Latest news with #snow
ABC News
4 days ago
- Climate
- ABC News
The differences wintering in Tasmania and Darwin
There is something magical about winter in Tasmania according to Alexander Okenyo. He lives on 24 hectares up a mountain in New Norfolk, about 35 kilometres north-east of Hobart, where it has been snowing already this season. For Darwin local Shauny Edwards, "winter", which spans more than one of the "seasons" of the Larrakia calendar, is a special time too. We spoke to Alexander about the vibe of winter in Tasmania and to Shauny about why dry season in the Top End is also where it's at. Tasmania is the one state in Australia that really gives you a true seasonal contrast, says 44-year-old Alexander, who owns Black Swan Bookshop. One of the things he loves is the surprise of snow. "You never know when it's going to snow and usually the experience is, you go to sleep, and maybe it's been raining and the sky has been clear, and then there is no sound. "You wake up and pull back the curtain, and everything is white. "I'm yet to get over my childlike excitement at that." And socially, the cold doesn't deter people. Quite the opposite, he says. "Tasmanians are very enthusiastic people. If anything is on, we all go to everything. "At the moment we have the Dark Mofo festival, which includes the Winter Feast. Also the Festival of Voices, and Beaker Street fest. And the Huon Valley Mid-Winter fest. "We don't hibernate at all." He says there is something satisfying about preparing for the cold. "The idea of putting on layers; your favourite winter coat, rugging up and going out to stand by a flaming barrel and drink mulled wine, is not something to shy away from. Alexander says he even looks forward the work associated with the colder weather. "Those of us who still have wood fire, which our family has because we are on 60 acres … I chop all my own wood and that is an extraordinary part of winter. "It could be seen as harder, but that is the work and ritual that creates the reward." His favourite thing about the cold though is the picturesque weather events, including the "Bridgewater Jerry". "It's the rolling column of mist that comes along the river and through the town and further up the valley. "It just creates this incredibly beautiful, almost haunting atmosphere." "Blue skies and chill vibes" is how Shauny Edwards describes Darwin in winter. The 31-year-old owns clothing design brand House of Darwin, which also runs a community project restoring basketball courts for remote Indigenous communities. Born and raised in the city, but a keen traveller, Shauny says Darwin winter reminds him of Los Angeles. "It's [the] perfect temperature, sitting between 27 and 30 degrees, with a slow tempo and laid-back attitude. "Everyone waits for the dry season to socialise in the city, but also to go out camping, take a few cars out to Kakadu. "It's definitely the peak for work and play." He says winter is a busy time for visitors, many of whom are coming for the first time, only to be stunned by the glorious weather. "We have a massive influx of people from Melbourne in the dry season, just last week it was 1C in Melbourne and people are coming up for conferences saying 'What is this place?'," Shauny says. Having spent time in Melbourne at boarding school himself, he understands the shock. Shauny says the wet season, by contrast, is for rest. "By the end of August, you are done and go into hiding for the wet season. "Not much happens because it's 33C and wet with 80 per cent humidity. "People retreat into houses and do house parties. The wet season is for chilling."
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Climate
- Daily Mail
Cold front to sweep across southeast Australia
By Published: Updated: A powerful cold front will sweep across Australia's southeast this week, delivering biting winds, showers, and a dusting of alpine snow to multiple regions. The system will impact major cities, including Adelaide, Melbourne, Canberra, Sydney, and Hobart, along with surrounding areas in South Australia, Victoria, southeast New South Wales, and Tasmania. The front will move in from the west, crossing South Australia on Monday before advancing east through Victoria, Tasmania, and southeast New South Wales by Tuesday. The strongest winds will batter SA over the afternoon, with the capital and the Mount Lofty Ranges region most likely to receive gusts of up to 75km/h, according to Weatherzone. As the system reaches Victoria, Melbourne and elevated regions like the Dandenong Ranges could see winds peaking at 90km/h. Canberra and coastal areas around Sydney may experience gusts up to 80km/h, while Tasmania's capital, Hobart, and its alpine regions brace for similar wind speeds of 85km/h. Sydney can expect daytime highs ranging from 16C to 19C, while overnight lows dip to between 6C and 8C, with some very brisk winter mornings in store. Melbourne is experiencing cooler conditions, with daytime highs between 13C and 15C and overnight lows dropping to as low as 6C. Snow is forecast to fall as low as 1,200 meters in the alpine regions on Monday night, with resorts such as Thredbo and Perisher in New South Wales and Mount Buller in Victoria expected to be affected, according to the Bureau of Meteorology. BoM meteorologist Helen Reid told Daily Mail Australia that the cloud band associated with the front has already crossed South Australia and is now moving over Victoria. 'That cloud band is bringing in a couple of showers with it and then behind that we'll have that really cold air coming through,' she said. 'It's just still sitting off the coast, it hasn't quite got into South Australia yet either. Northern Queensland, including Cairns and Townsville, will see significant rainfall from Monday, extending inland and north of Yeppoon through Tuesday before clearing by Wednesday. In Western Australia, a separate cold front will bring showers to Perth and the state's southeast, including Albany, on Wednesday.
The Herald
7 days ago
- Climate
- The Herald
Correct call makes for a winter-wonderland experience in Nieu Bethesda
We had already planned and booked our midwinter break for the end of July, in the hope of experiencing some decent snow, when Facebook was suddenly abuzz with forecasts of 30cm of snow. Mrs Guru gave me that puppy dog look and subtly suggested a night or two in Nieu Bethesda, one of her favourite small towns. Besides, she said, there was still so much she wanted to see in Nieu Bethesda, and the people were so friendly there. As all husbands know, a happy wife is a happy life, so I was not going to upset her and gave her the go-ahead to book, after consulting with an ex-colleague on his views as to the chances of snow. We left home on Sunday morning, warm clothes packed, a flask of coffee and some snacks for the road. I don't know why I always get so hungry on road trips. Heading north towards Graaff-Reinet, we saw some amazing cumulus-type clouds, which just had cold heavy air written all over them. I took this as a sure sign of moisture and cold, the main ingredients needed for snow. After relating this to Mrs Guru, she asked if I was trying to convince myself or her that the models were right. At that stage, I was not overly concerned, as seeing those beautiful cloud formations made the trip worthwhile, even if we did not see any snow. Stopping every 10 minutes to take photos, turned a three-hour trip into an almost five-hour trip. After a nice cosy supper and a few glasses of wine, it was off to bed to dream about waking up to a winter wonderland. During the night, we heard heavy rain and on our previous visit, a long-time resident and farmer told me that it does not snow when it rains in that area. Disappointment started to set in. The next morning, I was woken up by a very excited Mrs Guru shouting, 'It's snowing, come look.' Sure enough, the snow was falling but was melting as it hit the ground. It did, however, settle on our vehicle and the surrounding plants. Off to the local Village Inn and after a hearty breakfast, the owner told us that the snow was laying thick on her father's farm, just outside town. We did not delay and in 4x4 mode it was on the road, taking it extremely slowly. The further we went, the heavier the snowfall became, turning the countryside into the winter wonderland we had hoped to experience. We were so excited we were speechless. Once again stopping every few metres to take reels and reels of photos. When we got to the farm, we did not venture further up the mountain as it did not look too safe. There was no way I was going to get stuck in the middle of nowhere in those temperatures. Besides, we only had two litres of Old Brown Sherry in the car, and we would not survive the cold on that. So, we took the 8km trek back to the village and encountered a bunch of 'Crazy Daisies' (as I christened them) along the way en route to the farm/guest house. They were part of a group on the 100km Nieu-Bethesda Camino, walking about 23km a day. That is gruelling by any standard, but in the snow, well either very brave or crazy comes to my mind. I take my hat off to them. Then approaching the village, we noted that the snow on the side of the road started to get slushy as it was starting to melt. An hour later, looking back to the once snow-covered mountains around the village, there was hardly any sign of significant snow. While on our jaunt I was able to build a snow angle (snowman) and get to pelt Mrs Guru with a grapefruit-sized snowball. We were like children. Another tick off our proverbial bucket list. We have been lucky to have experienced snow, our recent trip to Founders Lodge with an awesome two game drives and enjoying fish and chips on the beach at Paternoster. All in the space of just more than a year. My advice to anyone who wants to have a snow experience is that you must be there before the snow begins. Most of these events only last a few hours at best, so if you want to travel after the snow has fallen, it will be too late. It's like fishing or playing Lotto. You cannot catch a fish without a line in the water or win the Lotto without a ticket. Watch the forecast and then take the chance. We were unlucky two years ago, but this time around it was well worth it. This week in history: 1965 Heavy stock losses in the Cradock and Maclear regions. Dam Levels 69% slightly down from previous weeks 69.46%. Impofu down to 51.93% Weather Safety Tips: Once again, we read about another vehicle washed away on a low water bridge resulting in numerous fatalities. Avoid low water bridges were there is fast running water in times of flooding.
ABC News
7 days ago
- ABC News
Australian snow tourists bringing own meals, tents and BBQs to cut cost of ski trips
Thinking of taking a trip to the snow this winter, but the cost of staying in a resort town and hitting the slopes is giving you chills? You're not alone. Here's how others have found ways to enjoy holidaying in the Australian Alps on a budget. High school mates Dylan Oakroot and Alex Marychurch sit under the pull-out awning of their SUV in a free campground and watch the rain pour down. Every so often, one of the pair stands up to push the growing pool of water off their canvas roof. There's a pool forming, too, in the corner of the barbecue, where some of the cheapest sausages the boys could buy are slowly cooking in the rain. It's snow season 2024, and what some might consider a dour situation is one of pure joy for the 23-year-olds from Brisbane. They knew doing it on the cheap was the only way they were ever going to fulfil their dream of visiting the snow. "It's our first time seeing snow. We've been dreaming about it for a long time. It's a bucket-list item," Mr Oakroot said. The boys will miss the 2025 winter season because of life circumstances, but Mr Oakroot said they would "definitely" make the trip again. "We plan to return next year, and maybe with some more people too," he said. Snow sports, and even just a day trip to see the snow up close, are becoming too expensive for many people. Mr Oakshot and Mr Marychurch are staying in a campground near Jindabyne, in the Snowy Mountains, rated one of the least-affordable towns in Australia in the 2023 Rental Affordability Index. House prices here have risen almost 150 per cent over five years, with locals being priced out of the town they grew up in as homes are transformed into short-term rentals. The population of around 5,000 quadruples to more than 20,000 during peak snow season as tourists head to the ski fields of Perisher, Thredbo and Charlotte Pass, which are all just a 30-minute drive away. Every night in winter, Jindabyne is lit up with fluorescent lights, as almost every store selling food or renting snow gear desperately tries to capitalise on the tourist boom. But most evenings, ravenous crowds descend on the only major supermarket in town, eager to feed themselves as cheaply as possible. And during the day, when one Instagrammer reported that a hot chocolate on the slopes can cost up to $17, many budget-conscious holiday-makers resort to bringing a packed lunch. One of the biggest expenses for Mr Oakroot and Mr Marychurch was the cost of fuel to get them from Brisbane to Jindabyne. But, Mr Oakroot said, some costs were unavoidable. Day passes to go skiing in Australia start from about $150, with membership deals pushing tourists to spend more on a seasonal pass. The mates are curbing costs by sleeping in a swag and a rooftop tent, eating a diet of sausages, eggs, cheese, bread and cheap steaks cooked in the drizzle, and relying on lighting a fire or simply rugging up to stay warm. "You've got more challenges you've got to overcome. You make more memories. It's a lot better." At another Snowy Mountains campsite, Wollongong's Judy Chang is playing with her young daughter, Skye, outside their teepee tent. "There's not really any other way to save money. You have to pay for a lift pass, so this is how we're doing it." Ms Chang was able to keep some costs down by raiding second-hand markets and op-shops, managing to pick up a second-hand ski jacket and snowboard for Skye. "They grow so quickly, and the second-hand market offers pretty new things," she said. Ms Chang also recommended purchasing a two-year car pass from National Parks because it was cheaper in the long run than the annual alternative. Her dream of having a yearly family snow trip was only feasible by cutting costs as much as possible, she said. "It's hard. Not everyone is into camping, and winter camping is tough, but it is super nice," she said. But tension is brewing in the town. Many locals are frustrated by the growing trend of BYO food and accommodation, with local cafes and traders feeling they're missing out on tourism dollars as visitors cut costs. Comments on the local Facebook noticeboard criticise visitors to the region who don't give back — those who don't buy a ski pass at the resorts, who bring their own lunch, who take up valuable car parks without spending in local shops. "80 per cent of the non-skiiers [sic] come up with a slow cooker full of rice and don't spend a penny on the resort or other food outlets up there. Sooner or later those businesses are going to go belly up," one comment says. "They need to stop all [visitors] taking a packed lunch up there in a full van taking a parking spot away from skiers whilst contributing nothing but park entry to the economy. Ban snow play and toboggans," another said. However, Jindabyne Chamber of Commerce president Olivier Kapetanakos said tourists trying to visit the snow cheaply was nothing new and was often a way for people to try out the snow before committing to a more expensive visit in the future. He said many such tourists returned in future years or even moved to the area long term. "Tourism is what it is," he said. "We have to take them as they are. Mr Kapetanakos said local businesses had learnt that three-or-so months of tourism could not sustain a year-round income and many had pivoted to new markets, such as hiking and mountain-biking. For Matt Boggas from the Sunshine Coast, a trip to the snow looks like snowboarding during the day, then sleeping in his car at night, cooking his own food, waking himself up with a swim in Jindabyne Lake, and trying not to drink too much. And if he didn't sleep in his car? "It would be ridiculous. It would be a lot of money – definitely unaffordable for most people our age [25]," he said. The local brewery sells 300mL beers from $9, while many choose to purchase alcohol to be consumed at home. BWS Jindabyne is the liquor store chain's top-performing store nationally during the winter months. When he's not on the slopes, Mr Boggas is dropping in at the local skate-bowl, just off the main street, which becomes a magnet for would-be snowboarders after the lifts have closed for the day, or in bad weather. As young people carve around on scooters and skateboards with music pumping, Mr Boggas says these people — many friends of his from the Sunshine Coast who make the pilgrimage to the snow annually — contribute something to the snow experience. It's what he comes back for each year. "The cost makes it super inaccessible. It sucks," he said.
News.com.au
13-06-2025
- Climate
- News.com.au
Australia unrecognisable in crazy scenes
Just look at that snow! Picture: NewsWire handout Always cover your head, hands, and feet when in the snow as they are prone to heat loss. Picture: bureauofmeteorology/Instagram When life gives you lemons … Picture: bureauofmeteorology/Instagram NSW Police are warning people heading to the snow this season to ensure they are prepared before hitting the slopes and act responsibly off the slopes. Picture: NSW Police Huge snow drops have kickstarted the season. Picture: Falls Creek Crazy snow scenes in Australia. Temperatures are dropping to below zero degrees across large parts of the southeast. Picture: Josie Garrett/Facebook Namadgi National Park in the ACT looked like a winter wonderland. Picture: Josie Garrett/Facebook Cooma in NSW was hit with a snowstorm. Picture: John Gorman/Facebook
