It might be a little windy, but the Tasman Peninsula has a mild climate perfect for an adventure. For outdoor lovers, the best time to visit is the long off-season, which runs from March to November, with cooler weather but empty trails making it easy to work up some warmth. Those looking for ideal temperatures should join the crowds between December and February.
December–February
Warm(ish) idyll
With temperatures in the high teens, summer is a gorgeous time to soak up the Tasman Peninsula. You can’t miss it when you stop for lunch or a snack at Port Arthur Lavender and smell the blooming flowers on the hillside below.
However, busloads of visitors make finding solitude at popular spots, including the mind-boggling Tessellated Pavement, challenging. If you plan to stay on the Tasman Peninsula, you better book well ahead.
March–November
Darker, rawer, even better?
At the price of having to wear an extra layer or two, visitors will find a blissfully quiet Tasman Peninsula between March and November. With sparse crowds, the Port Arthur Historic Site (open year-round) feels more ghostly than ever.
Humpback- and Southern right whales migrate along the coast from May to December. Keep your eyes peeled from elevated points like iconic Cape Pillar, Cape Hauy and Cape Raoul or easier-to-reach Fossil Bay Lookout and Waterfall Bay Lookout.
Weather on the Tasman Peninsula
| Month | High (°C) | Low (°C) | Rain (mm) | Wet days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 18 | 12 | 68 | 7 |
| February | 18 | 12 | 50 | 8 |
| March | 17 | 11 | 69 | 10 |
| April | 15 | 10 | 66 | 11 |
| May | 13 | 9 | 71 | 12 |
| June | 12 | 8 | 62 | 10 |
| July | 11 | 7 | 66 | 11 |
| August | 12 | 7 | 76 | 12 |
| September | 13 | 7 | 72 | 11 |
| October | 14 | 8 | 65 | 11 |
| November | 15 | 9 | 57 | 10 |
| December | 17 | 10 | 64 | 10 |
In case you wonder…
You’re in luck! With snow and frost highly unlikely and Port Arthur Historic Site a year-round attraction, there is no wrong time to visit the Tasman Peninsula.
Being an intertidal platform, the Tessellated Pavement is most impressive at low tide. If you happen to stop by at high water, consider continuing to the nearby Dog Line and coming back later.
The timing of your visit to the Blowhole significantly affects your experience. The recipe for powerful bursts is a high tide and a big swell — optimally, with the water hitting the rocks at just the right angle.
More Tasman Peninsula
