Best time to visit · Hobart · Australia
The best time to visit Hobart
Weather, crowds, prices and events for every month, so you can pick the trip that suits you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Barrylb, Public domain
Quick answer
The best time to visit Hobart is December to March, when days are long and mild, festivals fill the waterfront and the sea is at its warmest. Autumn (April–May) brings calm weather and fewer crowds, while June is worth it for Dark Mofo if you can handle the cold.
Key facts
- Best months
- December–March
- Shoulder season
- April–June and November
- Warmest month
- January (avg high 22°C (72°F))
- Coldest month
- July (avg high 12°C (54°F))
- Rainiest month
- August (~12 rainy days)
- Lowest hotel prices
- August
Seasons
Hobart has a cool temperate oceanic climate: mild summers rarely above the mid-20s, cold winters with snow often on the mountain but rarely in town, and fairly even rainfall. It is one of Australia's drier capitals, but weather changes quickly.
December–February
Summer
Warm, long days with highs around 21–22°C, yacht-race celebrations and festivals; the busiest and priciest season.
March–May
Autumn
Calm, settled weather, autumn colour and the golden fagus at Mount Field; crowds and prices fall.
June–August
Winter
Cold, short days with snow on the mountain, but Dark Mofo in June and cosy pubs make it a distinctive time to visit.
September–November
Spring
Blossom, tulips and lengthening days, though windy, showery weather is typical until November.
Month by month
Long-term averages (rounded). Crowds and prices are relative, 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest). Daylight is sunrise to sunset on the 15th.
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Sea | Daylight | Crowds | Prices |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 22°C | 12°C | 8 | 15°C | 15 h | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| February | 22°C | 12°C | 7 | 16°C | 13.8 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| March | 20°C | 11°C | 8 | 15°C | 12.5 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| April | 17°C | 9°C | 9 | 14°C | 11 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| May | 15°C | 7°C | 9 | 13°C | 9.7 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| June | 13°C | 5°C | 10 | 12°C | 9 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| July | 12°C | 4°C | 11 | 11°C | 9.3 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| August | 13°C | 5°C | 12 | 11°C | 10.4 h | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| September | 15°C | 6°C | 12 | 11°C | 11.9 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| October | 17°C | 8°C | 12 | 12°C | 13.4 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| November | 19°C | 9°C | 11 | 13°C | 14.7 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| December | 21°C | 11°C | 10 | 14°C | 15.3 h | 5/5 | 5/5 |
Yearly events
Recurring dates shift from year to year; confirm with the organiser before you book.
| Month | Events |
|---|---|
| January | Taste of Summer food festival on the waterfront (usually late December to early January); Hobart International tennis (usually early January) |
| February | Royal Hobart Regatta (usually around the second Monday of February); Australian Wooden Boat Festival (biennial, February in odd-numbered years) |
| April | Fagus season in Mount Field National Park (usually late April to May) |
| June | Dark Mofo — MONA's winter-solstice festival (usually mid-June) |
| July | Festival of Voices (usually July) |
| December | Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race finish at Constitution Dock (from about 27–29 December); New Year's Eve fireworks over the Derwent (31 December) |
Cheapest and quietest times
Hotel prices are usually lowest in August, and the sights are quietest in August.
What to pack
| Season | Pack |
|---|---|
| Summer | Layers, a warm sweater and a jacket for cool evenings; A compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Autumn | Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Winter | Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Spring | Layers, a warm sweater and a jacket for cool evenings; A compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; Comfortable walking shoes |
Questions travellers ask
+What is the best month to visit Hobart?
The best time to visit Hobart is December to March, when days are long and mild, festivals fill the waterfront and the sea is at its warmest. Autumn (April–May) brings calm weather and fewer crowds, while June is worth it for Dark Mofo if you can handle the cold.
+When are hotel prices lowest in Hobart?
Usually in August. Cold and quiet, with the year's lowest prices; good for museums, whisky bars and cosy pubs.
+What is the rainiest month in Hobart?
August, with about 12 days of rain on average.
+How hot does Hobart get?
The warmest month, January, averages highs of 22°C (72°F) and lows of 12°C (54°F).