Australia Weather News

There is something magical about winter in Tasmania according to Alexander Okenyo.

He lives on 24 hectares up a mountain in New Norfolk, about 35 kilometres north-east of Hobart, where it has been snowing already this season.

For Darwin local Shauny Edwards, "winter", which spans more than one of the "seasons" of the Larrakia calendar, is a special time too.

We spoke to Alexander about the vibe of winter in Tasmania and to Shauny about why dry season in the Top End is also where it's at.

'We don't hibernate at all'

Tasmania is the one state in Australia that really gives you a true seasonal contrast, says 44-year-old Alexander, who owns Black Swan Bookshop.

One of the things he loves is the surprise of snow.

"You never know when it's going to snow and usually the experience is, you go to sleep, and maybe it's been raining and the sky has been clear, and then there is no sound.

"You wake up and pull back the curtain, and everything is white.

"I'm yet to get over my childlike excitement at that."

And socially,  the cold doesn't deter people. Quite the opposite, he says.

"Tasmanians are very enthusiastic people. If anything is on, we all go to everything.

"At the moment we have the Dark Mofo festival, which includes the Winter Feast. Also the Festival of Voices, and Beaker Street fest. And the Huon Valley Mid-Winter fest.

"We don't hibernate at all."

He says there is something satisfying about preparing for the cold.

"The idea of putting on layers; your favourite winter coat, rugging up and going out to stand by a flaming barrel and drink mulled wine, is not something to shy away from.

"There is something very exciting about the winter ... something intentional about it."

Alexander says he even looks forward the work associated with the colder weather.

"Those of us who still have wood fire, which our family has because we are on 60 acres … I chop all my own wood and that is an extraordinary part of winter.

"It could be seen as harder, but that is the work and ritual that creates the reward."

His favourite thing about the cold though is the picturesque weather events, including the "Bridgewater Jerry".

"It's the rolling column of mist that comes along the river and through the town and further up the valley.

"It just creates this incredibly beautiful, almost haunting atmosphere."

'Everyone waits for the dry season to socialise'

"Blue skies and chill vibes" is how Shauny Edwards describes Darwin in winter.

The 31-year-old owns clothing design brand House of Darwin, which also runs a community project restoring basketball courts for remote Indigenous communities.

Born and raised in the city, but a keen traveller, Shauny says Darwin winter reminds him of Los Angeles.

"It's [the] perfect temperature, sitting between 27 and 30 degrees, with a slow tempo and laid-back attitude.

"Everyone waits for the dry season to socialise in the city, but also to go out camping, take a few cars out to Kakadu.

"It's definitely the peak for work and play."

He says winter is a busy time for visitors, many of whom are coming for the first time, only to be stunned by the glorious weather.

"We have a massive influx of people from Melbourne in the dry season, just last week it was 1C in Melbourne and people are coming up for conferences saying 'What is this place?'," Shauny says.

Having spent time in Melbourne at boarding school himself, he understands the shock.

Shauny says the wet season, by contrast, is for rest.

"By the end of August, you are done and go into hiding for the wet season.

"Not much happens because it's 33C and wet with 80 per cent humidity.

"People retreat into houses and do house parties. The wet season is for chilling."