Many people have to walk during the main holiday period--December to February. The peak season has its advantages, such as relatively fine weather, (though March and April are sometimes more settled) however other times of the year have the big advantage of there not being many other walkers trying to 'get away from it all'.
Seasons
Below are some of the seasonal highlights:
Summer (December till February)
Warm weather!--well, at least some of the time. Days of 30° C are possible, but be warned you will still need your 'woollies' (white Christmases are not uncommon!)--be prepared for sun and snow. This is also the peak period so, if you are after the solitude of the wilds, summer may be a good time to avoid the more popular routes.
Autumn (March till May)
'Fagus'--the golden-orange autumn colours of the deciduous beech (Nothofagus gunnii) make autumn a photographer's delight. Fagus is Tasmania's only deciduous tree, it usually changes colour around the Anzac Day holiday (April 25) or a fortnight or so either side.
Winter (June till August)
Snow--there are few more beautiful sights than snow on the jagged mountain peaks. Winter days, though cold, are often crisp and clear, especially in the morning. However you will need all your warm protective clothing. Be prepared for snow and to be holed up during blizzards, sometimes for days.
Spring (September till November)
It usually rains. However even in the rain the new flush of growth and the burgeoning rivers make this time of year very beautiful--but again remember your wet weather gear.
Weather
The weather is one of the most common topics of conversation amongst bushwalkers. Western Tasmania is notorious for glorious, sunny, summer conditions one minute followed by squalls, bucketing rain and often snow the next.
The tables below show weather data averaged over the last 50 years. The data comes from two gauging stations within the World Heritage Area, Maatsuyker Island at sea level off the south coast and Cradle Valley at 914 metres above sea level in the North. Bear in mind that these figures are only averages, for example at Cradle Valley in January 1987, 294 mm of rain fell, in January 1988, 45 mm fell. There is no guarantee of good weather even if you go in the driest month, so be prepared!
