Month guide · Hobart · Australia
Hobart in December
What December is really like in Hobart: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Rob Taylor, CC BY 2.0
Quick answer
December is one of the best months to visit Hobart. Expect average highs of 21°C (70°F), lows of 11°C (52°F), about 10 rainy days and roughly 15.3 hours of daylight. Summer holidays begin and the waterfront fills for the yacht-race finish and New Year's Eve fireworks.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 21°C (70°F) / 11°C (52°F)
- Rainy days
- About 10
- Daylight
- About 15.3 hours
- Sea temperature
- 14°C (57°F)
- Crowds
- Very busy
- Hotel prices
- Highest
Weather in December
December is the 3rd-warmest month in Hobart: days average 21°C (70°F) against a yearly average high of 17°C (63°F), and nights fall to about 11°C (52°F). Rain falls on roughly 10 of its 31 days. Compared with November (19°C (66°F)), December is warmer; by January highs stay near 22°C (72°F).
- Sunrise (15 December)
- About 05:27
- Sunset (15 December)
- About 20:46
- Daylight
- About 15.3 hours
- Sea
- 14°C (57°F)
Autumn (March–May). Calm, settled weather, autumn colour and the golden fagus at Mount Field; crowds and prices fall.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, December rates 5 for crowds (the peak is January at 5) and 5 for hotel prices (highest in January). Book accommodation early: December is one of the pricier months.
Events in 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)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in December
With frequent rain, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Historic site · Salamanca
Salamanca Place
This row of Georgian sandstone warehouses was built in the 1830s and 1840s to store whale oil, grain and wool beside the port.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Architecture
- After dark
Neighbourhood · Battery Point
Battery Point and Arthur Circus
Walk up Kelly's Steps from Salamanca, loop through Arthur Circus and come down via Princes Park for river views.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Architecture
- Couples
- Photo spot
Garden · Queens Domain
Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens
Founded in 1818, the gardens on the Queens Domain slope down to the Derwent and include a Japanese garden, convict-built walls, a vegetable patch and the Subantarctic Plant House, which recreates the climate of Macquarie Island with misting and cool air.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- Nature
- Kids
Historic site · South Hobart
Cascade Brewery
Walk there along the Hobart Rivulet Track from the city, about 45 minutes, and take a bus back.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Food
- Architecture
What to pack
For highs near 21°C, lows near 11°C and 10 wet days: light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; a packable rain jacket for showers; comfortable walking shoes.
Is December a good time to visit Hobart?
One of the best months to visit Hobart, with 2 notable events on the calendar. The other best months are January–March. Compare every month.
Hobart in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is December a good time to visit Hobart?
It is one of the best months to visit Hobart. Summer holidays begin and the waterfront fills for the yacht-race finish and New Year's Eve fireworks.
+How warm is Hobart in December?
Average highs are around 21°C (70°F) and lows around 11°C (52°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Hobart in December?
Expect rain on about 10 days of the month.