December is one of the best months to be in Tasmania. Summer has arrived, the days are long and mild, the island is green, and almost everything is open. It is also a busy month, so the tours and rental cars that matter most are worth locking in early. This guide covers the weather, what to pack, how to get around, what to book ahead and a short itinerary you can build from tours we have handpicked.
TL;DR
- Weather: Hobart averages a December high of 20.3°C and a low of 10.8°C, so expect mild days and cool evenings, not beach heat.
- Pack layers: a light jacket, a warm layer and a rain shell cover almost every December day, especially on the coast and in the mountains.
- Book ahead: Cradle Mountain, Bruny Island and Port Arthur style day trips, plus rental cars, fill early around Christmas and the Sydney to Hobart finish.
- No car, no problem: day tours from Hobart and Launceston cover the big highlights without you driving a kilometre.
- Give it time: four to seven days lets you see Hobart plus two or three headline regions without rushing.
Table of Contents
- What Tasmania is really like in December
- December weather in Hobart
- What to pack
- Pros and cons of visiting in December
- Getting around Tasmania in December
- Things to do in Tasmania in December
- With kids in December
- What to book ahead
- How many days do you need?
- A five-day December itinerary built from tours
- Book your December tours with Aussie Loop
- FAQ
- Sources
What Tasmania is really like in December
December is early summer in the south. Mornings can start cool and clear, afternoons soften into pleasant warmth, and the evenings cool off again. It is not the sort of heat you plan your day around. It is walking weather, boat weather and long-lunch weather.
That suits the island. Tasmania’s draw is its wild coastline, its mountain lakes, its farm gates and its seafood, and all of it works better when you are comfortable outdoors.
If you are coming from the mainland, especially from the tropical north, brace for the contrast. Tasmanian summer is gentler than Brisbane or Cairns, and you will still want a jacket after sunset.
December weather in Hobart
The most useful single number is Hobart’s. Tourism Australia’s Hobart climate table puts the December average maximum at 20.3°C and the average minimum at 10.8°C, with 57 mm of rain over 13 rainy days.
In practice that means:
| What you will meet | What it means for your plans |
|---|---|
| Average high of 20.3°C | Comfortable for walking, markets and boat trips |
| Average low of 10.8°C | You will want a jacket or fleece in the evening |
| 13 rainy days | Roughly one day in three has some rain, usually showers rather than all-day downpours |
| 57 mm of rain | A modest monthly total, so a wet morning rarely wrecks a trip |
Those are averages for Hobart. The island is small on the map but varied in climate. The east coast tends to be sunnier and drier than the west, and the highlands around Cradle Mountain make their own weather. A warm morning in Hobart can become a cold, wet afternoon on an alpine track, so the number for your base is a guide and not a promise for every stop.
If you plan to swim, go in knowing the water is bracing. Tourism Australia lists Hobart summer sea temperatures of 15.6 to 16.5°C on the same page. That is a quick dip or a wetsuit paddle, not a lazy soak.
What to pack
Tasmanian summer rewards a layered kit. Think of it as three layers you can peel on and off through the day:
- A base layer for the day. Tourism Australia suggests light clothing for summer days in Hobart, so a t-shirt and light trousers or shorts work well in the sun.
- A warm middle layer. A fleece or light wool jumper handles breezy ferry decks, evenings by the waterfront and early starts.
- A shell. A light waterproof jacket doubles as a windbreaker. Tourism Australia advises a light jacket for cooler evenings, and in practice it earns its place in the bag every day.
Add these as well:
- Sturdy walking shoes or light boots, since many of the best sights involve a boardwalk or trail.
- A hat, sunglasses and sunscreen. Tasmanian sun is strong even when the air is cool, so cloud and mild temperatures can fool you.
- A small daypack, a refillable water bottle and a beanie for boat trips and mountain mornings.
- Swimmers and a quick-dry towel, if you are brave enough for the water.
Snow is a winter story, but the mountains can turn cold and wet at any time of year, so treat the highlands as the one place where you pack for a cold day even in December. Check the forecast on the morning of any alpine walk and be ready to turn back if it closes in.
Pros and cons of visiting in December
What you gain
- Long, mild days. More daylight means more time for a full-day tour and a sunset afterwards.
- Almost everything operating. Ferries, cruises, farm gates and guided walks run their summer schedules.
- A festive, outdoorsy mood. Hobart’s waterfront has a buzz, particularly towards the end of the month when the Sydney to Hobart fleet approaches. The race leaves Sydney Harbour on Boxing Day, 26 December and finishes with a run up the River Derwent into Hobart.
- Great conditions for wildlife and walking. Mild temperatures suit long days on foot.
What you give up
- Higher demand. Accommodation, cars and popular tours book out earlier, and prices can rise around Christmas and New Year. Our Tasmania tour cost guide explains how to budget.
- Changeable weather. A warm morning can end in a cold southerly. Plan flexible afternoons.
- Cool water. The sea is refreshing, not tropical.
If you prefer fewer crowds, early December and the first days of the school holidays are calmer than the stretch between Christmas and mid-January. For a month-by-month view, our guide to when to visit Tasmania sets December against the shoulder seasons.
Getting around Tasmania in December
Driving is the default way to see the island, and a lot of visitors love it. Roads are generally quiet by mainland standards, scenery changes every hour, and a self-drive gives you freedom to stop at a roadside berry stall. But there are things to plan for:
- Distances feel longer than they look. Winding roads slow you down, so build in extra time between regions and do not try to fit Cradle Mountain, Hobart and the east coast into one day.
- Dawn and dusk are wildlife hours. Wallabies, pademelons and wombats move around at first and last light. Slow down at those times, and avoid long drives in the dark if you can.
- Book the car early. December is a peak month for rentals, particularly one-way hires between Hobart and Launceston.
- Be ready for weather on mountain roads. Conditions change quickly in the highlands.
If that sounds like more work than holiday, you do not need a car at all. Day tours from Hobart and Launceston pick you up, handle the driving and add a local guide’s knowledge. Our day tours from Hobart cover Bruny Island, Mt Field and more, and our Tasmania day tours page lists the wider options. If you are unsure which island suits a car-free trip, the Maria Island vs Bruny Island guide walks through the trade-offs.
Things to do in Tasmania in December
Summer opens the door to the outdoor side of the island. Here is where we would spend the time.
On the water around Hobart
The River Derwent and the coast south of the city are at their best in early summer. A cruise gives you the cliffs, sea caves and seabird colonies you cannot reach on foot, and the breeze keeps you cool.
- The Tasmanian Seafood Seduction Cruise from Hobart pairs the water with local produce, a good fit for a long, light evening or a relaxed day.
- Iron Pot Cruises from Hobart is an easy way to get out on the Derwent and see the city from the water.
- Cape Raoul Cruises take you to the dramatic sea cliffs of the Tasman Peninsula, and the listing notes that Port Arthur Historic Site entry is available with it.
Browse all our cruises to compare more options.
Mountains and walking
December is prime walking season, and Cradle Mountain is the headline. The alpine lakes, button grass and mountain ridgelines are most welcoming in summer, and a guided day trip takes the pressure off the long drive. The Cradle Mountain Hobart to Cradle Active Day Trip leaves from Hobart, so you do not need a car. Pack the full layer kit, since the mountain can be cold and wet on a day that starts warm in the city.
For more of the same, our nature and wildlife tours and adventure tours pages gather the outdoor options.
Food, wine and farm gates
Summer is when Tasmanian produce looks its best, from seafood to cool-climate wine. A guided tasting day is an easy way to taste several producers without worrying about who drives. Our food and wine tours in Tasmania page is the place to start. One standout is the Hidden Gems boutique full-day wine tour, which pairs wine with an Italian-inspired lunch and an emu-feeding stop.
Hobart itself
Spend at least a day in the city. Wander the waterfront, browse the markets and head up the mountain for the view, then go beyond the obvious with our list of things to do in Hobart beyond MONA.
Culture and history
Tasmania’s Aboriginal history stretches back tens of thousands of years, and a guided experience is the respectful way to learn it. Look through our Aboriginal culture tours in Tasmania to find a local-led option.
With kids in December
Mild weather makes Tasmania an easy family destination in summer. Boat trips, wildlife encounters and short boardwalk walks keep children engaged without long hikes. Choose one big activity a day and leave space for a playground, a beach or an ice cream. Bring a spare jumper for each child, since a sunny afternoon can turn windy on a boat deck.
Before booking, check the age limits and conditions on each tour page, because they differ between operators.
What to book ahead
December rewards the organised. Book these first, in roughly this order:
- Flights and the Spirit of Tasmania ferry, if you are crossing Bass Strait with a vehicle. Peak dates go early.
- Accommodation in Hobart and near Cradle Mountain. Both fill fast around Christmas and New Year.
- Rental car, if you are driving. Pick up and drop off in different cities cost more and sell out sooner.
- Headline day tours and cruises. Small-group tours have limited seats, and the best operators are often the first to sell out.
- Restaurant tables in Hobart, especially around the yacht race finish.
Leave a few days open as well. Weather can shuffle your plans, and being able to swap an exposed coastal cruise for a food tour is a gift.
How many days do you need?
You can see a lot in a few days, but Tasmania rewards a slower pace. As a rule of thumb:
| Trip length | What it suits |
|---|---|
| 3 days | Hobart plus one big day trip |
| 4 to 5 days | Hobart, Bruny Island or Tasman Peninsula, plus Cradle Mountain |
| 6 to 7 days | Add the east coast or Launceston, with time to breathe |
| 8 days or more | A full loop, with a mix of tours and self-drive stretches |
A five-day December itinerary built from tours
This plan works without a car and keeps travel days short.
- Day 1, Hobart. Settle in, walk the waterfront and take the Iron Pot Cruises trip for your first look at the Derwent.
- Day 2, Cradle Mountain. Take the Hobart to Cradle active day trip and carry your full layers.
- Day 3, Food and wine. Do a relaxed tasting day with the Hidden Gems boutique wine tour.
- Day 4, Tasman Peninsula. Combine history and coast with the Cape Raoul Cruises experience.
- Day 5, Slow Hobart. Spend an easy day at the markets, then finish with the Tasmanian Seafood Seduction Cruise.
Check each tour page for the current departure details before you lock in the order, as schedules vary by operator and day.
Book your December tours with Aussie Loop
We do not list hundreds of options. Every tour on Aussie Loop is handpicked by locals who have done it, then checked for local ownership, strong Google reviews, safety and accreditation, value and crowds. There are no paid rankings. Start with our Tasmania tours page, or head to the Hobart day tours for the easiest car-free trips.
FAQ
What is the weather like in Tasmania in December?
In Hobart, the average December maximum is 20.3°C and the minimum is 10.8°C, with about 57 mm of rain over 13 days, according to Tourism Australia. Expect mild days and cool evenings. The highlands are colder and less predictable.
Is December a good time to visit Tasmania?
Yes. It is early summer, with long days, mild temperatures and most tours and cruises operating. The trade-offs are higher demand and changeable weather, so book key tours and accommodation early.
Do you need a car in Tasmania in December?
No. A car gives flexibility, but day tours from Hobart reach places like Bruny Island, Mt Field and Cradle Mountain. That saves you the driving, the parking and the wildlife-at-dusk worry.
Can you swim in Tasmania in December?
Yes, but the water is cool. Tourism Australia lists Hobart summer sea temperatures of 15.6 to 16.5°C. Many visitors paddle or take a short dip, and some wear a wetsuit.
Sources
This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by human for inaccuracies. We recommend verifying important details with official sources or contact us before making any decisions.
