The wait for snow was over as a year of mild weather gave way to yesterday's sudden shower, according to local Tara Boutcher. 

Mrs Boutcher, manager of the Great Lake Hotel, left a dry work late Wednesday night and returned the next morning to a steadily-increasing snowfall. 

``I didn't expect it [this heavy],'' she said.

``We didn't get snowfall until August last year - it snowed every weekend.

``You just don't know, you never know up here.''

However, visitors braving the cold conditions were just happy to witness a Northern snow season.

Exploring the Highlands with a friend, Sydney resident Connie Campbell was struck by the ``spectacular'' landscape.

``I'm leaving tonight, and we noticed there was snow on the mountain and so hit the road and chased it up here,'' Ms Campbell said.  

``Tasmania's so different, it kind of looks like Canada or Ireland.

``I've never experienced snow like this -  pretty spectacular, stunning really.''