Bushwalk Australia

Hi,
Me and a friend of mine will visit Tasmania around 12th of January.
What weather conditions should we prepare for?
According to this wikipedia page http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Climate_of_Tasmania
it's going to be around 20C during the day and around 10C at night.
What should we expect at the Overland track is going to colder?
What kind of sleeping bag should we bring? (will -4C comfort temperature bag will suit for Tasmania at this time of the year? Is it too hot?)

Any additional tips and hints are welcomed

Thanks
Slava (Tel Aviv, Israel)

For the Overland track you might have warm weather or you might have cool to cold weather (& possibly wet too) If you are from a warm climate, you might feel cold. The minus 4 bag should be quite adequate unless you are a cold sleeper. You are not likely to get negative temps BUT it will very prob be single digit temps and maybe lowish. It is POSSIBLE but not very likely it can snow in January. You might also conversely get a heat wave.

The "average" temps for up there are possibly more like 13 to 15 max and 5 to 9 min for Jan BUT you might get warmer OR cooler.

Nobody can be specific that far out and the potential range of temps in that area that time of year is actually wide ranging. You will need to check the outlook just before you head to Tas.

Be prepared for all conditions. It's an exposed area in many places and the weather is variable - you can still strike snow during summer. The average temperatures would probably be a bit lower and, of course being 'averages', you can get outliers higher and lower over the week you're on the Track.

It can be a bit crowded in the peak season so don't expect a spot in the huts - tent plus -4 bag and thermals should see you being comfortable.

Have had well below 0 in January, often the clear nights will be very cold especially at Kia Ora where the cold air drainage off Mt Massif is brutal.

However -4 sleeping bag should be okay, just slap your thermals on if its particularly chilly night.