Oszea Coastal Sand sneakers on Hobart's rainy waterfront

Wet-Weather Guide to Hobart: Rain, Wind and What to Wear on Your Feet

Hobart is drier than most people expect. The Bureau of Meteorology's long-term averages for Hobart (Ellerslie Road) show about 610 mm of rain a year over roughly 87 rain days. What really shapes a wet day here is the cold, the afternoon wind and how fast the weather turns, especially on kunanyi/Mount Wellington. Dress in layers, carry a waterproof shell, and match your shoes to where you're going: waterproof everyday shoes in town, proper hiking footwear on the mountain.

Hobart's weather by the numbers

All figures are long-term means from the Bureau of Meteorology for Hobart (Ellerslie Road), station 094029. The period for each figure is shown in the table.

Measure Hobart (Ellerslie Road) Period
Mean annual rainfall 610.5 mm 1882–2026
Mean days of rain (1 mm or more) 86.7 a year 1893–2026
Wettest month October: 62.0 mm over 9.4 rain days As above
Driest month February: 38.6 mm over 4.9 rain days As above
July mean max / min 11.9°C / 4.7°C 1882–2026
January mean max / min 21.8°C / 12.1°C 1882–2026
Mean 3pm wind speed 16.1 km/h (highest in December, 19.1 km/h) 1893–2010
Mean cloudy days 171.8 a year 1893–2010

A few things stand out. Rain days climb steadily through winter and peak in spring: August, September and October each average 8 to 9 or more rain days. That's when Hobart feels grey and drizzly. Afternoons are windier than mornings, and the breeziest afternoons come in late spring and summer, so even a dry December day can feel raw on the water. Hobart is also cloudy more often than not, with an average of almost 172 cloudy days a year against about 41 clear ones. For a comparison with the mainland, see our look at rainy days in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.

Salamanca Market in the wet

Salamanca Market runs every Saturday from 8:30am to 3pm along the full length of Salamanca Place, from the top of Davey Street to the silos end. The City of Hobart runs it with more than 300 stalls, and it goes ahead "rain, hail or shine". It closes only in extreme weather such as gale-force winds, with any cancellation posted on the market's website and Facebook page.

  • Go early on a wet Saturday. Crowds are thinner and stallholders are setting up their covers. The hot food stalls are welcome when it's cold.
  • Watch your footing. Puddles collect between stalls, and the kerbs and gutters along Salamanca Place catch the run-off.
  • Bring a compact umbrella, but expect wind. On a gusty day, a hooded jacket is often more practical than an umbrella between crowded stalls.

The waterfront and a museum for the heavy stuff

The walk between Salamanca Place and the nipaluna/Hobart waterfront is short and flat, and on a wet day it's mostly about the wind off the River Derwent. When the rain sets in properly, the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery (TMAG) is a short walk from the waterfront and has free general entry. From 1 April to 24 December it opens Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm. From 26 December to 31 March it opens daily, 10am to 4pm. It's also open on Monday public holidays and closed on Good Friday, Anzac Day and Christmas Day.

A wet-day trip to MONA

MONA is a good rainy-day pick because most of it is indoors. Until 30 June 2027 it opens Monday and Thursday to Sunday, 10am to 5pm, and is closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays, so check the day before you plan around it. The MONA ferry runs between Brooke Street Pier on the waterfront and the museum, with a more frequent timetable in peak season from 3 December 2026 to 29 March 2027.

  • The ferry wharves and decks get wet and slippery, and it's windier on the river than in town. Wear something warm even if the city feels mild.
  • Expect some outdoor walking between the landing and the entrance, so a waterproof layer and dry shoes help.

kunanyi/Mount Wellington: be honest about the mountain

This is where Hobart's weather catches people out. The City of Hobart says the summit is likely to be about 6°C colder than The Springs, which sits about 600 metres lower, and the wind makes it feel colder still. Its advice is plain: "Icy winds, snow, low cloud and heavy rain can occur at any time of year." Low cloud can cut visibility to a few metres, and snow and ice make tracks very slippery.

  • Driving up? Pinnacle Road is the only road to the summit and can close for snow or ice. Check its status first. The council warns that black ice, not snow, is the bigger driving risk.
  • Walking up? The Springs to the Pinnacle route is 3.4 km and takes about half a day. It turns steeper onto the Zig Zag Track, and the upper section is very exposed. The council recommends warm layers, a waterproof coat, hiking shoes, a hat and gloves, a charged phone and a map.
  • Weigh the forecast honestly. If the forecast is poor or cloud is down on the summit, choose a lower walk or another day.

To be clear, the mountain tracks call for proper hiking boots or trail shoes, not city sneakers. Our guide to hiking and trail shoes covers what to look for.

Dealing with the cold and wind

  • Layer, don't bulk up. A July day in Hobart averages a top of about 12°C. A light insulating layer under a windproof, waterproof shell copes with the shifts between a sheltered café and the open waterfront.
  • Plan outdoor time for the morning. BoM averages show 3pm winds are stronger than 9am winds year-round.
  • Keep your feet dry. Cold plus wet feet is what makes a Hobart day miserable. If your shoes do get soaked, here's how to dry wet shoes without damaging them.

What to wear on your feet

For Hobart's city side (Salamanca, the waterfront, the MONA ferry, the CBD and the hills of Battery Point), a waterproof everyday sneaker is a sensible choice. We make Oszea, so weigh this accordingly. The Oszea Tasman Essentials and Urban Essentials use our ZEA-TEX 4-layer construction: a breathable knit outer, a waterproof membrane, a flexible elastomer layer and a soft inner lining. They're designed for rain, puddles and wet grass, and they're breathable enough for a day of walking indoors and out (more on that in are waterproof shoes breathable?). They're not for wading or full submersion, and they're not hiking boots. For kunanyi's tracks, a proper hiking or trail shoe is the right tool.

FAQ

What is the wettest month in Hobart?

On BoM's long-term Ellerslie Road averages (1882–2026), October is the wettest month at 62.0 mm, with 9.4 rain days. February is the driest at 38.6 mm.

Does Salamanca Market go ahead in the rain?

Yes. It runs every Saturday "rain, hail or shine" and closes only in extreme conditions such as gale-force winds. Any cancellation is posted on the market's website and Facebook page.

Can it snow on kunanyi/Mount Wellington in summer?

Yes. The City of Hobart warns that icy winds, snow, low cloud and heavy rain can occur at any time of year, and the summit is typically about 6°C colder than The Springs.

Is MONA open every day?

No. Until 30 June 2027, MONA opens Monday and Thursday to Sunday from 10am to 5pm and is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Check its website before you go.

Is Hobart windy?

Moderately. BoM records an average 3pm wind speed of 16.1 km/h (1893–2010), peaking in December. Afternoons on the waterfront and the river feel noticeably cooler than the temperature suggests.

Sources

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