If you’re not from Australia then you might be surprised to hear that it does actually snow in Australia.
Whilst it doesn’t snow in the ‘outback’, it does snow in New South Wales, Victoria, and Tasmania, so there are plenty of places to choose from in the winter.
How often does it snow in Australia?
Snow in Australia tends to come around most years and during the winter which is between June and August in Australia due to it being in the Southern Hemisphere.
Snow is recorded in Australia most years and snowfall tends to vary by location but areas such as the Snowy Mountains in New South Wales and High Plains in Victoria tend to see snowfall most years.
Where does it snow in Australia?
As mentioned above, there are three key regions where you’ll likely find snow in the winter, however, there are some very popular tourist areas for you to explore during your visit to Australia if you want to see some snow.
Thredbo, NSW
If you love your snow sports such as skiing and snowboarding then Thredo has everything you need.
Located about 5 to 6 hours south of Sydney and 6 to 7 from Melbourne, Thredbo Village is a popular destination during the winter and is home to the longest ski run in Australia, the Thredbo Superfall.
Perisher, NSW
An hour’s drive from Thredbo, Perisher is home to the largest ski resort in the Southern Hemisphere and has four ski resorts for you to choose from including Smiggin Holes, Blue Cow, Guthega, and Perisher Valley itself.
Thankfully, you can move between the valleys via Perisher Valley’s 47 lifts or using the Skitube which allows you to travel to, from and around Perisher.
Charlotte Pass, NSW
Located at the base of the Mount Kosciuszko summit walk, Charlotte Pass is Australia’s oldest and highest ski resort.
The resort is a lot smaller than some of the villages’ such as Thredbo so offers a more intimate experience although less ski slopes.
Mount Buller, VIC
Mount Buller is the most popular ski resort in Victoria and for good reason. It has 300 hectares of snow for you to ski, 20 lifts, three terrain parks, and is just 3 hours outside of Melbourne.
Falls Creek, VIC
Located east of Mount Buller, Falls Creek is a beautiful ski field that is located in Victoria’s High Plains.
About a 4.5 hour drive from Melbourne, Falls Creek has the largest skiing/snowboarding terrain in Victoria and snows from May/June to September/October giving you plenty of chances to see the snow.
Mount Hotham, VIC
West of Falls Creek, Mount Hotham has Australia’s highest alpine village and has some beautiful views, over 300 hectares of skiable terrain, and is just 4.5 hours from Melbourne.
Unlike the other ski resorts in Australia, Mount Hotham is located at the top of the mountain as opposed to the base of the mountain offering spectacular 360 views of the mountains.
Does it snow in Sydney?
Unfortunately, snow in Sydney is a very rare occurrence and the last recorded snowfall in Sydney was back in June 1836 according to the ABC. So, your chances of seeing snow in Sydney and around the opera house are extremely low and your best bet is to travel to the Blue Mountains or Snowy Mountains which record much colder temperatures.
Does it snow in Melbourne?
Yes, it has snowed in Melbourne before with the city seeing snow in 1986 according to news.com.au. However, if you want to see snow in Victoria your best bet is to travel to the regions mentioned above during winter.
Does it snow in Western Australia?
Western Australia is known for its blistering heat and it has recorded snowfall.
The latest recorded snowfall in Western Australia was in 2021 and in Bluff Knoll located in the southern part of the state.
In Summary
Yes it does snow in Australia, but as you can see, if you want to see snow your best bet is to travel to the southern part of the country and into high altitude areas.