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Travelling?
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There's
heaps to see and do in Tasmania. Popular destinations include Hobart,
Launceston, Port Arthur, Bicheno and Richmond. In addition, 20% of
Tasmania is World Heritage listed, and includes well renowned areas
such as Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair, Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers
and South West National Parks. An absolute must if you enjoy the great
outdoors!
Tourist information: Tourism
Tasmania
National Park information: Parks
and Wildlife
Climate
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Since
Tasmania lies betwen 40 and 43.5 degrees south, and is an island with
no place more than 115 km from the sea, its climate is classified
as temperate maritime.
On the coast the range of daily temperature is about 7 degrees, but
inland the range is almost double, indicating a slight continental
effect.
Mountainous regions cover a large proportion of Tasmania and reach
a maximum height of 1617m at Mt. Ossa, which rises on the western
side of the central plateau. The Central Plateau includes several
peaks higher than 1500m. A smaller mountainous region in the north-east
culminates in Ben Lomond, at an elevation of 1573m.
Prevailing westerly winds produce a marked west to east variation
in cloudiness and rainfall. Variation in temperature, however, is
governed more by elevation and the distance from the coast.
Summers are mild and are characterised by long days - up to 15 hours
of daylight maximum around the longest day. The shortest day in winter
has around 9 hours of daylight. In winter and early spring westerly
winds reach their greatest strength and persistence, causing a distinct
maximum in the rainfall distribution of the West and North-West. In
the East and South-East rainfall is more evenly distributed throughout
the year.
In comparison with those areas of Europe and North America which are
at similar latitudes, Tasmania enjoys a temperate climate. This is
due to the stabilising effect of the surrounding oceans which have
a maximum annual variation of temperature of about 6 or 7 degrees.
For more information of Tasmania's weather see the Bureau of Meteorology's
website.
For more information on Tasmania's climate please refer to the BOM's
climate pages.
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