What to Wear in Tasmania

Are you wondering what to wear for your holiday in Tasmania?

In this guide I share my local experience with you, showing you how to stay warm, dry, and safe, while saving money at the same time!

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What to Wear in Tasmania - Essential Clothing — Bring the right clothing for the best holiday | Photo: Chris Crerar

Warm sun, magical snow falls, cool breezes, drenching rain…and that’s all before lunch time!

Tasmania’s unique weather is more extreme than most of Australia and for a warm, dry and comfortable holiday you need to know what to wear.

My wife and I have survived a lot of Tassie winters, both in the suburbs and in the great outdoors – so I can speak with experience on the best way to be prepared.

My biggest tip?

You don’t need to go overboard with cold weather gear!

Yes, it can get cold, but it’s easy to pack way more than you need, exceeding your airline baggage allowance or wasting a lot of money on unnecessary items.

Layering is the key, bringing enough layers that you can easily put on or take off as the conditions change during the day.

In this guide I break it all down into easy categories:

Essential clothing
Optional clothing
What to wear in Tasmania for every season
Children’s clothing

I also have some fantastic tips showing you how to save money on your Tassie wardrobe – brilliant for couples and families on a budget.

Before we dive into the detail, here is an overview of what you’ll need, depending on when you visit…

What to wear in Tasmania for every season

Here are my recommended clothing combinations for a typical day in each of Tasmania’s seasons.

Summer

Jeans/pants
T-shirt or short/long-sleeved shirt
Light or medium-weight jumper or jacket
Waterproof jacket
Comfortable walking shoes

Spring / Autumn

Jeans/pants
Short-sleeved base-layer
T-shirt or short/long-sleeved shirt
Light or medium-weight jumper or jacket
Waterproof jacket
Comfortable walking shoes

Winter

Jeans/pants
Long-sleeved base-layer
Long-sleeved shirt
Puffer jacket or medium-weight jumper/jacket
Waterproof jacket
Scarf
Comfortable walking shoes

Layering… what is it?

Quick Answer: Layering is the best way to stay warm and dry in Tasmania, no matter what Mother Nature throws at you!

You might be thinking about packing your bulky, heavy jacket to Tasmania to stay warm – but there’s a good chance you’ll end up constantly putting it on and taking it off because you can’t get the temperature ‘just right’.

Dressing in multiple, light-weight layers helps you regulate your temperature easily and more effectively.

Personally, I find that a 4-layer approach works best for me in Tasmania (especially in the cooler seasons of spring, autumn, and winter), whether I’m heading out for a bushwalk or walking the streets of Hobart or Launceston.

Base layer – Light-weight and closest to your skin, this layer helps your body regulate its temperature naturally.
Mid-layer – A little bit thicker and normally long-sleeved, this layer stops cool air from reaching your skin and traps any body heat that may have escaped your base layer.
Insulation / warmth layer – This layer keeps you warm in cold and/or windy conditions, and should be easy to take off and put on.
Rain layer – Waterproof and ‘breathable’, this layer will keep you dry if you need to walk around in the rain.

Essential clothing for a Tasmania holiday

No matter the time of year you visit Tasmania, and whatever your style of travel, there are some items of clothing that I consider to be absolutely essential for your Tassie travels.

At the same time, there are many other optional items of clothing you may want to bring that I don’t mention here, because they come down to your own fashion sense and style of travel (eg. shorts, dresses, swimsuit, singlets etc.).

Instead, what I describe here is a solid foundation, on top of which you can add as much or as little as you like!

Don’t forget that you will probably want to bring multiples of some items to reduce the number of laundry days while on holiday.

Base layer top

I recommend bringing one short-sleeve base-layer top (great for summer and shoulder seasons) and/or one long-sleeve (perfect for cold days and nights).

You’ll find there are two types of fabric to choose from – synthetic or wool.

Synthetic is normally quick-dry and is a lot cheaper than wool. Unfortunately it won’t keep you as warm, and it will get smelly if you wear it a few days in a row.

Merino wool costs a bit more but it is a lot warmer and you can wear it for days on end without getting smelly (perfect if you plan on doing a lot of bushwalking).

These base layer tops will normally sit underneath your mid-layer, meaning they probably won’t ever be seen by anyone – so you don’t need to worry about them being fashionable.

What to Wear in Tasmania - Icebreaker Base Layer — Base Layer Top

My wife and I have a few Icebreaker merino wool base-layer tops in our wardrobe and we’ve found them to be fantastic for Tasmania, and also when travelling in Europe.

Do I need a base layer in summer…?

If you are visiting in summer then you may not need a base-layer – but it probably depends on how much you feel the cold.

T-shirts are normally fine during the day, but after the sun goes down the temperatures typically drop 5-10°C, and who knows whether a cold storm might hit?

In short – bring one!

Mid-layer top

A light-weight long-sleeved shirt barely takes up any space in your bag, but it can be very effective at trapping your body heat – meaning you can leave your bulky jacket or coat at your accommodation during the day.

Another good thing about long-sleeved shirts is that they also keep the sun off your arms, reducing your UV exposure and risk of skin cancer.

Waterproof jacket

Hobart might be the second driest capital city in Australia, but head towards the west coast and it’s a whole different story!

Rain is always a possibility and you don’t want to let it dampen your spirits. A waterproof jacket with good ‘breathability’ will let you keep exploring – especially out on the trails – no matter how wet it might get.

My Australian-made jacket from Mont was a little on the pricey side, but it has lasted incredibly well in the Tassie conditions, while my wife loves her bright red, lightweight yet waterproof Berghaus jacket.

What to Wear in Tasmania - Berghaus Jacket — Waterproof Jacket

Medium-weight jumper, hoodie or puffer jacket

Tasmania is renowned for its cool climate and you will definitely need to bring a jacket, jumper or hoodie to keep you warm – especially of an evening or during cold snaps.

A down-insulated puffer jacket – what we like to call the ‘Tassie Tuxedo’ – is the warmest and lightest of these options (perfect for autumn, winter and spring), but it will probably prove too warm in summer.

Comfortable walking shoes

You’re going to be on your feet all day, so it is important to look after your little tootsies.

Comfortable street shoes are a must, and I strongly recommend ‘breaking them in’ before you arrive or you run the risk of blisters.

It isn’t essential, but waterproof shoes would be an added bonus.

Wool socks

Good quality socks don’t cost a lot but they can make a huge difference to your comfort levels.

You’ll find synthetic socks everywhere, but I recommend bringing a few pairs of wool socks instead. They will keep your feet a lot warmer, they don’t stink, and they last forever!

There are a lot of brands out there, but two that have never let me down on all my bushwalking adventures are SmartWool and Darn Tough.

Optional clothing

There are some activities or weather conditions in Tasmania where you will need to consider bringing a few extra items.

Hiking shoes/boots

Many people think hiking shoes or boots are essentials for Tasmania.

Nope!

Tasmania’s most popular trails are in extremely good condition, and a good pair of walking shoes is all most visitors will need.

But if you’re planning on walking some of the less-visited trails, hiking in the rain, or going rock-scrambling then you should consider investing in a quality pair of waterproof hiking shoes.

“But what about hiking boots?“, I hear you ask.

What to Wear in Tasmania - Hiking Boots — Hiking Boots

Boots are generally only necessary if you really need the ankle support.

Hiking shoes are lighter, cheaper, more versatile, and more comfortable than boots, making them the perfect choice for most travellers.

So just to be clear on shoes, from most essential to least essential:

Essential – Comfortable, sturdy walking shoes (waterproof is a bonus)
Nice to Have – Hiking shoes (waterproof)
Only if Necessary – Hiking boots (waterproof)

What shoes or boots do I wear?

On dry days I love the comfort of my La Sportiva Akasha hiking shoes, while on rainy days I switch to my Spire GTX shoes.

Fleece thermal base-layer

Most people find a standard wool/synthetic base-layer – like those I describe above – to be enough.

But if you get cold easily, or if you are visiting in winter then you’ll be interested in the option of a fleece-lined base-layer.

The fleece lining cranks up the insulation properties of your base-layer to the max!

Great in late autumn/winter/spring for extra temperature regulation.

Puffer jacket

As I mentioned above, the Tassie Tuxedo isn’t essential in summer, but I strongly recommend bringing one for the chilly days and nights of late autumn/winter/spring. A loft rating of 400 or more is best.

These jackets pack down into a tiny little bag, barely taking up any space in your luggage – but they are amazing at keeping you warm. The only downside is that they aren’t waterproof, so make sure you bring a rain jacket as well.

Hiking pants

If you’re planning on doing lots of bushwalks then a pair of lightweight, quick-dry hiking pants are a great idea.

They will protect you from stray tree limbs, grasses and branches that can scratch your legs, and when combined with a pair of base-layer pants (underneath) you’ll be ready to tackle any trail in the depths of winter.

Beanie and scarf

A beanie and scarf are an excellent light-weight way to keep warm during winter, especially for urban walkabouts where you are stopping/starting a lot and your heart-rate doesn’t get high to keep you warm.

Gloves

If you plan on visiting the snow then a pair of insulated, waterproof gloves is a really good idea.

What about clothes for children?

All my recommendations hold just as true for children as they do for adults.

The only item you probably won’t need – unless your children are extreme hikers – are hiking shoes/boots.

Regular, sturdy walking shoes are generally fine and will save you unnecessary expense.

If your children are going to be spending time in a stroller or pram then you may also want to bring a lightweight blanket.

Cradle Mountain in Summer — Cradle Mountain with the family in summer | Photo: Frederic Courbet

How to save money on your Tasmania clothing

Common feedback I hear from families visiting Tasmania includes things like:

“It’s really frustrating to have to buy cold-climate clothes when I’m only going to use them once!“, and
“If only they didn’t grow up so fast – I could save a fortune in clothing!“

I thought I might ask our community of road trippers over in the Lap of Tasmania FB Group for their advice, and one of the best tips was for you to visit one of the many ‘Op Shops’ or second-hand clothing stores as soon as you arrive in Tasmania.

You can find some amazing deals on winter clothing, and even camping/hiking gear.

Remember though, this option will only work if you have time for shopping on arrival in Tasmania at the start of your holiday (or you could have a look in your home town – you never know what you might find).

Popular op-shops and second-hand clothing stores around Tasmania include:

St Vincent de Paul (many stores)
Encore Clothing (Youngtown – near Launceston)
Hobart City Mission (Hobart and southern Tasmania)
Lifeline Shops (many stores)
Red Cross (many stores)
Recycled Recreation Tasmania (central Hobart – focus on camping/hiking gear)
Salvation Army Store (many stores)

For new hiking and outdoors gear I’ve found Anaconda to provide good value in Hobart, Launceston and Devonport.

Final thoughts, and suggested reading…

I hope you’ve found this article helpful in deciding what to wear in Tasmania for your holiday.

If you are in the planning stages for your Tassie holiday then you will also find my Road Trip Packing List to be incredibly helpful. It includes the clothing recommendations that you’ve just read about here, and extends this to include travel documentation, road trip essentials, tech gear, and plenty more.

Other handy tips and advice include:

Planning your itinerary – I’ve got plenty of FREE itineraries for short and long holidays, with some covering the entire island and others just focus on one region.
Choosing your wheels – There are plenty of ways to get around Tasmania, and whether you choose to go by car, campervan, motorhome or motorcycle, you are guaranteed an amazing experience!
Deciding where to stay – From coast to coast, my accommodation guides have got you covered.

If you are a first-time visitor to Tasmania, or maybe you haven’t planned a road trip before, then you have got to have a closer look at my eBooks.

All are hand-written by myself (no AI slop) and they will save you sooooo much time by pulling all the best information together into one, convenient place that you can access while in the planning stages, and while you’re on the road:

How to Plan Your Tasmania Road Trip – This one is a good ‘all rounder’ with a slight lean towards visitors planning on driving around Tasmania in a rental car, or those wanting to use my free itinerary templates and budget planner.
A Local’s Guide to Camping & Caravanning Tasmania – This eBook is exactly what you need if you are planning on bringing your caravan to Tasmania, or you are planning on renting a campervan or motorhome on arrival.
Hobart Day Trip Planner – A super handy eBook full of pre-planned itineraries, and all the info you could possibly need to create your own custom itinerary. Ideal if you plan on spending a day or two in Hobart.

As always, if you have any questions at all please feel free to ask our community of Lappers over in our friendly Facebook Group, or you can email me here.

Happy road tripping!
Andrew.

There are literally dozens of articles and guides here on the website to help plan your Tassie road trip – but it can take a long time to find the ones that are most relevant to you and your style of travel.

My eBooks pull everything together into one place, saving you hours of browsing and getting you on the road with my practical (and local!) tips and advice.

Tasmania’s remote location means there are internet ‘black spots’ across the island.

A paper map is the perfect backup, and I love the range from HEMA and Lonely Planet.

My HEMA maps are sourced through the wonderful team at Adventure Awaits, and they are providing Lappers with a generous 10% OFF when you use the links below, or the LAPOFTAS code on checkout!