There are plenty of places to enjoy snow in Australia – some of the major destinations include the peaks of the Australian Alps like Perisher, Thredbo, Charlotte Pass, Mt Hotham, Falls Creek, Mt Buller, Selwyn, and Mt Baw Baw.
Winter in Australia is unique. While the sun shines on beaches in the north, it's snow time down south. NSW, Victoria, and Tasmania are full of activities and adventures while snow is in abundance.
Australia's alpine region experiences significant snowfall, and this area reaches from Victoria through the New South Wales regions. The aptly named “Snowy Mountains” region has substantial snowfall each winter, as does Victoria's “High Country” region, which is only a few hours drive from Melbourne.
Snow in Melbourne is extremely rare. To experience the snow, head to the Victorian High Country, which receive good snowfall throughout winter. Skiers and snowboarders can hit the slopes at Hotham, Mount Buller and Falls Creek.
Snow in Adelaide is rare. Occasionally parts of South Australia receive a light dusting of snow, including Mount Lofty in the Adelaide Hills. How should I dress for winter in Adelaide? Mornings and evenings can be brisk so make sure to pack a thick, warm jacket.
Temperatures reach their peak in March with an average of 23.4°C (74°F), and dip in winter to 19.4 – 21.3°C (67 - 70°F). Does it snow during winter in Perth? Perth has never recorded snow on the ground.
Snow rarely settles at sea level, however Mount Wellington in Hobart experiences sporadic snowfall during the winter months, and occasionally through autumn and spring. Skiers and snowboarders can get their thrills in the Mount Field National Park, a 90-minute drive from Hobart.
Does it snow during winter in Brisbane? It does not snow in Brisbane, however light snowfall has been reported in southern Queensland, including Stanthorpe on the Granite Belt.
Snow in Sydney is extremely rare. Jindabyne is the gateway to the Snowy Mountains and is a 6 hour drive south of Sydney. Snow can also fall in regional parts of New South Wales including the Blue Mountains, Orange and the Upper Hunter.
Snow actually occurs in Queensland at an average of just over one day per year. So, while not being a typical winter feature, it's certainly not unheard of.
The scarcity of snow in most of Australia's major cities comes down to many things: their location at sea level, their latitude and the lack of land mass.
Climate. Owing to its elevation, Stanthorpe features a subtropical highland climate (Cfb). At an altitude of 811 metres (2,661 ft), Stanthorpe holds the record for the lowest temperature recorded in Queensland at −10.6 °C (12.9 °F) on 23 June 1961.
Oodnadatta, South Australia
Of course we Aussies don't have to travel far to feel the heat, especially during the Australian summer months. The record for the highest official temperature ever recorded in Australia belongs to the remote outback town of Oodnadatta in South Australia.
The weather bureau says about midnight residents at Eukey, south of Stanthorpe, reported snowfall on mountains near the small township. Here on the Gold Coast, a clear night led to near-freezing temperatures with the mercury dropping to 0.6C inland at Beaudesert, 2.9C at Coolangatta and 9.7C at the Gold Coast Seaway.
Does it snow during winter in Canberra? Snow occasionally falls on the capital during winter, however it is not a common occurrence. The Snowy Mountains are a three-hour drive from Canberra and are home to ski resorts including Thredbo, Perisher, Charlotte Pass and Selwyn Snow Resort.
Tasmania is Australia's coldest state overall because it is closer to the polar zone compared to the other Australian states and territories, and experiences more frequent bursts of cold Antarctic air.
So why does Sydney feel so cold right now? Because cold air from the south has brought winter-like weather. ABC meteorologist Tom Saunders described it as a "conveyer belt of cold southerlies", feeding bursts of polar air predominantly across Victoria, New South Wales and Tasmania.
Perth has colder summer nights than Sydney, Brisbane, and Darwin, however, with the highest minimum monthly temperature being 18.4 °C (65.1 °F), in February.
Perth does have a colder winter. Brisbane's rainy season is usually summer, this summer is the exception. Perth's rain usually falls in winter. Perth has lovely beaches.
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.
Melbourne is considered by some to be the best city to live in Australia, and has even been ranked as the world's most livable city more than once. It's home to a thriving live music scene, late-night bars and laneways dotted with cafés and coffee shops.
Tasmania has four distinct seasons (and we love them all).
However, being positioned by the Southern Ocean, the world's weather engine, the climate can vary greatly – on any given day. Average maximum temperatures in summer sit between 17 and 23 degrees Celsius. Winter maximum temperatures are between 3 and 11 degrees.
Climate. Summer temperatures on the Gold Coast are often cooler than Brisbane, with daily maximums rarely exceeding 30 ℃. The cool sea breezes help to combat the higher humidity at this time of year. Short afternoon or evening storms are common during spring and summer.