Does It Snow in Australia? Snowiest Places and Average Amounts

Australia is known for its tropical beaches, diverse wildlife, and lush rainforests. The enormous country (and continent) doesn’t get a lot of cold weather, especially in the tropical north.

Still, most states in Australia experience all four seasons and it can get quite cold in the southern portion of the country. So does it ever snow in Australia? Read on to find out.

Does It Snow in Australia?

Yes, it snows in Australia. However, Australia is one of the largest countries in the world, so the climate varies throughout its regions. Some areas of the country do not receive snowfall and have a semi-tropical or Mediterranean climate.

Other regions experience a significant amount of snow and all four seasons. On The Snow reports that Australia gets an annual average snowfall total of 73 inches. Let’s dive into some of the snowiest places in the country.

The Snowiest Places in Australia

Australia is divided into six states, but not all of them receive snowfall. In fact, only four of Australia’s states get any snow, with the majority of snowfall located in the mountainous regions and certain parts of Tasmania.

Adelaide Hills (South Australia)

South Australia encompasses some of the most arid parts of the country, as well as the city of Adelaide. The state is known for its cultural experiences. Visitors and locals enjoy partaking in food and wine, world-class art museums, and exciting sporting events.

The climate is Mediterranean, with warm summers and cool winters. Most of the major cities, such as Adelaide, won’t experience much snowfall. However, regions with higher elevations, including the Adelaide Hills and the Mid-North region, do often get a light dusty of snow in the winter months.

Snowy Mountains (New South Wales)

New South Wales (NSW) is a state in Australia that contains the important city of Sydney and the country’s capital, Canberra. The state is located in the southeastern portion of the country and is known for its coastal cities and national parks.

Weather in New South Wales is typically quite mild, with residents enjoying a year-round sub-tropical climate, with warm semi-tropical summers, according to World Travel Guide. Snowfall in cities such as Sydney is rare, though not unheard of.

However, the coldest region in the state of NSW is the Snowy Mountains, which is a part of the larger Australian Alps. Aptly named, the Snowy Mountains commonly experience snow and frost throughout the winter. In fact, Insider Guides reports that the Snowy Mountains receive an average of 1.9 meters (or 74.8 inches) of snowfall annually.

Victorian Alps (Victoria)

In the United States, we might think of the southern part of the country as being the warmest portion, but that’s not the case in Australia. Victoria experiences chillier weather than the more northern Australian states.

The state is also home to the Victorian Alps. Like the Snowy Mountains, the Victorian Alps are a part of the Australian Alps Mountain Range. The Victorian Alps are a popular spot for snow sports such as skiing and ice skating in the winter.

In Victoria, the snowy season typically falls between June and August. The average annual snowfall throughout the state is around 65 inches, though you can expect the majority of that snow to be located in the mountains.

Tasmania

Tasmania is an island state located 240 kilometers south of mainland Australia. It has four distinct seasons, with cold winters and warm summers. However, the winter months in Tasmania are May-August, while the summer months are December-March.

There are several places to experience snow in Tasmania. According to tasmania.com, the small fishing town of Liawenee is generally regarded as the snowiest place in the state. Liawanee typically receives 41.8 snowy days each year.

Other snowy destinations include Ben Lomond and Mount Mawson, which are popular destinations for downhill skiing and snowboarding. Cradle Mountain in the Central Highlands of Tasmania also receives a significant amount of snow.

Summary of the Snowiest Places in Australia

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