Best time to visit Hobart

Best for: more daylight hours, wildflowers, waterfalls and whale watching

Spring weather is mild, with daytime temperatures ranging from 10-17°C. The days also start getting longer, which is much welcomed after the dark winter nights.

Wildflower season arrives in September and there's a gorgeous smell of blossom in the Botanical Gardens. Spring is the wettest season (although Hobart is still the second-driest city after Adelaide), so it's a good time to see waterfalls in Mt Field National Park, a 90-minute drive from Hobart. October and November are also the best months to spot humpbacks on their annual migration back to Antarctic waters.

Best for: beach days, Taste of Summer, Mona Foma and extended daylight hours

Hobart shines in the summer – both literally and metaphorically. The weather is dry, temperatures hover in the mid to high 20s, and there's a real buzz about town. Alfresco diners spill onto the waterfront, pleasant temperatures are ideal for hitting the walking trails, and the evenings are lovely and long (read: perfect for sampling local wine with friends).

Hit the beach during the day before making your way back to the city to enjoy live music and summer-inspired restaurant menus. The city also hosts a bunch of events in the summer, including the annual Taste of Summer (a much-anticipated event for foodies) and Mona Foma (run by the weird and wonderful MONA museum). As summer is peak season, we recommend booking accommodation in advance.

Best for: autumn foliage, Tasmanian Wine Festival and smaller crowds

Tassie is one of the best places in Australia to see autumn foliage. Stunning golden displays take over Southern Tasmania's parks and gardens including Mt Field National Park. The temperature is still fairly mild, particularly at the beginning of the season, and there's a good vibe about town with locals out squeezing the last drops of warmth and daylight before the winter arrives.

One of the main events in autumn is the Tasmanian Wine Festival in the Botanical Gardens. Sample some of Tassie's best drops, feast on delicious food and enjoy live entertainment.

Best for: brisk walks, rugging up around a fire and seeing the Aurora Australis

Winter temperatures range from 3-12°C, but it often feels colder due to the southerly winds. Embrace winter with brisk walks followed by a glass of red (or local whisky) in one of the city's many cosy watering holes. Nights draw in as early as 4 pm around the winter solstice, but the dark skies offer some of the best opportunities to glimpse the elusive Aurora Australis.

It's rare for snow to fall at sea level, but there is occasionally a light dusting on Mt Wellington. There’s heavier snowfall in the Central Highlands, Cradle Mountain, Mt Field and the Hartz Mountains.