Chasing Snow Across Tasmania

A Winter Photography Adventure from Hobart to Queenstown

Every winter I keep a close eye on the forecasts, waiting for one of those rare Tasmanian weather events where everything lines up perfectly. Heavy snow, active weather, and enough fresh coverage to transform the Central Highlands and West Coast into a winter wonderland.

When the forecast looked promising, two good friends and I packed the cameras before sunrise and headed west from Hobart towards Queenstown.

It turned out to be one of the best snow photography days I've experienced in years.

Lake St Clair Comes Alive

Our first major stop was Lake St Clair.

Fresh snow covered the jetty, surrounding mountains and forests while regular snow showers drifted across the lake. Every few minutes the weather changed, revealing new compositions as cloud rolled through.

The contrast between the dark water and brilliant white snow created some spectacular photographic opportunities.

Snow Gum Forests

The snow gum forests were undoubtedly one of the highlights of the day.

Fresh snow coated every branch while the smooth, colourful trunks of Tasmania's snow gums stood out beautifully against the white landscape. Soft overcast light allowed every texture and subtle colour to shine.

These forests are magical after snowfall and provided endless opportunities for intimate landscape photography.

Open Buttongrass Plains

Crossing the open buttongrass plains revealed an entirely different side of Tasmania's winter landscape.

Fence lines disappeared beneath snow while pastel light broke through the clouds, creating one of the most minimalist scenes of the day.

Surprise Valley & The West Coast Wilderness

As we continued west the snow became heavier.

Surprise Valley looked extraordinary, with rainforest completely blanketed in fresh snow. Winding roads disappeared beneath thick white cover while heavy snow showers continually swept through the valleys.

Driving conditions became increasingly challenging with blizzard-like conditions reducing visibility at times.

Lunch in Queenstown

By lunchtime we reached Queenstown and settled into the West Coast Wilderness Railway Café.

As luck would have it, the historic steam train rolled back into the station while we were eating, returning from its daily journey through Tasmania's rugged west coast wilderness.

Watching steam rise into the freezing air while snow continued falling was one of those moments that perfectly captures winter in Tasmania.

Winter Roads

Driving home proved just as memorable.

Snow-covered roads, frequent blizzards and constantly changing visibility demanded patience and respect.

We also encountered a few drivers towing caravans through the snow—something that certainly made for an interesting day on Tasmania's mountain roads!

Wildlife in the Snow

One unexpected highlight was photographing a Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo resting quietly amongst snow-covered branches.

It's not every day you see these iconic birds surrounded by fresh snow.

Leica in Winter

Every photograph from this adventure was captured using the Leica SL3 and Leica Q3.

Both cameras performed flawlessly throughout freezing temperatures, constant snowfall and wet conditions. Having two different focal lengths available meant I could quickly switch between sweeping landscapes and intimate woodland scenes without missing a moment.

Final Thoughts

Days like this remind me why Tasmania is one of Australia's greatest destinations for landscape photography.

Within a single day we experienced blizzards, pristine snow forests, alpine landscapes, native wildlife and one of the most beautiful winter drives anywhere in the country.

If you're prepared to chase the weather, Tasmania will reward you with scenes that rival winter destinations anywhere in the world.

Camera Gear: Leica SL3 • Leica Q3

Thanks for following along,

Cam Blake
Cam Blake Photography