The coolest state in Australia, in terms of lower temperatures and colder winters, is Tasmania, often called "Tassie," with its capital Hobart being Australia's coldest major city, experiencing genuine cold and even occasional snow in winter, though Victoria (especially the Alps) and Canberra (ACT) also offer distinct cold seasons and chilly nights, appealing to those who prefer cooler climates over Australia's typical heat.
Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania generally experience cold to freezing winters and warm to hot summers, with a few exceptions (Tasmania gets colder than the other states listed due to its proximity to Antarctica).
As the world's closest gateway to Antarctica, Tasmania has a well-earned reputation for being cold. Winters here range between an icy three to 12 degrees, while summer temperatures rarely climb above 20 degrees – which, if you're not from Australia, is chilly compared to the mainland.
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Here's when and where Australia's record high temperatures were set. According to BoM data, drawn from observation sites across the country, towns in Western Australia and South Australia share the national heat record, with temperatures of 50.7 °C recorded at Oodnadatta in 1960 and Onslow in 2022.
New South Wales (NSW)
NSW has four clear seasons when it comes to climate. However, the size of the state does mean that conditions can be quite different from one place to another.
What are the most popular places for British expats to live? Top choices include Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide. Each offers a different lifestyle, climate, and cost of living. Regional areas may offer better value for money and relaxed pace of life, particularly for families or retirees.
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New South Wales (NSW) and Victoria provide greater business, financial, and information technology opportunities. Western Australia (WA) and Queensland (QLD) excel in mining, engineering, and healthcare. South Australia (SA) is becoming more welcoming to skilled migrants through its regional migration streams.
Yes, $70k is a fair salary in Australia, often near the median income, making it a decent living for a single person, especially outside major cities, but it can be tight in expensive areas or for those with high living costs like mortgages, with full-time averages now closer to $90k-$100k.
Based on overnight temperatures in the depths of winter, Australia's coldest town is Cooma in southern New South Wales. During July, the town — known as the "capital of the Snowy Mountains" — averages minus 2.6 degrees Celsius at night, and -2C at the airport, according to figures from the BOM.
Fairbanks, Alaska
With a minimum average temperature of about minus 17 degrees Fahrenheit, Fairbanks takes the cake as the coldest city in the U.S. The northernmost major city in Alaska, Fairbanks has seen record cold temperatures reaching minus 66 degrees in the past.
It's official! Adelaide is the happiest city in Australia, and one of the happiest in the world! 🙌 We ranked #29 globally in the Happy City Index across six categories - environment, economy, mobility, citizen wellbeing, health and governance.
Yes, Canberra is significantly colder than Melbourne, especially in winter, with much colder minimum temperatures that often drop below freezing, while Melbourne's coastal location keeps its winter nights milder, though its wind can make it feel harsh. Canberra's higher elevation and inland location contribute to its crisp, dry, colder winters with sunny days, contrasting with Melbourne's more moderate but damper cold and quicker temperature swings, notes The Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Quora users, and the Bureau of Meteorology.
The Snowy Mountains region in the south-east falls in the alpine climate or subpolar oceanic climate zone, with cool to cold weather all year around and regular heavy snowfalls in the winter and spring.
The former town of Aberfeldy averages 32.5 snowy days per annum at 1,060 metres (3,480 ft), making it the snowiest locality in mainland Australia, in addition to having more snowy days than northern hemisphere cities with colder winters like Boston (23.0 days), Chicago (28.2 days) and even approaching those of ...
Which state in Australia has the lowest crime rate? Tasmania and the Australian Capital Territory are considered among the safest because of crime rates below the national average.
Melbourne is often considered Australia's cultural capital, with a vibrant arts scene, numerous art galleries, and numerous festivals throughout the year. On the other hand, Brisbane offers a more laid-back lifestyle, with its vibrant cultural scene centred around Queen Street Mall, South Bank, and the Brisbane River.
Western Australia (WA) is generally considered Australia's richest state, consistently topping economic performance rankings due to its strong mining sector, high exports (especially iron ore), and significant economic growth, leading in metrics like Gross State Product (GSP) per capita and overall economic strength.
Toorak – The Undisputed Richest Suburb in Melbourne
From multi-million-dollar mansions to elite private schools and exclusive shopping strips, it has long been regarded as the richest area in Melbourne. Toorak is also home to Australia's wealthiest business leaders, celebrities, and international investors.
There's no single "most beautiful" town, but Richmond, Tasmania, often tops lists for its historic Georgian architecture and colonial bridge, while Noosa, Queensland, and Byron Bay, NSW, are famous for stunning beaches and vibrant vibes, and coastal towns like Esperance, WA, and Port Fairy, VIC, are celebrated for breathtaking natural beauty, making your choice depend on whether you prefer history, coast, or countryside charm**.
Adelaide is famous as Australia's "Festival City" due to its world-renowned arts events like the Adelaide Fringe and WOMADelaide, alongside its reputation for being a highly liveable city with a relaxed pace, exceptional food and wine (proximity to Barossa Valley), beautiful parklands, a unique "20-minute city" feel, and a strong cultural scene, earning it nicknames like "City of Churches" and a UNESCO Creative City designation.
Yes, $100k is generally considered a strong salary in Australia, placing you above the average (which hovers around $90k-$108k for full-time, but median is lower) and allowing for a comfortable life, though its impact depends heavily on location (major city vs. regional) and personal expenses like housing and dependents, as high living costs in cities like Sydney can stretch this income further than in regional areas.
No, Australia is not 90% white; while a large majority identify with European ancestry (around 76-80% in recent years), a significant and growing portion identifies as Asian, African, Middle Eastern, or Indigenous, making it a highly multicultural nation with diverse ethnic backgrounds, not overwhelmingly white. Recent census data shows European ancestry (English, Irish, etc.) makes up a large chunk, but Asian ancestries are also substantial, with over 17% Asian population and around 3.8% identifying as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, per the 2021 census data from Wikipedia.
Hobart, Tasmania, is widely recognized as the cheapest major city, but smaller regional towns in Queensland and South Australia can offer even lower living costs.