Does it snow in Australia?
Yes, it snows in Australia. Snow falls every winter in the Australian Alps of New South Wales and Victoria and in the highlands of Tasmania, where there are ski resorts and alpine national parks.
The main snowfields are in the Snowy Mountains of New South Wales and the Victorian Alps. The ski season usually runs from early June to early October, depending on conditions.
Mount Kosciuszko, the highest mountain on the mainland at 2,228 metres, is often covered in snow during winter. The surrounding Kosciuszko National Park includes resorts such as Thredbo and Perisher.
Snow in surprising places
Snow also falls regularly on Tasmania's mountains, including kunanyi/Mount Wellington above Hobart and the Central Plateau. Occasionally, snow falls on high country in southern Queensland, such as near Stanthorpe, and on the Blue Mountains near Sydney.
The Australian snow season is shorter and less reliable than in the Northern Hemisphere's big mountain ranges. Resorts use snowmaking machines to keep runs open.
Most of Australia never sees snow. In the tropical north and the deserts, snow is unknown, and summer temperatures can rise above 45 degrees Celsius.