The recent cold snap sweeping across southern Australia coldest inhabited place has been so intense that it has shattered weather records this week. However, those feeling the chill should spare a thought for the two residents of Liawenee, the coldest inhabited place in Australia.
Located in the central Tasmanian highlands, Liawenee is famous for its trout fishing and holds the title of Australia’s chilliest settlement. With a population of just two—one a police officer and the other an Inland Fisheries Service officer—this tiny hamlet regularly experiences some of the nation’s coldest temperatures.
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On Thursday morning July 04, 2024, Liawenee recorded a minimum temperature of -13.5 degrees Celsius, with a wind chill making it feel like -16 degrees. According to Weatherzone, this was the lowest temperature ever recorded for a July morning in Tasmania.
This isn’t the first time Liawenee has made headlines for its frigid climate. In August 2020, it recorded the second coldest temperature ever in Australia at -14.2 degrees Celsius. The record for the lowest temperature in Australia is held by Charlotte Pass in the NSW Snowy Mountains, where it plummeted to -23 degrees in July 1994.
Originally a hydro village, Liawenee is nestled near Tasmania’s Great Lake and is a popular spot for trout fishing events. Despite the extreme cold, the area boasts stunning frost-covered landscapes, as captured by Hobart-based photographer Gill Dayton. “It’s the first time I’ve seen a frost as thick as this, that has lasted all day,” Dayton told 9news.com.au.
The bone-chilling mornings in Liawenee are due to a combination of a large mass of cold air, clear skies, light winds, and a strengthening high-pressure system over southern Australia. Forecasters predict that this high-pressure system will continue to bring bitterly cold temperatures across southeastern Australia in the coming days.
So, while the cold may have many of us shivering, the residents of Liawenee take it all in stride, proving that life can thrive even in Australia’s most frigid corner.
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Stay Warm and Informed
To keep up with the latest weather updates and records, visit our Weather News page. If you’re planning a trip to Tasmania, check out our guide on the best spots for trout fishing and other activities in Liawenee and the surrounding areas.
