Tasmania's distinct seasons are on full show in Launceston Tamar Valley. Closer to the Equator than to Antarctica (at 41 25' south), the city of Launceston is sited on the equivalent latitude to Barcelona and San Francisco in the northern hemisphere. If you reckon there's something about the light in those cities, there's definitely something about "Lonnie's": the clarity of a diamond, the sheer glint of cut glass, yet soft as it drapes over hillsides. Yes, it's painterly.  The ratio of artists living in Tasmania is thought to be greater than any other Australian state, and the annual John Glover Art Prize is northern Tasmania's prestige art event.

Spilling over rolling hills, along the West and East side of the Tamar, Launceston faces north, waking up with Shanghai and Tokyo. The city is centrally located, with most major centres no more than two and a half hours away. The half valley-half maritime climate marries the look of the English countryside with the Australian bush. And unlike other Australian regions, Launceston Tamar Valley has four seasons - sometimes in one day, locals say…

Count on fresh rains in spring (our rain water is sold in posh London restaurants), hot sun on your back in summer (average temp: 24 degrees Celsius), the luscious golds and reds of a deciduous autumn, and a dusting of snow in our beautifully crisp winter (average max temp: 13 degrees Celsius). And the valley's topology means this: milder temperatures (great for cool climate wines), without the extremes of heat, humidity or cold.

Like Scotland in the northern hemisphere, Tassie's twilight is infamous. Here you can enjoy sauntering through much longer days than the rest of Australia, and toasting our endlessly stretched sunsets.  Mothers will advise you to "pack layers", no matter what time of year. But don't forget the sunscreen.