Tasmania Australia

Tasmania is Australia’s only island state and is separated from the Australian mainland by Bass Strait. Located between the southern latitudes of 40 and 44, Tasmania is like no other Australian state.

With abundant year round rainfall – some parts receive in excess of 3,500mm a year – Tasmania is clean and green and one of Australia’s most scenic destinations.
Tasmania is a land of rolling green hills, towering and rugged peaks, national parks and world heritage areas.

One of the first parts of Australia to be settled by Europeans, Tasmania has a wild and interesting past. It has a fascinating history of convict settlement and today the old penal colony of Port Arthur on the Tasman Peninsula remains one of the island’s most popular tourist destinations.

Tasmania is serviced by air and sea, with the majority of services leaving from Melbourne. Commercial airlines fly into several Tasmanian destinations – Hobart, Launceston, Devonport and Burnie – on a daily basis.

Ferry services across Bass Strait travel between Melbourne and Davenport on a daily schedule and travelers and take their car or campervan on ferries.
Visitors must be mindful that Tasmania with its southern latitudes experiences a temperate maritime climate and though summers are generally warm, it can be cool at any time of the year.

Hobart is Tasmania’s largest city and is nestled on the mouth of the Derwent River. Hobart is the second oldest state capital and retains much of the architecture from its colonial past. Many fine examples of colonial Australian have been saved and there are numerous renovated sandstone buildings dotted around Hobart’s downtown area.

A vast amount of Tasmania has been preserved by inclusion as national park or world heritage listing.

In fact, Tasmania has more land protected as national park or  world heritage listing than any other Australian state and 20% of the state is  protected World Heritage Area.

Visitors must pay a fee to enjoy many of Tasmania’s national parks and passes can be purchased at a number of outlets, including the ferries crossing Bass Strait.
Fruit and vegetable production remains one of the most important contributors to the economy of Tasmania and the island is often termed the “Apple Isle” because of its large acreages of apple trees.

However tourism is an ever increasing contributor to Tasmania’s wealth, while there are a number of industries based in the state attracted by hydroelectric power provided by its raging rivers.