australia is a rare occurrence. However, there have been two known instances of snow in Mount Gambier, in 1932 and 1951. Snow has also been recorded in the Adelaide Hills, though this is a rare phenomenon. The Adelaide Hills are the closest place to the city of Adelaide where one might see snow, though it is uncommon. Mount Lofty may also experience a light dusting of snow during cold winter months, but this is also unusual and tends to melt quickly.
While snow is rare in the state capital of Adelaide, it is more common in the regional areas of South Australia. The Flinders Ranges, for example, experience snowfall in September. The Mid-North region also sees snow occasionally.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, it snows in Australia. Snowfall is common on the highlands of the southeast, in the states of New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, and the Australian Capital Territory.
Australia's alpine region, which spans from Victoria through the New South Wales regions, experiences significant snowfall. The Snowy Mountains region in New South Wales and the High Country region in Victoria are known for substantial snowfall each winter. Tasmania also receives heavy snow annually above 600 meters (2,000 ft).
Among the state capitals, Canberra, Hobart, and Melbourne have recorded snow. However, it is much more common in the surrounding regional areas. For example, the cities of Orange in New South Wales and Ballarat in Victoria experience annual snowfalls.
Snowfall typically occurs during the winter months in Australia, from June to August.
