I lived in Australia for 18 years, moving between the states of Victoria and New South Wales, so I know better than most the answer to the question ‘Does it snow in Australia’.
The answer is yes, it does, especially in the alpine regions of New South Wales, Tasmania, and Victoria.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick rundown of this post:
- The Australian Alps get an average of 70-150 inches of snow annually, though this is inconsistent.
- Australia Isn’t entirely a hot country like people sometimes think! It can get very hot, but also very cold.
- Australia has a full ski season with 15 ski resorts.
- A few of the best places to see snow are The Snowy Mountains, Oberon, and Cradle Mountain. Read ahead for the full list!
Does it snow in Australia?
Yes, it does snow in Australia, and quite a lot too. Australia’s alpine regions across New South Wales, Tasmania, and Victoria get consistent and significant snowfall every year. In other parts of Australia like South Australia and the Australian Capital Territory, snow is rare, but it does happen.
When does it snow in Australia?
When it snows depends on where you are, and though most snow comes in the winter months between June 1st and August 31st, there are certainly outliers.
In my hometown of the Blue Mountains, it’s not uncommon for snow to come in September or even October. Whereas in areas like the Snowy Mountains, snow can start to fall as early as May. But the best chance to see a significant amount of snow, including In these areas, remains between June and August.
How much does it snow?
While the myth that Australia sees more snow than Switzerland isn’t true, the Australian Alps still get a good average of 70-150 inches of snow per year.
However, the snow can be unpredictable. The 2023 snow season was notably low, with snow readings peaking at just 51 inches (130cm) in Spencer’s Creek (New South Wales). Whereas in 2022, readings reached 91.33 Inches (232cm) in the same area.
In Tasmania, the small island south of the mainland It usually only snows 13 cm (5.1 inches) in a year, with snowfall being sporadic during the winter months.
Is snow common?
It depends on the area, but in places like the Australian Alps, Mount Kosciuszko, Victorian ‘high country’, and Tasmanian alpine areas, snow is common and comes around every year.
The chances of you finding snow in big cities like Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth are almost 0. The last time Melbourne’s CBD saw any real snowfall was back in July 1986, and Sydney has only seen it twice on record.
In the north and center of Australia, snow is just as uncommon. Though amazingly, it snowed in Uluru on 11 July 1997, proving it can even snow in the Red Center!
Isn’t Australia a hot country?
But Isn’t Australia a hot country? Well, due to Australia’s huge landmass, It has many different climates.
The hottest temperature ever recorded in Australia was in 2022 in Western Australia, at an awful 50.7 degrees °C ( 123.26 F). However, Australia is not just a hot country. On the other side of the spectrum, the coldest temperature ever recorded was a freezing −23.0 °C (-9.3 F) in 1994.
On average, temperatures lie around 15-26 °C in winter, and 15-30 °C in summer. However, if you plan on traveling to Australia it is much more important to look at individual areas than the country as a whole. This is because Australia has such a large landmass and a diverse range of climates, some parts of Australia may be 40+ degrees in summer, and some -10 degrees in winter, so it depends.
Living in Australia for most of my life, I have experienced all types of weather. In just my small hometown, I have been at 34 °C and -5 °C! So though Australia can reach very high temperatures and is renowned for its massive desert, it is not just a hot country.
What is the best place to see snow in Australia?
The Snowy Mountains, NSW
The Snowy Mountains in Australia’s Great Dividing Range is my favorite place to see snow in Australia, and your best chance.
The mountain range is home to all 5 of Australia’s highest peaks, and 3 of my favorite ski resorts: Thredbo, Perisher, and Charlottes Pass. It usually has the most snow in the country in winter (70+”) and tends to melt around October.
The Snowy Mountains are a 5 hr 29 min (492.0 km) drive from Sydney and a 6 hr 30 min (549.4 km) drive from Melbourne. But If you’re committed, you’re pretty much guaranteed to see snow during the winter months.
The Victorian Alps, VIC
The Victorian Alps (aka, High Country), make up the second half of Australia’s Great Dividing Range and offer some of the best snow-spotting in Australia. The area is just a few hours drive from Melbourne, covering 5,199 km 2 , with an average snowfall of 60″.
The best place to see snow in the Alps is usually considered Mt Hotham, especially around July- August when snow levels (and the ski season) reach their peak. Visitors must pay a resort entry fee to visit Hotham, and with such a long drive the best idea could be to stay for a few days to truly experience the snow. Check your accommodation options here!
the Blue Mountains, NSW
I spent 17 years living in the Blue Mountains, and although it doesn’t snow as much as it does in other parts of Australia, its closeness to Sydney (just 2 hours away) puts it on the list.
The average snowfall in the Blue Mountains is only a few cm, and though people like to say you can get up to 5 days of snow per year, that is not true, 4/5 of those days have so little snow you could blink and miss it. In reality, you’re lucky to get 2.
However, if you’re lucky enough to be nearby, the Blue Mountains are worth visiting when they snow, as they become a winter wonderland.
Keep in mind that every time it snows in the Blue Mountains, thousands and thousands of cars block the one highway trying to get up from Sydney. The snow melts quite fast, usually by the late afternoon. So if you’re lucky enough to be in Sydney when it snows in the Mountains, I recommend taking the train over driving.
Oberon, NSW
Oberon is a 1.5-hour drive west of Katoomba, and although the elevation is only 100 meters higher it gets more snow. I still remember being young and waking up thinking it would be snowing, only to hear that it’d skipped the Blue Mountains but was snowing in Oberon.
The reason so few people go to Oberon when it snows is that it’s hard to access. A train ride from Sydney to Oberon usually takes between 3-4 hours with a change in Lithgow. But driving isn’t much easier, as roads from Sydney to the Blue Mountains become almost standstill traffic every time it snows, and backroads can be dangerous in frosty conditions.
Cradle Mountain, TAS
Tasmania has some amazing snow-spotting, just like the mainland. And the best place to see snow in Tasmania is Cradle Mountain. The peak is one of the country’s most beautiful mountain areas, and under snow, it becomes a winter wonderland.
Snowfall is pretty consistent in Cradle Mountain, but to check if there’s snow on the ground it’s best to look at the Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service webcam.
Don’t forget to get a park pass, as it is mandatory for exploring Tassie’s national parks. Grab your park pass here. Cradle Mountain was my favorite thing I saw while visiting Tasmania, and you certainly don’t want to miss it covered in snow.
What is the Ski Season in Australia?
The ski season in Australia starts every year around June/July and ends in September/October. However, ski seasons here can be unpredictable.
The 2023 season started strong in June, but by July warm weather and rain forced quite a few of our biggest resorts to close or innovate to keep runs open. But as I mentioned before, the 2022 season saw almost double the snow. So if you’re planning on skiing in Australia, make sure you keep an eye on predictions beforehand.
Overall, for the best chance of good skiing, I recommend going in July or August. These two months are the coldest and usually have double the snow cover of June or September.
What are the best ski resorts?
I’ve done a good bit of skiing around the world and around Australia, and in my opinion, these are Australia’s best ski resorts!
Thredbo
Thredbo boasts Karel’s T-Bar, Australia’s highest lifted point- and It’s longest longest ski run, the 5km long Crackenback Super Trail. But apart from being tall and wide, Thredbo has some of the best skiing and snowboarding in Australia and is where I spent a lot of time skiing growing up.
Thredbo also has Australia’s only alpine gondola, which will take you high above the snowy wonderland for the best view of the snow. On top of this, Thredbo has many other experiences and activities, from snowcat rides to firework shows, a skatepark to bungee trampolines.
Thredbo is a 5 hr 20 min (493.2 km) drive from Sydney and a 6 hr 29 min (548.3 km) drive from Melbourne.
Perisher
Perisher is the biggest ski area in the Southern Hemisphere, with 4 main resorts: Perisher Valley, Blue Cow, Smiggin Holes, and Guthega. Perisher boasts over 3,000 acres of skiable terrain, 47 lifts, 7 mountains, 7 terrain parks, and over 100 routes- that’s a lot to explore!
The park is family-friendly, with ski/snowboard routes ranging from very easy to very difficult. The resort offers night skiing, fireworks, and a lively nighttime atmosphere outside regular snow sports. I always love going to Perisher, as there are endless things to do.
The resort is a 5 hr 25 min (491.6 km) drive away from Sydney, and a 7 hr 25 min (608.2 km) drive from Melbourne. And while it’s not close, it’s worth all the effort.
Mt Hotham
Hotham has been crowned the best resort for advanced skiers and snowboarders, with about 40% of the mountain considered ‘advanced’. But there’s even more than skiing/ snowboarding at Hotham. Be whooshed along by huskies on a sled ride, or hop on the back of a snowmobile for an activity-packed day in the snow.
The mountain is famous for its more interesting and aggressive terrain in comparison to the rest of the country, making it even more popular among the country’s better snow sports athletes.
Mt Hotham is a 7 hr 54 min (707.4 km) drive from Sydney and a 4 hr 32 min (376.4 km) drive from Melbourne. Making it the best option if you’re staying in Victoria.
Charlottes Pass
Charlotte’s Pass gets the most snow out of any resort in Australia and is more of an experience than anything else. It’s about the definition of ski in-ski out, with no car access, you’ll have to get a snow buggy to and from the resort. This also means you won’t find the crowds you do at Thredbo, Hotham, or Perisher.
If you’re looking to ski or snowboard more peacefully in Australian nature, Charlottes Pass might be for you. The resort is a 5 hr 32 min (500.3 km) drive from Sydney and a 7 hr 33 min (616.9 km) drive from Melbourne.
The Wrap-Up: Does It Snow in Australia?
So does it snow in Australia? Yes, despite the common misconception, many areas in Australia experience snowfall every year. Alpine regions throughout New South Wales, Victoria, and Tasmania have regular snowfall in the winter months and a regular ski season which draws people from all around the country.
So if you plan on visiting Australia between June and September, you’ll be able to see snow. So make sure you pack some gloves!
