Prepare Your Warm Clothes to Visit These Coldest City in Australia

In the topic of countries with cold temperatures, northern countries such as Canada, Russia, Japan, South Korea, and some European ones come to mind. Australia, on the other hand, is recognized as a hot country full of wilderness for some people.

However, thanks to its enormous area, Australia is a unique country in terms of climate. The country’s northern area is hot due to its location close to the equator, while the southern part is colder and hosts the coldest city in Australia.

The coldest temperature ever recorded in Australia was -23.0°C or -9.4°F on June 29, 1994, in Charlotte Pass. This snow resort located in the snowy mountains of New South Wales always has the country’s coldest temperature, but it is not on the list as it is not a city.

Related: Everything You Need to Know about Seasons in Australia

Liawenee, Tasmania

Liawenee emerges as the coldest outpost in all of Australia, a place where the very air seems to hold its breath in the face of the frigid embrace. August 7, 2020, etched a moment into history as Liawenee bore witness to a temperature of staggering depths, a bone-chilling -14.2°C or 6.4°F, a testament to the raw intensity of its winters.

This diminutive town is home to just two permanent residents, a resilient fishery worker and a steadfast police officer. Together, they form the backbone of a community that thrives despite the unyielding cold. Come summer, Liawenee transforms into a hidden gem for anglers, its enviable position near the Great Lake offering a paradise for fishing enthusiasts.

Amidst the extremes, Liawenee maintains an average temperature of 10.2°C or 50.3°F, a testament to the resilience of its climate. In July, the town reaches its zenith of cold, the air crisp and invigorating. Conversely, January brings a fleeting reprieve, as the town experiences its hottest month, offering a brief respite from the enduring chill that defines this remarkable Tasmanian enclave.

Lithgow, New South Wales

Lithgow stands as an enclave of captivating contrasts. It proudly wears the mantle of Australia’s coldest city on the mainland, where the very earth seems to exhale in crystalline breaths. In the heart of winter, July reigns with an icy scepter, while January offers a fleeting respite, a brief interlude of warmth amidst the chill. With an average temperature of 12.2°C or 40°F, Lithgow’s climate paints a portrait of seasonal extremities, a dance between frigid winters and gentle summer breezes, mirroring the climatic symphony of Liawenee.

Perched to the west of the majestic Blue Mountains, Lithgow’s vantage point offers vistas that stretch to the horizon, a breathtaking canvas of nature’s grandeur. Here, history whispers through the cobbled streets and ancient structures, each stone a testament to a bygone era. But it is during the winter months that Lithgow truly unveils its character. On April 30, 2008, the city recorded a bone-chilling low of -3.2°C or 26.2°F, a day etched into memory, when the landscape transformed into a glistening wonderland, every surface kissed by the frosty touch of dawn. For those who venture, Lithgow offers a front-row seat to the raw, untamed beauty of Australia’s coldest city, a tableau of contrasts that leaves an indelible mark on all who witness its captivating allure.

Canberra, Australia Capital Territory

In the heart of the Australian Capital Territory, Canberra, the nation’s capital, stands as a testament to both political prominence and climatic distinction. Seated atop an elevation of approximately 600 meters above sea level, it reigns as Australia’s highest major city, earning it the prestigious title of the coldest among its urban counterparts. This altitude lends a unique crispness to the air, as if the city itself breathes the rarified atmosphere of its elevated position. It’s no wonder that the city’s cool embrace played a pivotal role in its selection as Australia’s capital.

On the fateful day of April 25, 1999, Canberra etched its name into the annals of cold, as temperatures plummeted to a bone-chilling -3.7°C or 25.3°F. This extraordinary record is not far removed from the city’s average temperature of 14.4°C or 58.0°F, a testament to the consistency of Canberra’s chilly character. Beyond its political significance, Canberra’s climatic distinction is a defining feature that sets it apart as one of Australia’s most intriguing and unique cities.

Related: 11 Fun Canberra Destinations That Are Not Tourist Traps!

Miena, Tasmania

The town of Miena emerges as a testament to the rugged beauty and unyielding climate of Australia’s southernmost island. Here, the average temperature stands at a bracing 7°C or 44.6°F, marking Miena as the undisputed coldest city on this list. On April 21, 2001, the town bore witness to a bone-chilling low of -7.7°C or 18.1°F, an event that etched its name into the chronicles of extreme cold.

Surrounded by the pristine wilderness of Tasmania, Miena finds itself in the company of equally frosty neighbors, including the nearby city of Liawenee and the awe-inspiring Great Lake. This vast expanse of freshwater has earned renown for producing what is acclaimed as the purest rainwater on Earth, a testament to the unspoiled nature of this remote enclave. The landscape, draped in the hues of untamed wilderness, unfurls in a breathtaking panorama that leaves an indelible mark on all who dare to venture here.

In Miena, the very air seems to carry the weight of history, each breath a communion with the land’s enduring spirit. The town’s character is shaped by the unrelenting climate, a crucible of nature’s forces, where survival demands resilience and adaptability. It is in this inhospitable yet strangely beautiful environment that Miena claims its title as Australia’s coldest city, a place where the pulse of life beats to the rhythm of the elements.

Collinsvale, Tasmania

Nestled amidst the serene landscapes of Tasmania, Collinsvale emerges as the unrivaled champion of cold in Australia. While it may not boast the biting frost of its Tasmanian counterparts, it claims its distinction as the coldest city on this list, with temperatures hovering just above the freezing point of water at a bone-chilling 0.7°C or 33.2°F. The air here carries a crispness that blankets the town in an ethereal chill, a testament to its unique microclimate. This phenomenon is attributed to Collinsvale’s elevation and its proximity to colder air masses, making it a veritable haven for those seeking the embrace of wintry tranquility. With an average temperature of 13.4°C or 56.0°F, Collinsvale’s cool embrace remains a defining characteristic of this charming Tasmanian enclave.

Orange, New South Wales

In the picturesque landscape of New South Wales, Orange stands as a testament to both natural beauty and agricultural prowess. This charming city is hailed as one of Australia’s premier wine-producing regions, where sprawling vineyards flourish under the gentle embrace of its unique climate. Shielded by the protective barrier of the Great Dividing Range, Orange is exposed to the tempering influence of westerly winds, imparting a refreshing coolness to the air. It is this distinctive atmospheric dance that lends a signature crispness to the wines produced here, elevating them to world-class status.

The city’s average temperature of 12.7°C or 55°F is a testament to its cooler climate, creating the ideal conditions for the cultivation of premium grapes. Orange’s viticultural reputation is further underscored by a record low of -1.6°C or 29.1°F, etched into history on April 23, 2006. This chilling benchmark attests to the city’s capacity to embrace the cold, a characteristic that sets it apart as one of Australia’s coldest and most distinguished wine-producing regions.

Launceston, Tasmania

Tucked away in the heart of Tasmania, amidst a panorama of rugged grandeur, lies the city of Launceston. This urban gem, Tasmania’s second-largest, is cradled within a picturesque valley, its towering sentinels of mountains standing guard against the elements. This natural fortress bestows upon Launceston a climate of distinctive character, where the average temperature lingers at a brisk 13.0°C or 55.4°F. Yet, it is on the fateful date of April 26, 1981, that Launceston etched its name into the annals of cold, as temperatures plummeted to an astonishing low of -1.5°C or 29.3°F. In that biting chill, Launceston’s indomitable spirit shines through, a testament to its capacity to weather the harshest of conditions. This remarkable city stands not only as one of Tasmania’s finest, but also as a testament to the enduring allure of Australia’s southernmost reaches.

With that list of coldest city in Australia, you have an idea that cold places are not always in the northern hemisphere. Also, never forget to bring your warm clothes when visiting the country, and be prepared as Australia’s winter is the opposite of winter in northern countries.