Complete school term and holiday information for 2026
Tasmania (TAS) is Australia's smallest state by area (68,401 km²) and least populous with approximately 572,000 residents. The state comprises the main island of Tasmania and 334 surrounding islands. The Department of Education Tasmania administers over 200 government schools. Hobart, the state capital (population 240,000), is Australia's second-oldest city after Sydney, founded in 1804.
Tasmania's maritime climate produces cooler year-round temperatures compared to mainland Australia. Summer maximums in Hobart average 22°C; winter minimums average 3°C. Tasmania observes Eight Hours Day in March (equivalent to Labour Day in other states) and Recreation Day on the first Monday of November (observed in northern Tasmania only). The Spirit of Tasmania ferry connects Devonport to Melbourne (Port Phillip Bay) with an overnight crossing of approximately 11 hours. Tasmania is the only Australian state entirely south of latitude 40°S.
Start: Thursday 5 February 2026
End: Friday 17 April 2026
Duration: 72 days
Start: Monday 4 May 2026
End: Friday 10 July 2026
Duration: 68 days
Start: Monday 27 July 2026
End: Friday 2 October 2026
Duration: 68 days
Start: Monday 19 October 2026
End: Friday 18 December 2026
Duration: 61 days
| Term | Start Date | End Date | Duration (Days) | Weeks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Term 1 | Thu 5 February | Fri 17 April | 72 | ~10 |
| Term 2 | Mon 4 May | Fri 10 July | 68 | ~10 |
| Term 3 | Mon 27 July | Fri 2 October | 68 | ~10 |
| Term 4 | Mon 19 October | Fri 18 December | 61 | ~9 |
Start: Friday 19 December 2025
End: Wednesday 4 February 2026
Duration: 47 days
Start: Saturday 18 April 2026
End: Sunday 3 May 2026
Duration: 16 days
Start: Saturday 11 July 2026
End: Sunday 26 July 2026
Duration: 16 days
Start: Saturday 3 October 2026
End: Sunday 18 October 2026
Duration: 16 days
Start: Saturday 19 December 2026
End: Wednesday 4 February 2027
Duration: 47 days
Two access routes connect Tasmania to the mainland: the Spirit of Tasmania ferry (Melbourne to Devonport, 11-hour overnight crossing, capacity for vehicles) and direct flights to Hobart and Launceston from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and the Gold Coast. Ferry tickets during school break periods sell out 6–8 weeks in advance. Vehicle hire is available at both airports and the Devonport ferry terminal.
| Break Period | Dates | Hobart Temp | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summer Holidays | Dec–Jan | 12–22°C | Mild, long daylight hours (6am–9pm). Peak tourism season. Book accommodation 8+ weeks ahead. |
| Autumn Break | April | 8–16°C | Cool. Autumn foliage peaks. Quieter tourism period. Fungi season in forests. |
| Winter Break | July | 3–12°C | Cold. Snow on kunanyi/Mount Wellington and Central Highlands. Some walking tracks closed. |
| Spring Break | Sep–Oct | 8–16°C | Variable. Gardens and wildflowers emerging. Whale watching season (Southern Right whales). |
Salamanca Market operates every Saturday in Hobart's waterfront precinct with over 300 stalls. kunanyi/Mount Wellington (1,271 m) provides panoramic views of Hobart and the Derwent River via a 21 km summit road. The Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) occupies a 6,000 m² subterranean gallery — it contains the largest privately funded museum collection in Australia. Port Arthur Historic Site, 90 km southeast of Hobart, preserves a convict-era penal settlement (UNESCO World Heritage listed). Bruny Island (a 20-minute ferry from Kettering) supports an albatross colony, whale watching, and artisan cheese and oyster producers.
Cradle Mountain (1,545 m) is Tasmania's most visited natural landmark. The Dove Lake circuit walk (6 km, 2 hours) follows a boardwalk accessible for most fitness levels. The Overland Track (65 km, 6 days) connects Cradle Mountain to Lake St Clair — Australia's deepest natural freshwater lake (167 m). Wombats, Bennett's wallabies, and Tasmanian devils are resident in the park. Cradle Mountain Lodge provides the primary accommodation within walking distance of trail heads.
Wineglass Bay is a 1.2 km crescent beach enclosed by pink granite peaks (The Hazards). The lookout walk from the car park covers 2.6 km return (1–1.5 hours). The full beach descent adds 5 km return. Coles Bay, adjacent to the park, provides accommodation, restaurants, and kayak hire. Wildlife — wallabies, wombats, and sea eagles — is abundant within the park boundary.
Cataract Gorge is a natural gorge within the Launceston city limits, featuring a 308-metre single-span chairlift, walking tracks, and a swimming basin. The Tamar Valley wine region extends 60 km north from Launceston to the coast. Platypus House at Beauty Point and Seahorse World provide marine and freshwater wildlife exhibits. Stanley, on the northwest coast, features The Nut (a 152 m volcanic plug) with a chairlift to the summit plateau.
Tasmania is the only habitat of the Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii) in the wild. Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary (30 minutes from Hobart) and Trowunna Wildlife Sanctuary (near Mole Creek) house captive populations in natural enclosures. Little penguins (Eudyptula minor) emerge nightly at Bicheno and Low Head. Wombats are commonly sighted at Cradle Mountain at dusk.
A car is the primary transport mode — public bus services outside Hobart and Launceston are limited. Hobart to Launceston spans 200 km (2.5 hours). Hobart to Cradle Mountain covers 300 km (4 hours). Roads are sealed on main routes but narrower and more winding than mainland highways. Wildlife collisions peak at dawn and dusk — reduced speed in rural areas is warranted. GPS journey time estimates underestimate travel time on mountain roads by 20–30%.
Tasmania experiences rapid weather changes colloquially described as "four seasons in one day." Layered clothing and a waterproof jacket are necessary gear regardless of season. Highland areas (Cradle Mountain, Central Plateau) record temperatures 5–10°C cooler than coastal regions. Snow falls on kunanyi/Mount Wellington and highland areas between May and October.
Accommodation types range from heritage convict-built lodges to wilderness eco-cabins, caravan parks, and camping grounds. Cradle Mountain and Freycinet National Park accommodation requires booking 8–12 weeks ahead during summer and autumn school breaks. Self-contained cottages and holiday houses are the predominant family accommodation type in regional Tasmania. Properties with wood-burning fireplaces are common in highland areas.