Lexi Webster
Australia is known for its hot summers and warm outback, but during winter in the Northern Hemisphere, it transforms into a winter wonderland. Snow in Australia is rare at sea level, but it can be found in 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, with popular destinations including Cradle Mountain, Lake St. Clair National Park, and Victoria's Mount Hotham. While snow is uncommon in most parts of Australia, certain regions experience significant snowfall, and the Australian snow season varies from year to year.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Snow in Tasmania | Snow is more common in southern and southwestern Tasmania, where it occurs on a near-annual basis during the winter and early spring months. Coastal towns like Dover feature 2.3 snow days per year. Launceston in the northeast receives snowfall rarely, with snow falling in 1951, 1986, 2015, and 2020. |
| Snow in New South Wales | The Snowy Mountains, located in NSW and Victoria, experience significant snowfall. The lowest known snowfall in NSW occurred in Hay in 1936, and snow has been observed in higher parts of Toowoomba and Stanthorpe. |
| Snow in Victoria | Snow is common in the mountainous regions of northeast Victoria, with Mount Hotham in the Victorian Alps being a popular ski resort. |
| Snow in Queensland | The Darling Downs and Granite Belt in Southeast Queensland occasionally receive snowfall, with heavy falls recorded in 1960, 1974, 1984, 2007, and 2015. The most northerly occurrence of snow was on the Bunya Mountains. |
| Snow in South Australia | Mount Gambier, only 60 meters above sea level, experienced snow in 1951 and 1932. |
| Snow in Northern Territory | Light snow fell on Uluru in 1997, the most northerly verified snowfall in Australia. |
| General Snow Trends | Snow is rare at sea level in mainland Australia but is common in the highlands of the southeast. Canberra and Hobart are among the state capitals that experience snow. The Australian snow season varies year-to-year, with a declining trend in maximum snow depth observed in recent decades due to increasing temperatures and decreasing cold frontal systems in winter. |
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What You'll Learn
Snow in Tasmania
The two main ski resorts in Tasmania are Ben Lomond and Mount Mawson. Ben Lomond is the highest visitable area in Tasmania at 1453 metres and is about an hour and a half drive from Hobart. It offers tobogganing, snowman building, snow basketball, and skiing for beginners and intermediates. Mount Mawson is also about an hour and a half drive from Hobart and is one of two Tasmanian ski fields.
Mount Wellington, also known as Kunanyi, is another great place to see snow in Tasmania. It is a huge mountain, 1200 metres tall, that is very close to Hobart. It is the first thing you see when you drive into the city, and it only takes 30 minutes to reach its summit. The temperature at the top is usually 10°C colder than in Hobart, and strong winds are common, so warm clothing is recommended. Mount Field is home to the other Tasmanian ski field and can be accessed via the spectacular 'Jacob's Ladder', a series of hairpin bends and switchbacks up the mountainside.
Other places to see snow in Tasmania include Cradle Mountain Lake St Clair National Park, Mount Field National Park, The Central Highlands, and The Hartz Mountains National Park. These areas offer fantastic sights and heavy snow, with landscapes almost untouched by civilisation.
While snow is common in Tasmania, climate change has substantially reduced natural snowfall in Australia, threatening the viability of the ski industry. Observations in 2024 showed a declining trend in maximum snow depth over the past 70 years, with a downward tendency of about 0.4–0.6 cm per year since 1954.
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Snowy Mountains in NSW and Victoria
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 experience significant snowfall for several months of the year, with snow cover usually melting by November. The range is home to Australia's five tallest peaks, including the tallest, Mount Kosciuszko, which reaches a height of 2,228 m (7,310 ft) above sea level. The Snowy Mountains offer a range of activities, including skiing, snowboarding, mountain biking, fishing, and hiking.
The Snowy Mountains also extend into Victoria, forming the Victorian Alps of the Great Dividing Range. Victoria's Mount Hotham, located in the Victorian Alps, is a popular ski resort offering downhill runs, cross-country trails, jumps, and terrain parks. The resort features ski-in and ski-out accommodation and 13 lifts. The Alpine Way and Snowy Mountains Highway are the major roads through the Snowy Mountains region.
The Australian snow season varies from year to year, and observations show a declining trend in maximum snow depth over the past few decades due to increasing temperatures and decreasing cold frontal systems in winter. Climate change has substantially reduced natural snowfall and opportunities for snowmaking at Australian resorts, particularly at lower elevations, impacting the ski industry.
In addition to the Snowy Mountains, there are other places in Australia where snow can be found. Snow is rare at sea level but is more common in the highlands of the southeast, including Tasmania and the Australian Capital Territory. Cities like Orange and Ballarat experience annual snowfalls. In Tasmania, places like Ben Lomond, Launceston, and Dover experience snowfall, with Dover featuring 2.3 snow days per year.
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Snow in Queensland
The Granite Belt and Darling Downs regions are where snow is most likely to occur in Queensland. Stanthorpe is a good base for seeing the snow in this area, and snow has also been recorded in Eukey, The Summit, and Mount Mackenzie nearby. In 2015, snow was recorded in several areas of Queensland, including Eukey, where there was up to 8 centimetres of snow, and Brisbane, where snowflakes were spotted. This was the first snow in the state since 2013.
The most northerly occurrence of snow in Queensland was on the Bunya Mountains, just below the 27th parallel. In 1984, up to a metre of snow fell in the Granite Belt region, most notably around Stanthorpe, and was the most significant snowfall in Queensland in over 80 years. Snow was also recorded at Mount Tamborine and Mount Glorious, and in Brisbane itself.
While snow is rare in Queensland, when it does snow, many people pack up their cars and head for the Queensland snow line to build a snowman, throw snowballs, and enjoy a glass of wine by the fireside.
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Snow in South Australia
The most reliable snowfall in Australia can be found in the neighbouring state of Victoria, in the Snowy Mountains and the Australian Alps, which provide a genuine skiing experience. Victoria's Mount Hotham, located in the Victorian Alps of the Great Dividing Range, is a perfect destination for snow sports enthusiasts. The ski resort offers downhill runs, cross-country trails, jumps, terrain parks, and ski-in, ski-out accommodation.
In Tasmania, snow is more common in the southern and southwestern parts of the state, occurring nearly every year during the winter and early spring months. Launceston in the northeast receives snowfall on rare occasions, and Dover, a coastal town in the southern fringe of Tasmania, features 2.3 snow days per year. The highest visitable area in Tasmania is Ben Lomond, which offers picturesque views and plenty of snow activities for kids and beginner to intermediate skiers.
In New South Wales, the Snowy Mountains, and the elevated regions of the Brindabella Range, experience an alpine climate with consistent winter snowpack. Kiandra, Cabramurra, and Perisher Valley receive a significant number of snowy days annually.
Overall, while snow in South Australia is rare, it does occasionally occur in the higher elevations of the Adelaide Hills and Mid-North region during the winter months. For a more guaranteed snow experience, the neighbouring state of Victoria and parts of Tasmania and New South Wales offer better options.
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Snow in Melbourne
Victoria's alpine resorts, located to the north-east of Melbourne, are a popular choice for snow enthusiasts. Mt Baw Baw Alpine Resort, renowned for its downhill ski area, is the closest snowfield to Melbourne, making it a favourite among day-trippers and families. Lake Mountain, a 2-hour drive from the city, is another excellent option, offering 300 hectares of terrain for skiing, snowboarding, and tobogganing. It is also the third most visited cross-country alpine resort globally.
For those seeking a longer journey, Mt Buller, Victoria's premier and most accessible snowfield, is a 3-hour drive from Melbourne. Mt Buller offers a range of activities, including skiing, a cinema, and the On High Alpine spa. The mountain also boasts the National Alpine Museum of Australia, displaying vintage ski equipment and clothing.
If you're an experienced skier looking for more challenging terrain, Mt Hotham, located 375 kilometres from Melbourne, is the highest Victorian ski resort. It is known for its double black diamond terrain and 320 hectares of snow fields. Falls Creek, Victoria's largest ski resort, is another option located at a similar distance from Melbourne. It is renowned for its reliable snow cover and cross-country trails.
While snow in Melbourne itself is uncommon, the surrounding regions offer a range of winter experiences to suit all travellers, from budget-friendly day trips to extended getaways.
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Frequently asked questions
Snow in Australia is rare at sea level, but is common on the highlands of the southeast, in the states of New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania and in the Australian Capital Territory.
The Snowy Mountains, colloquially known as The Snowies, are a popular destination for snow sports. The ski resort of Mount Hotham in the Victorian Alps of the Great Dividing Range is another option.
Victoria and NSW are known for their incredible slopes and resorts open from June to October. The cities of Orange and Ballarat feature annual snowfalls and populations of over 40,000 and 100,000 respectively.
Cradle Mountain, Lake St. Clair National Park, and Ben Lomond are all popular destinations for snow activities in Tasmania.
Yes, snow has been recorded in every state and territory of Australia, although it is much rarer on the east coast of Tasmania and the Northern Territory.
