Located in the southernmost part of Australia’s mainland Victoria is cooler and wetter than other mainland states. Victoria is geographically the smalles of the mainland states. But, in spite of its small size , and because if its coastal location, and its mountain range located in the center of the state, it has extreme temperature variation.

The Mallee and upper Wimmera, located in the semi-arid northwestern part of the state is Victoria’s warmest region. Nearby desert winds cause temperatures to average 86 degrees F in the summer and 59 degrees F in the winter months. Unlike other parts of the state, the northwest gets very little rainfall, averaging only 10″ annually.

The mountainous northeastern region of Victoria is the wettest with average rainfall of 71″. Temperatures are cooler with averages ranging from 48 degrees F to 32 degrees F in the higher altitude areas. Due to its colder temperatures this area of Victoria is the only one to have snowfall.

The coastal plain area of Victoria has the mildest climate in the state. Warm air from the southern ocean keeps both summer and winter temperatures mild. The western coastal plains experience the most reliable rainfall with more frequent rainstorms in winter, but more precipitation in the summer.