What's on in Hobart (Tasmania), Australia through the year

Peak crowds — Sydney to Hobart finish, Summer holidays in Australia

Nothing new starts in January.

Still on: Bushfire season (1 Dec – 15 Mar (usually)), Sydney to Hobart finish (26 Dec – 3 Jan)

Busy — Australian Wooden Boat Festival

• Festival

  Australian Wooden Boat Festival

  4–10 Feb · usuallyMajor festivalCrowded

  Every second year, in odd years, the whole waterfront fills with wooden boats and tall ships for four free days. In the even years the docks are just docks. Source ↗

Still on: Bushfire season (1 Dec – 15 Mar (usually))

Busy — one of its best months for weather

• Nature

  Aurora australis

  1 Mar – 30 Sep · usually

  Tasmania faces the pole, so a strong geomagnetic storm shows from the south-facing beaches below the city. The long dark nights and the weeks around the equinoxes are the usual chance.

Still on: Bushfire season (1 Dec – 15 Mar (usually))

Busy — Autumn / Easter break in Australia, school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in April.

Still on: Aurora australis (1 Mar – 30 Sep (usually))

Quiet — one of its worst months for weather

• Season

  Snow on kunanyi

  15 May – 15 Oct · usuallyClosures

  The mountain above the city takes snow several times a winter and the summit road gates shut when it does. It usually clears by afternoon, and half of Hobart drives up to stand in it.

Still on: Aurora australis (1 Mar – 30 Sep (usually))

Peak crowds — Dark Mofo, Winter (July) break in Australia

• Festival

  Dark Mofo

  11–22 JunMajor festivalCrowdedBook early

  A fortnight of art, fire and late nights around the winter solstice, ending with a swim at dawn. It is the one time of year the city is full in the cold, and beds go months out. Source ↗

Still on: Aurora australis (1 Mar – 30 Sep (usually)), Snow on kunanyi (15 May – 15 Oct (usually))

Busy — Winter (July) break in Australia, school holidays in 3 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in July.

Still on: Aurora australis (1 Mar – 30 Sep (usually)), Snow on kunanyi (15 May – 15 Oct (usually))

Shoulder season — school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it, an ordinary month

Nothing new starts in August.

Still on: Aurora australis (1 Mar – 30 Sep (usually)), Snow on kunanyi (15 May – 15 Oct (usually))

Busy — Spring break in Australia, school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in September.

Still on: Aurora australis (1 Mar – 30 Sep (usually)), Snow on kunanyi (15 May – 15 Oct (usually))

Busy — Spring break in Australia, school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in October.

Still on: Snow on kunanyi (15 May – 15 Oct (usually))

Shoulder season — an ordinary month

Nothing new starts in November.

Peak crowds — Sydney to Hobart finish, Summer holidays in Australia

• Hazard

  Bushfire season

  1 Dec – 15 Mar · usuallySmoke season

  A dry spell in the highlands can put smoke over the Derwent for days and close the walking tracks around the city. The fire service publishes the danger rating by region each day. Source ↗

• Festival

  Sydney to Hobart finish

  26 Dec – 3 JanChristmas & New YearCrowdedBook early

  The leaders reach Constitution Dock about two days out of Sydney and the rest trickle in for a week, into a waterfront food festival that runs through New Year. Source ↗