Tasmania, Australia | Article about Tasmania, Australia by The Free Dictionary Tasmania, Australia | Article about Tasmania, Australia by The Free Dictionary Also found in: Dictionary , Thesaurus , Wikipedia . Tasmania (tăzmā`nēə), island state (1991 pop. 359,286), 26,383 sq mi (68,332 sq km), SE Commonwealth of Australia. It is separated from Australia by the Bass Strait and lies 150 mi (240 km) south of the state of Victoria. Tasmania includes many offshore islands, among which are Bruny, the Hunter Islands, the Furneaux Group Furneaux Group , about 25 islands, c.900 sq mi (2,330 sq km), Tasmania, SE Australia, in Bass Strait between Tasmania and the Australian mainland. The largest is Flinders Island, and the group forms Flinders municipality. ..... Click the link for more information. , King Island, and Macquarie Island. The Indian Ocean is to the west and the Pacific Ocean to the east. Hobart Hobart, city (1990 pop.

127,134), capital and principal port of Tasmania, SE Australia, at the foot of Mt. Wellington (4,166 ft/1,270 m high). Hobart's harbor is one of the finest in the world. ..... Click the link for more information. is the state capital. The only other city with a population of more than 50,000 is Launceston Launceston , city (1991 pop. 66,747), on Tasmania, SE Australia, where the North Esk and South Esk rivers join to form the Tamar estuary; founded 1806. Launceston is the second most populous city in Tasmania and the main port for trade with the Australian mainland. ..... Click the link for more information. . Tasmania is geologically similar to the Australian continent and was once connected to it. The climate is equable and the rainfall moderate. The island is mountainous with considerable forestation; Legge Tor (5,160 ft/1,573 m) is the highest peak. Great Lake in the interior is the largest lake and the reservoir of an important hydroelectric plant.

Tasmania has the highest proportion of national park land of all Australian states; a little less than half the island is protected. Sawmilling and woodchipping industries are important. Agriculture is confined almost exclusively to small farms; among the crops grown are opium poppies for medicinal drugs. The raising of sheep for wool in the east and dairy farming in the northwest are also important. The mining of copper, zinc, tin, lead, and iron has increased in recent years. The state's major manufactures are metals and metal products. Tourism also is growing in significance, due in part to better ferry connections to the continent. The island was explored in 1642 by the Dutch navigator Abel Tasman, who named it Van Diemen's Land. Capt. James Cook visited the island in 1777 and, in 1803, Great Britain took possession and established a penal colony. The indigenous population, which had been on the island some 35,000 years, numbered about 5,000 at the time of colonization; they were subsequently decimated, with only a few mixed-race survivors.

Governed by New South Wales until 1825, Tasmania was then constituted as a separate colony. The transportation of convicts ended in 1853 as a result of local opposition. In the 1850s the British established constitutional self-government in the colony and the name was officially changed to Tasmania. In 1901, Tasmania was federated as a state in the Commonwealth of Australia. The nominal head of the state government is the governor, appointed by the British crown on advice of the cabinet; however, actual executive powers are exercised by the premier and the cabinet, who are responsible to the bicameral state parliament. Tasmania an island off the southeastern coast of Australia, separated from the mainland by Bass Strait. Together with neighboring islands, including King and Flinders, forms a state in the Commonwealth of Australia. Area, 68,300 sq km. Population, 397,100 (1973). The overwhelming majority of the inhabitants of Tasmania are Anglo-Australians, and there are a small number of emigrants from Great Britain, the Netherlands, and several other European countries.

The Tasmanian aborigines no longer exist; there is only a small group of métis. The capital of Tasmania is Hobart. The island of Tasmania is a structural continuation of the Great Dividing Range of Australia. There are numerous harbors and bays, including Macquarie Harbor and Storm Bay. The relief is dominated by isolated steeply sloping plateaus and highlands with elevations ranging from 600 to 1,000 m. The Midlands, a lowland along the Tamar and Macquarie rivers, separates Ben Lomond (with Legges Tor, 1,572 m) from the plateau that occupies the central part of the island. The highest peak in Tasmania (1,617 m), Mount Ossa, is situated on the plateau. The most important minerals include complex-metal and iron ores, tin, copper, and gold. The climate in the north is subtropical, and in the south, temperate and humid. In Hobart the average July temperature is 8°C, and the average February temperature is 17°C. On the plateaus and in the mountains, the temperatures in winter are below 0°C.

Annual precipitation in the western half of Tasmania is more than 1,000 mm (2,800 mm in Macquarie Harbor), and it averages 600 mm in the eastern half. The largest rivers, the Tamar and Macquarie in the north and the Derwent in the south, have high water levels but contain rapids and are navigable only in their lower courses. There are many lakes of glacial origin on the central plateau. There are brown forest soils in the west and podzolized and mountain-meadow soils in the mountains; in the north and east are yellow soils and red earths. Mountain rain forests of eucalyptus, conifers, and treelike ferns combined with alpine vegetation grow in the west and southwest. The central part and the southeast are dominated by sclerophyll eucalyptus rain forests, meadows, and moss and grass bogs; humid and dry sclerophyll eucalyptus forests combined with alpine vegetation grow in the northeast. The fauna is the same as in Australia (see AUSTRALIAN REGION ). Industry is the main branch of Tasmania’s economy.

After World War II (1939–45), energy-intensive branches of industry developed rapidly in connection with the utilization of the island’s abundant hydroelectric resources. The total capacity of the island’s electric power plants is 1,322.4 megawatts (MW), and the production of electric power is 7 billion kilowatt-hours (1973). The largest hydroelectric power plants are Poatina (250 MW) and Tungatinah (125,000 kW); there is also a steam power plant at Bell Bay (120 MW). Among the ores mined in Tasmania (1972–73, in tons, by metal content) are copper at Mount Lyell (26,800), iron in the Savage River valley (1.696 million), zinc (72,600), lead (23,100), and tin. Gold, silver, and coal (128,500 tons) are also mined.

In the non-ferrous metallurgy industry, electrolytic copper, zinc, lead, cadmium, and cobalt are produced in Risdon, a suburb of Hobart, titanium dioxide is produced in Burnie, and aluminum and ferromanganese are produced in Bell Bay. There are pulp and paper, textile, and food enterprises in Hobart, Devonport, and Launceston. Other enterprises include a cement plant, a large bearing plant in Launceston, sawmills and wood-products enterprises, and a manufacturer of mineral fertilizers. There is also a logging industry. The main branch of agriculture is livestock raising; in 1973 there were 3.8 million sheep, 900,000 head of cattle, and 85,000 hogs. The wool clip is 18,200 tons (1972–73). Cultivated land accounts for 2 percent of the total, and fodder and vegetable crops predominate. There is also fruit growing (mostly apples), and wheat is the chief grain crop. The main port is Hobart, with a freight turnover of 1.5 million tons (1971–72).

There are air and sea links with the mainland. Tasmania was discovered in 1642 by the Dutch navigator A. Tasman. In 1788 the island, then called Van Diemen’s Land, was proclaimed an English possession and was included in the colony of New South Wales. In 1825, Van Diemen’s Land became a separate colony; it acquired its present name in 1853. By the mid-19th century, almost all the suitable land had been taken by speculators and major livestock raisers, who used convict labor; in 1840 convicts made up two-thirds of the adult population. Tasmania achieved autonomy in 1855. In the second half of the 19th century, gold mining, railroad construction, and shipbuilding developed rapidly. The first trade unions appeared in the 1880’s. After the formation of the Commonwealth of Australia in 1901, Tasmania became one of its states. V. M.

A Victoria Facts | About Australia About Australia Facts Victoria Facts Hugging the tip of the Australian east coast, Victoria is Australia’s second-smallest state, covering 227,600 square kilometres – roughly the size of the British Isles. Victoria’s capital, Melbourne is located around the shores of Port Phillip Bay. The city itself sits beside the Yarra River, about five kilometres from the bay. Physical features Victoria occupies the south east corner of the continent between latitudes 34 and 39 south and longitudes 141 and 150 east. It covers 227 600 km2 – about the same area as England, Wales and Scotland; three-fifths of Japan and slightly larger than the US State of Utah. About 36 per cent of Victoria is covered by forest with the major forest belt in the east. The highest peaks are Mt Bogong (1986 m) and Mt Feathertop (1922 m). Victoria’s 1800 km coastline borders on Bass Strait, which separates the mainland from Tasmania, and in the west on the Southern Ocean.

It’s a generally rugged coastline but includes many wide sandy beaches and three large, almost fully enclosed harbours. Melbourne and Geelong are on the shores of the most important of these harbours, Port Phillip Bay. Climate Temperatures vary widely but most of the State falls within the warm, temperate belt of the south-east corner of Australia, characterised by warm and dry summers and cool to mild, wet, winters. Daily summer temperatures range from 14 to 23 C in the coastal areas, 11 to 20 C in the mountains and 16 to 31 C inland. In winter, temperatures range from 7 C to 14 C in coastal areas, 0 C to 5 C in the mountains and 5 C to 16 C inland. Snow settles on the Australian Alps in the north-east of Victoria from June to September. Rainfall is heaviest in the eastern highlands, in Gippsland in the east of the State and in the Otway Ranges in western Victoria. Some areas receive annual rainfalls of more than 1000 mm. Lowest falls are in the Mallee region, where the average is 327 mm.

Melbourne’s average rainfall is about 660 mm a year. Primary industry Victoria produces almost a quarter of Australia’s total rural output. Agricultural and pastoral products include wool, sheepmeat and beef, wheat, oats, barley, maize, tobacco, hops and fodder crops, citrus, grapes, apples, stone fruits and vegetables and dairy products. Victoria is Australia’s main producer of mutton and lamb, dairy products and dried vine fruits and substantial amounts are exported. Victoria is also an important producer of timber from its 8 million hectares of forests. This includes 223 000 hectares of forest plantations. Oil and mining The Latrobe Valley, east of Melbourne, has one of the world’s largest deposits of brown coal and is the resource base for Victoria’s internationally competitive supply of electricity. The coal is used to produce most of the State’s electricity. Large oil and natural gas fields exist in the Gippsland Basin, off the coast of eastern Victoria. These provide 50 per cent of Australia’s domestic oil production, while assuring Victoria of natural gas supplies well into the next century. Most of Australia’s large mining and minerals processing companies are headquartered in Melbourne.

It is also a major centre for mining project management, research and development. Manufacturing Victoria is one of Australia’s major manufacturing States. Its factories employ about 34 per cent of the national labour force. Large industries include automotive manufacture, food processing, textiles, clothing and footwear, paper and paper products, oil refining, petrochemicals, aluminium smelting, information technology and telecommunications and aircraft production. The food processing sector contributes 26 per cent of the State’s manufactured exports. A major aluminium smelting industry is located at Portland and Point Henry, producing about half a million tonnes of aluminium a year. Victoria accounts for some 45 per cent of Australia’s communications industry production. Major telecommunications equipment manufacturers and computer companies are also located in the state. Other significant industries include forest products (including pulp and paper production), chemicals, plastics and rubber and scientific and medical instruments. Government Victoria’s State parliament consists of an 88-member Legislative Assembly and a 44- member Legislative Council. The State Governor, as representative of the Queen, is Head of State and gives formal assent to legislation. The judiciary comprises Magistrates’ Courts, Country Courts and the Supreme Court and is the final arbiter of legal disputes.

Education Schooling is compulsory for all children between the ages of six and 15. Thirty-nine per cent of graduating final-year secondary students go on to tertiary studies. The State has eight universities in Melbourne and in country areas. There is a comprehensive technical education system catering for trades and sub-professional training needs. Transport Melbourne’s public transport system consists of major roads, railways and tramways that fan out from the central business district. Melbourne’s tramway network supplements an extensive electrified suburban rail network and bus services. Because it is densely populated by Australian standards, the State has good roads reaching into all but the most remote regions. National highways connect Melbourne with Sydney to the north and Adelaide to the west. Melbourne has the nation’s busiest general cargo port and largest container port. Eight domestic airlines and 30 international airlines provide regular services into Melbourne’s international airport, Tullamarine. Trade Victoria’s major trading partners are Japan, USA, New Zealand and Singapore. Gold, textile fibres, non-ferrous metal products, dairy products and meat products are the major exports. Main imports are vehicles and machinery, largely from the USA and Japan.

Tourism Tourism is a major industry employing some nine per cent of Victoria’s workforce and catering for more than 600 000 international visitors and nearly 11 million domestic visitors each year Melbourne is within a short drive of beaches, ski resorts, a richly varied rural hinterland and spectacular forests. Visitors can stay on host farms, or hire a metal detector in country where prospectors still find gold nuggets more than 140 years after the gold rushes. Water sports, rock climbing, gliding, hang gliding and hot air ballooning are available. In the far north west, the Mildura district is an irrigated fruit growing oasis on the arid fringes of the outback. Westward are basalt plains studded with extinct volcanoes and the grand colonial mansions of the squatters, the pioneers who made Victoria some of the world’s richest fine wool country. Kangaroos and koalas can be seen in the national parks, and there is a famous dusk parade of fairy penguins on Phillip Island. Melbourne Zoo and Healesville Sanctuary are also worth a visit. The city of Melbourne is noted for its many fine restaurants.

Bass Strait Facts for Kids | KidzSearch.com Jump to: navigation , search Map of Australia with Bass Strait marked in light blue Bass Strait is a sea strait separating Tasmania from the south of the Australian mainland, specifically the state of Victoria . The strait was named after George Bass who travelled it in 1798. [1] It is about 240 km wide at its narrowest point and generally around 50 metres deep. It has many islands, with King Island and Flinders Island home to many towns. The water is very rough, with many ships lost in the 19th century. A lighthouse was built on Deal Island in 1848 to help ships in the eastern part of the Straits. On the west, the Cape Otway Lighthouse was first lit in 1848. Another lighthouse was at Cape Wickham at the northern end of King Island in 1861. Islands Australia - Travel and Tourism Australia ^ > < General Information Please note that this site is "Under Construction" indefinately and is not intended for public viewing. The information herein is not inteded to be disseminated in any way.

Information has been copied from various sources and may be copyright. This page is for the sole purpose of personal study, for myself only. Australia is a vast island continent situated south of Indonesia and Papua New Guinea between the Pacific and Indian oceans. The world's sixth largest country, Australia measures some 4000km (2500mi) east to west and 3200km (2000mi) north to south. Much of the interior of the country is flat, barren and extremely sparsely populated. The bulk of the population lives on the narrow, fertile eastern coastal plain and on the south-eastern coast. The continent-long Great Dividing Range runs north-south down the eastern seaboard, separating the coastal plain from the drier inland areas. The Great Barrier Reef lies between 50-300km (30-185mi) offshore and extends 2000km (1240mi) from the Torres Strait to Gladstone. Area: 2,966,152 sq miles (7,682,300 sq km) Detailed Map In 1999, 4.3 million international visitors came to Australia.

Total arrivals in 2000 exceeded 4.9 million. Australias population is about 19.5 million. Australia welcomes overseas visitors. However, anyone who is not an Australian citizen needs a valid visa to enter and spend time in Australia. There are different visas for tourists, business people, sports people, students and others . All visas must be obtained before travelling. Electronic (and free) Visas are available to Americans and some other countries. What to Pack: Australian lifestyle is generally informal and the accepted norm is to dress for comfort. We recommend you pack lightweight, comfortable clothes and shoes while a sun hat, sun glasses and sun cream are must have. If you're visiting during winter, leave space for a jacket or sweater; and if you're planning a special occasion a more formal outfit may be required. Australia's sunny climate makes for a great vacation weather but sunburn is best avoided. Wear a shady hat and cover up exposed skin with long sleeves or strong sunscreen. Wear factor 15+ [sun lotion] and try to avoid exposure during the hottest part of the day-- from 10am to 3pm.

Climate : Australias winter months are from May to October, with July having the lowest average temperature countrywide. Alpine areas are the coldest, with temperatures averaging between 5°C (43°F) and -5°C (20°F), while the tropics stay in the pluses, recording an average of between 5°C (43°F) and 30°C (100°F). The electrical current in Australia is 240/250 volt AC 50Hz. The Australian 3-pin power outlet is different so you will need an adaptor socket. If your appliances are 110v check if there is a 110/240v switch. If not, you will need a voltage converter. Motoring : International licences or current drivers' licences written in English are accepted but restrictions may apply to drivers under 25 or over 75. Australians drive on the left hand side of the road. Visitors to Australia generally do not have access to the tax-supported health system, and should obtain advice about appropriate health insurance. Visitors should acquaint themselves with Australia's customs , immigration and quarantine laws before travelling. The Australian Tourist Commision may be of interest.

Guide to Australia Visiting Australia About Australia Customs Immigration Quarantine Motoring Climate World Time Convertor Units Convertor Currency Convertor Maps Tourist Map Click for Australia Online Tour Guide Photo Tour ^ > < Money Australia's currency is the Australian Dollar. The most commonly accepted credit cards are American Express, Bankcard, Carte Blanche, Diners Club, MasterCard, Visa and their affiliates. Use may be restricted in smaller towns and country areas and small retail shops. Also, you should try and cash travelers checks at banks or larger hotels as it may be difficult elsewhere. ATM cards can be used in Australia at both ATMs (Automatic Teller Machines) and at participating retail locations, so long as they have been enabled for international access. Your ATM card must carry either the CIRRUS, PLUS or STAR international ATM mark or the Interlink or Maestro POS mark. Travelers should contact their bank at home for information on availability and service charges. Also, get the best exchange rates and find out where your credit cards will or won't be accepted. In addition, when traveling to an exotic location, trip insurance is always a good precaution.

Meals: Mid-range: US$15-60 Top-end: US$60 and upwards The biggest advantage of exchanging money with your ATM card is that all cash withdrawals, regardless of size, are exchanged based on the wholesale exchange rate which is usually reserved only for very large interbank exchanges. This rate is often 2-5% better than what you can get from exchanging traveler's checks at a local exchange counter. In addition, local banks or money change bureaus will add on transaction fees which can easily eat up another 2% of your money. Your bank should be able to give you a listing of all ATMs available on your network. CIRRUS users can also call (800) 424-7787 for a current list of locations worldwide . (There's heaps in Australia, only the most remote areas are without an ATM). The Cirrus network is associated with Mastercard and Cirrus ATMs usually accept Mastercard for cash advances and vice versa. If you want to use your ATM card overseas, keep in mind that many ATMs abroad, particularly in Europe, do not accept PINs that are longer than four digits.

If your PIN is longer, you can go to your local bank and have it changed. If your PIN is based on letters rather than numbers, translate the letters into numbers before leaving the country. We found several ATMs that only had numbers on the keypad. Also, keep in mind that most ATMs abroad will only let you access the primary account on your ATM card. Banks are open Monday to Thursday from 9.30am to 4.00pm and until 5.00pm on Fridays. Automatic tellers are available 24 hours a day in most areas. Cirrus and PLUS ATMs overseas work pretty much like they work at home. You will probably be charged the same transaction fee, if any, that your bank charges you when using other bank ATMs. However, you should check with your bank before using your ATM card at non-branch ATMs or abroad. ATM transaction fees are becoming more commonplace and increasingly surcharges are being imposed by both the customer's bank and the ATM's owner as well. Some banks are reportedly charging as much as $5 per transaction for the use of overseas ATMs, however, most banks do have much more reasonable fees.

New South Wales ^ > < NSW - The First State New South Wales is in the south-east of the country and is the most populous and heavily industrialized state in Australia with its capital Sydney. It is Australia's largest state with a total area of 802 000 square kilometers (309 653 square miles) and a population of 6.5 million people. New South Wales is the most varied of all states with four main zones: The Seaboard and coastal lowlands which has over 1300 kilometers (807 miles) of coastline; the Tablelands formed by the Great Dividing Range and comprising of an almost unbroken series of plateau varying in width from 50 kilometers to 160 kilometers (30 miles to 100 miles) (the Snowy Mountains region has the highest peak on the continent, Mount Kosciusko, which is 2228 meters (7309 feet)); the Western slopes which is a fertile region with the rivers flowing inland including the Darling and Murray River which is 1900 kilometres (1180 miles) long; and the Western plains comprising of almost two thirds of the state.

This area has poor rainfall and limited river water thus causing the fertile soil to fall short of its potential. New South Wales' climate is a temperate climate and is generally free of extreme heat and cold, however the Snowy Mountains experience snow and winter frosts over long periods of time. If your desire is to freeze to death in Australia, you could do worse than the Snowy Mountains in Winter. Photo Tour | Tourism NSW | Visit NSW | ^ > < Sydney Sydney is where most International tourists fly into , especially from America. Most other cities require a stop-off enroute. Other international airports include Melbourne and Brisbane, followed by Perth, Adelaide, Hobart, Darwin and Cairns. Population 4 million. Sydney | International Airport | Opera House | Harbour Ferries | Blue Mountains | Blue Mountains | Bush Walking Information ^ > < Blue Mountains The Blue Mountains , only 90 minutes drive from Sydney, is one of the most spectacular wilderness parks in Australia. These richly forested hills offer cliff-top views across gum tree valleys and craggy outcrops, superb bushwalking, scenic drives and adventure activities, as well as historic towns built from timber and stone.

^ > < Snowy Mountains The Snowy Mountains boast trout-filled mountain streams, silent bushland, breathtaking vistas, rugged gorges, alpine lakes and fresh mountain air. In winter, the slopes are covered with snow - perfect for downhill and cross-country skiers. At other times wildflowers cloak the high plains. ^ > < Murray River The mighty Murray River travels over 2500 kilometres (1553 miles) through three states, ending its journey in South Australia. Enjoy wonderful scenery, cruise on a paddle steamer, relive the history of river towns, visit boutique wineries and experience the incredible wildlife of the river. ^ > < Lightning Ridge The extraordinary opal mining town of Lightning Ridge is a place of tall tales, drills and hoists, and true outback characters. See a castle built by hand, take a dip in a hot artesian bath beneath the stars, meet the locals in a 'wild west' pub, and tour an underground mine or two. ^ > < Mount Warning National Park The Mount Warning Shield Volcano forms a spectacular mountainous backdrop to the entire region, with its peak receiving Australia's first rays of sunshine.

Walk through tropical rainforest thick with life at the World Heritage listed Mount Warning, Nightcap and Border Ranges national parks. ^ > < Dorrigo National Park The World Heritage listed Dorrigo National Park is one of the best rainforest areas in Australia. The elevated Skywalk offers a bird's-eye view of the forest while ground level walks meander through the thick vegetation as tropical birds flutter by. Australian Capital Territory ^ > < ACT - Heart of the Nation The Australian Government took possession of 2357 square kilometers (910 square miles) of land from New South Wales in 1911 to form the Australian Capital Territory as the site for the Australia National Capital. That capital, Canberra, lies between Sydney, 307 kilometers (190 miles) north-east and Melbourne 655 kilometers (406 miles) south-west. The name Canberra came from the Aboriginal word meaning 'meeting place'. Population 314,200 none ^ > < Canberra Canberra is a beautiful young city originally planned by Walter Burley Griffin in 1911 when he won an international competition to plan a city.

On 12 March 1913, Canberra was officially named with the laying of the foundation stone on Capital Hill, now the site of Parliament House . The city of Canberra lies approximately 190 miles (300 kilometres) southeast of Sydney and readily linked by road, rail and air services. Winter can be cold, it does very rarely snow. Population: 309,500. On the lower slopes of Black Mountain, behind the Australian National University, the beautiful 50 hectare (123 acre) botanic gardens are devoted to Australian flora. There are educational walks, including one among plants used by Aborigines. A highlight is the rainforest area, achieved in this dry climate with a misting system, while the eucalypt lawn has 600 species of this ubiquitous Australian tree. Located in the south-western corner of New South Wales, the Snowy Mountains are the highest section of Australia's Great Dividing Range. Kosciusko National Park covers most of the mountains. It's NSW's largest park (6900 sq km/2690 sq mi), stretching from the Victorian border to the ACT.

It includes all of the state's ski resorts, rugged alpine scenery, caves, glacial lakes and forests. Although its renowned as a winter playground, the park is also popular with bushwalkers in summer, when there are marvellous alpine wildflowers. The ski resorts include Thredbo, Perisher Valley, Smiggins Hole and Mt Blue Cow. Mt Kosciusko is the highest peak at 2228m (7308ft). The main town in the region is Jindabyne, situated just outside the park boundary on the edge of a beautiful lake. Victoria ^ > < VIC - The Garden State Victoria lies in the southeast corner of Australia. The capital of Victoria is Melbourne. It has a population of 4.8 million of which 3.1 million live in Melbourne. It covers an area of 227,600 square kilometers (87876 square miles) which is about the same size as England, Wales and Scotland combined. Victoria however is approximately only 3% of Australia's total land mass but has 1/4 of the population. Victoria has 1,800 kilometer coastline which borders on Bass Strait, which separates the mainland from Tasmania.

About 35% of Victoria is covered by natural forest while mountainous regions are found in the north-east, where during the winter snow settles upon them. The highest peaks in these mountains are Mount Bogong (1986 meters/6515 feet) and Mount Feathertop (1922 meters/6305 feet). The daily temperatures range from 14 - 23 °C (57 - 73 °F) in the coastal area during the summer months and between 7 - 14 °C (44 - 73 °F) during the winter. none ^ > < Dandenongs The cool hills of the Dandenong Ranges offer a delightful world of Devonshire teas, antique shops, craft stores and historic houses. If you love nature you'll find heaven here - look out for famous gardens, nature walks through forests and fern gullies, bonsai and bulb farms, and tumbling waterfalls. The Dandenong Ranges are perfect for a nature walk. ^ > < Grampians National Park Dramatic and hauntingly beautiful, the massive sandstone ranges of the Grampians National Park are one of Victoria's most popular attractions.

There's an abundance of wildlife, including emus, kangaroos, echidnas, koalas, and several species of wallaby, as well as almost 200 species of birds. With around 160 kilometres of maintained walking tracks, the Grampians National Park is perfect for a scenic stroll or a challenging multi-day adventure. ^ > < Otway National Park Fern gullies, rainforest, woodland and heath - as well as spectacular coastline between Apollo Bay and Princetown - make this park a national treasure. Swamp wallabies and ring-tailed possums are common, as are king parrots, owls and the grey goshawk. The park offers camping, walking, fishing, canoeing and surfing. ^ > < Port Cambell National Park Here, the ocean foams against cliffs and dramatic rock sculptures, such as the Twelve Apostles rock pillars, the Grotto, the Blowhole, and London Bridge, which collapsed in 1990, stranding some surprised tourists on the far end. ^ > < Alpine National Park Ski on trails between gum trees, right to your ski lodge door.

The Victorian high country is famous for its downhill and cross-country skiing from June to October. World-class resorts operate from Falls Creek, Mt Hotham, Mt Buffalo, Mt Buller and Mt Stirling, all situated around or in the stunning Alpine National Park ^ > < Phillip Island As well as one of Australia's best known wildlife havens, Phillip Island also offers world-class interactive visitor centres, and even a Grand Prix Circuit hosting world championship motorcycle events. Phillip Island is home to the country's largest colony of Australian fur seals, numbering 12-18,000. ^ > < Wilsons Promontory National Park Victoria's most popular national park, Wilsons Promontory occupies a rugged peninsula jutting out into Bass Strait, featuring a magnificent coastline of steep cliffs and headlands plunging to white beaches and sheltered bays. Forested slopes, fern glades, sand dunes, and lakes make for perfect camping, walking, bird watching and swimming. South Australia ^ > < SA - The Festival State South Australia is classed as the state in south central Australia along the Indian Ocean. It covers an area of 984,377 square kilometres (380,070 square miles).

The capital of South Australia is Adelaide and its known as the City of Churches. South Australia became a British colony in 1836 and joined the Commonwealth of Australia in 1901. The state's population is 1.5 million and most of those reside in the fertile coastal areas and in the valley of the Murray River which is the only navigable river and drains about one seventh of Australia then enters the sea in South Australia. The first recorded sighting of the South Australian coast was in 1627 when a Dutch ship examined the coastline. The terrain consists largely of dry wasteland, with several low mountain ranges in which the most important mountains are the Mt Lofty-Flinders Ranges system which extends north about 800 kilometers from Cape Jervis to the northern end of Lake Torrens and salt lakes. Its principal industries and export are wheat, wine and wool. More than half the nations wines are produced here. South Australia has boundaries with other states on the west, east, north and the south is flanked by the Southern Ocean. South Australia's temperate range is 29°C (84°F) in January and 15°C (59°F) July.

Photo Tour | ^ > < Adelaide When the early colonists began building Adelaide they built with stone, constructing a solid, dignified city that is civilised and calm in a way that no other Australian state capital can match. The solidity goes further than architecture, for Adelaide was once regarded as a city of wowsers (read: puritan spoilsports) and was renowned chiefly for its disproportionately large number of churches. These days, the churches are outnumbered by pubs and nightclubs, and there is no denying that the city has a superb setting - the centre is surrounded by green parkland, and the metropolitan area is bound by the hills of the Mt Lofty Ranges and the waters of the Gulf St Vincent. Population: 1,085,000 Tourism SA ^ > < Kangaroo Island Kangaroo Island is a great place to visit! The third largest island off the coast of Australia, Kangaroo Island is one of the few places in the world where huge expanses of natural bushland still exist - and that means that wildlife populations have the opportunity to. A mere 40 minutes off mainland South Australia, Kangaroo Island is the one of the most unique, unspoilt wildernesses in Australia.

The Island is home to numerous species of wildlife; many of the animals are unique to Kangaroo Island and uncommon or even extinct on the mainland. National and Conservation Parks cover about one third of the Island, from which you can enjoy the sheltered beaches and rugged coastline of Kangaroo Island. Apart from its spectacular natural beauty, Kangaroo Island produces gourmet food and has a world-class reputation for great hospitality. The Island offers an endless list of recreational activities, including fishing, surfing, swimming and diving, bushwalking, climbing, sightseeing, boating and horse riding, all in natural environments with clean, fresh air. Northern Territory ^ > < NT - Outback Australia The Northern Territory covers about one sixth of the Australian continent with an area of 1.35 million square kilometers (521,237 square miles) including 6200 kilometers (3852 miles)of coast line. This is equal to the combined areas of France, Italy and Spain. The population is 197,600 people and they live mainly in the centers of Darwin, Katherine, Tennant Creek and Alice Springs, however despite its size, the Northern Territory represents less than two percent of Australia's population.

The northern quarter of the state is known as the "Top End" and has a distinct region of savannah wood-lands and pockets of rain-forests and the capital Darwin is situated here. The Arnhem Land plateau which is in the north-east, rises abruptly from the plain and continues to the coast of the Gulf of Carpentaria. In the central Australia, the Territory is crossed by the east-west ridges of the Macdonnell Ranges, with heights reaching more than 600 meters (1968 feet). The well known monolith, Uluru formally known as Ayers Rock, is 348 meters (1141 feet) high and is near the south-west corner of the Territory. Whereas much of the southern three quarters of the Territory consists of desert and semi arid plain. The Northern Territory has two main centers, Darwin and Alice Springs, and each of these have totally different climates.

Darwin's temperature remains almost constant throughout the year with the daily average maximum being 32°C (90°F) whereas Alice Springs experiences a desert summer with temperatures in the range of 36°C (97°F) during the day and in winter the nights range in the area of 2°C (36°F). The rainfall also varies between the center and in the north, monsoonal influences produce two definite seasons known as "the wet" ( October to April ) and "the dry" ( May to September ). During the wet season the coast is subject to tropical cyclones ( hurricanes or typhoon's ). Photo Tour | ^ > < Alice Springs The Alice (population 27,000) is a pleasant modern town, smack in the middle of Australia, built on the banks of the usually-dry Todd River. At first appearance it's so civilised that it can be a real disappointment to those expecting saloons on every corner and colourful bush characters, but stick around and explore the area and you'll begin to appreciate the flavour of this desert community.

The town was founded as a staging point for the overland telegraph line in 1870, although its growth has occurred only in the last 30 years. The road south to Adelaide was only fully sealed in 1987 To the west of Ayers Rock lies Mt Olga/Kata Tjuta, a collection of weathered red domes, the tallest of which stands 200 metres taller than Ayers Rock. Many people who come here are surprised by the beauty of the lesser known Olgas, many believing they hold greater charm than the Rock. Uluru, also known as Ayers Rock , is the world's biggest monolith. It is 9.4 km (5.8 mi ) if you walk around it, and about 345 metres (1131 feet) high if you climb it (and is thought to be the tip of a mountain which extends kilometres below the surface). It's 3.6km (2.2 mi) long, 2 km (1.2 mi) wide, and is roughly oval in shape.

It's made of arkosic sandstone, and is renowned for the way it changes colour in the light and is particularly spectacular at sunrise and sunset. Ayers Rock | The Olgas ^ > < The Outback People will tell you that the interior of Australia - that loooonnnngggg stretch of land between the southern tip of the mainland and Darwin at the Top End - is one of the most barren and abandoned pieces of real estate on God's green earth. And they're right - it is. Visit the underground mining town of Cooper Pedy (the name is Aboriginal for 'white fella's hole in the ground,' which pretty much sums it up) and fossick for opals, take a swim in the crystal clear waters of Mataranka Springs, have a few rest days in Alice Springs, then visit Uluru or camp in the vicinity of the stunning gorges in the McDonnell Ranges. If you're looking to get away from the hurly-burly of big city life there's no better place to do it than in the Central Deserts. Get a 4WD and head out into the empty wilderness, sleeping at night under the Southern Cross and the vast ocean of stars.

^ > < Darwin Darwin , the 'capital' of Northern Australia is closer to Jakarta than it is to Sydney, and closer to Singapore than it is to Melbourne, so it's no surprise that it looks outward to Asia as much as it looks inland to the rest of Australia. This proximity and familiarity with Australia's northern neighbours is reflected in the town's relaxed, cosmopolitan, tropical atmosphere. Kakadu is one of the world's special places. From the 'stone country' of the spectacular Arnhem plateau and escarpment to the verdant monsoon forests and wetlands, this place has a history and presence like nowhere else on earth. Kakadu National Park is one of the natural marvels of Australia. It encompasses a variety of superb landscapes, swarms with wildlife and has some of Australia's best Aboriginal rock art. The vast park is 153km (95mi) by road from Darwin, in the Northern Territory, and stretches more than 200km (125mi) north to south and 100km (60mi) east to west. It is on the World Heritage list both for its natural and cultural importance.

Part of the park is Aboriginal land and there are three contentious uranium mining leases operating in the east. Photo Tour | Maps ^ > < Cairns Cairns is the tourist 'capital' of the Far North and one of Australia's top travellers' destinations. Not long ago, it was just a sleepy tropical backwater. Unfortunately, much of its allure and tropical languor has vanished amid the rapid growth of tourist infrastructure, but it is still one of the best bases for exploring the riches of Queensland. From Cairns, you can arrange trips to the Great Barrier Reef , Green Island and Fitzroy Island , the beautiful Atherton Tableland, the market town of Kuranda, the string of enchanting beaches stretching 50km (30mi) north to Port Douglas, and the spectacular rainforest and coastal scenery of Cape Tribulation and the Daintree River. Maps | ^ > < Great Barrier Reef One of Australia's greatest assets is the magnificent reef which runs along virtually the entire coast of Queensland. Considered one of the world's natural wonders, it is the most extensive reef system and the biggest structure made by living organisms on earth.

In the north, the reef is virtually continuous and is located only 50km (30mi) from the shore. In the south, individual reefs are more common, and in some places up to 300km (190mi) offshore. Hundreds of islands dot the reef area. About 20 of them have resort facilities, but it's possible to camp on many others. Visitors Bureau | Marine parks Authority | Island Resorts | Whitsundays | Discovery Coast | Green Island | Fitzroy Island Daintree Reef and rainforest touch in this region of World Heritage protected beauty. The Daintree River winds gently through tangled woodland through jungle homes of unique birds, pythons and crocodiles, north to Cape Tribulation, a spectacular national park. none Townsville Vibrant Townsville, 1,359 kilometres north of Brisbane, packs heaps of experiences into one buzzing, sun-bathed city. Part of the 'dry tropics,' the city offers a lively nightlife and restaurants and the quieter pleasures of beaches, access to the Great Barrier Reef, islands and national parks.

Townsville is an ideal access point for the Great Barrier Reef, which stretches 230,000 square kilometres off the Queensland coast. Dive companies and cruises offer expeditions to the reef from Townsville and also from its northerly seaside neighbours. Noosa Noosa, crown jewel of the Sunshine Coast, is nestled between national park and blue sea. A surfer's delight, its restaurants in bush and sea view settings offer fresh, sophisticated cuisine, and its trendy village centre entices with boutiques and cafes. Brisbane Brisbane. Gold Coast The Gold Coast dares you to try everything it offers. Mingle with dolphins and polar bears at world-class theme parks, party on at nightclubs, dig your toes into fine white sand, ride sparkling waves, visit an island, and explore the lush, subtropical hinterland. The Gold Coast has 70 kilometres of coastline and 446 kilometres of canals and tidal rivers. Southport's Broadwater and South Moreton Bay make Australia's largest expanse of calm water, and you can swim and surf safely all year at 35 patrolled beaches.

none Pilbara The Pilbara is an ancient land where sheer gorges and steep chasms rise out from the desert, while the Dampier Archipelago is a paradise of sheltered bays and islands. Look out for whales and turtles, Aboriginal rock engravings, and mountains of iron ore. Gibson Desert The huge, arid Gibson Desert in Western Australia's vast interior is hard country. Water is scarce, but still there's life here. Kangaroos and tiny marsupials eke out a living, while snakes and lizards leave trails and footprints behind in the red sand that Australia is so famous for. Kimberely The wild and remote Kimberley is one of the world's last great wilderness areas, with vast horizons, ancient gorges, weird rock formations, welcoming rock pools and golden beaches that will create lasting memories. A place of immense beauty and diverse climates, the Kimberley is like nothing else on earth. Broome Broome simply oozes with colour. It's Western Australia's secret getaway - right on the doorstep of the Indian Ocean and the gateway to Australia's last frontier of pristine wilderness - the Kimberley.

Bass Strait - The Full Wiki The Full Wiki Note: Many of our articles have direct quotes from sources you can cite, within the Wikipedia article! This article doesn't yet, but we're working on it! See more info or our list of citable articles . Related top topics From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Map of Australia with Bass Strait marked in light blue Bass Strait (pronounced /ˈbæs/) is a sea strait separating Tasmania from the south of the Australian mainland, specifically the state of Victoria . Contents Extent The International Hydrographic Organization defines the limits of the Bass Strait as follows: [1] On the West. The Eastern limit of the Great Australian Bight [A line from Cape Otway , Australia , to King Island and thence to Cape Grim , the Northwest extreme of Tasmania ]. On the East.

The Western limit of the Tasman Sea between Gabo Island and Eddystone Point [A line from Gabo Island (near Cape Howe , 37°30'S) to the Northeast point of East Sister Island (148°E) thence along the 148th meridian to Flinders Island ; beyond this Island a line running to the Eastward of the Vansittart Shoals to [Cape] Barren Island , and from Cape Barren (the Easternmost point of [Cape] Barren Island) to Eddystone Point (41°S) in Tasmania]. Discovery and exploration The first European to discover Bass Strait was George Bass in 1797. Governor Hunter subsequently named the stretch of water between the mainland and Van Diemen's Land as "Bass's Strait", later to be known as Bass Strait.[citation needed] The existence of the strait had already been suggested by the master of the Sydney Cove when he reached Sydney having been wrecked on Preservation Island . He reported that the strong south westerly swell and the tides and currents suggested that the island was in a channel linking the Pacific and southern Indian Ocean.

The Governor of New South Wales, John Hunter thus wrote to Joseph Banks in August 1797 that it seemed certain the strait existed. [2] Conditions Approximately 240 km wide at its narrowest point and generally around 50 metres deep, it contains many islands, with King Island and Flinders Island home to substantial human settlements. Like the rest of the waters surrounding Tasmania, and particularly because of its limited depth, it is notoriously rough, with many ships lost there during the 19th century. A lighthouse was erected on Deal Island in 1848 to assist ships in the eastern part of the Straits, but there were no guides to the western entrance until the Wilsons Promontory Lighthouse was completed in 1859, followed by another at Cape Wickham at the northern end of King Island in 1861. Maritime history Strong currents between the Antarctic-driven southeast portions of the Indian Ocean and the Tasman Sea 's Pacific Ocean waters provide a strait of powerful, wild storm waves. To illustrate its wild strength, Bass Strait is both twice as wide and twice as rough as the English Channel .

The shipwrecks on the Tasmanian and Victorian coastlines number in the hundreds, although stronger metal ships and modern marine navigation have dropped the danger sharply. Many vessels, some quite large, have disappeared without trace, or left scant evidence of their passing. Despite myths and legends of piracy , wrecking and alleged supernatural phenomena akin to those of the Bermuda Triangle , such disappearances can be invariably ascribed to treacherous combinations of wind and sea conditions, and the numerous semi-submerged rocks and reefs within the Straits. [3] Despite the strait's difficult waters it provided a safer and less boisterous passage for ships on the route from Europe or India to Sydney in the early 19th century. The strait also saved 700 miles distance on the voyage. [2] Islands Map of Bass Strait including major island groups There are over 50 islands in Bass Strait. Major islands include: Western section: See also: Energy in Victoria A number of oil and gas fields exist in Bass Strait. The eastern field, known as the Gippsland Basin, was discovered in the 1960s and is located about 50 km off the coast of Gippsland .

The oil and gas is sent via a pipeline to gas processing facilities and oil refineries at Longford , Western Port , Altona and Geelong , as well as by tanker to New South Wales . The western field, known as the Otway Basin, was discovered in the 1990s offshore near Port Campbell . Its exploitation began in 2005. Infrastructure Burnie CBD and Port from Wilfred Campbell Memorial Reserve with Bass Strait behind. Transport Major infrastructure connections between Tasmania and Victoria. The fastest and cheapest method of travel across Bass Strait is by air . The main carriers are Qantas , JetStar , and Virgin Blue . Major airports include the Hobart International Airport and Launceston Airport ; the smaller airports are serviced by Regional Express which generally flies only to Melbourne and the Bass Strait islands. The domestic sea route is serviced by two Spirit of Tasmania passenger vehicle ferries , based in Devonport , Tasmania . The ships travel daily in opposite directions between Devonport and Station Pier in Melbourne , as overnight trips with additional daytime trips during the peak summer season. There have also been a number of suggestions for a railway line to be built between Victoria and Tasmania, though there are no plan currently to do this. See Transportation in Tasmania for more details.

Energy See also: Basslink The Basslink HVDC electrical cable has been in service since 2006. It has the capacity to carry up to 630 Megawatts of electrical power across the strait. Alinta owns a submarine gas pipeline , delivering natural gas to large industrial customers near George Town , as well as the Powerco gas network in Tasmania. Communications Amphitrite on 1936 stamp commemorating completion of cable The first submarine communications cable across Bass Strait was laid in 1859. Starting at Cape Otway , Victoria , it went via King Island and Three Hummock Island , made contact with the Tasmanian mainland at Stanley Head , and then continued on to George Town . However it started failing within a few weeks of completion, and by 1861 it failed completely. Tasmania is currently connected to the mainland via two Telstra -operated fibre optic cables; since 2006, dark fibre capacity has also been available on the Basslink HVDC cable. Other submarine cables include: See also Bass Strait Triangle The issue of planes, and ships and people being lost in the Strait over time has caused a number of theories about the reasons.

Perhaps the most thorough list of losses and disappearances has been the oft re-printed book of Jack Loney [5] however it is possible that most losses can be adequately explained by extreme weather events. [6] On the popular Australian soap Neighbours , one of its most dramatic storylines unfolded when a 1940s themed joy flight to Tasmania was sabotaged by a bomb. The plane crashed into Bass Strait in the middle of the night and many character's lives were put at risk, with some drowning. In 1978, one of the most famous UFO incidents in Australian history occurred over Bass Strait. Frederick Valentich was flying a small aeroplane over the strait when he reported to personnel at a local airport that a strange object was buzzing his plane. He then claimed that the object had moved directly in front of his plane; the airport personnel then heard a metallic "scraping" sound, followed by silence. Valentich and his plane subsequently vanished and neither Valentich nor his plane were ever seen again. Crossings Non-motorised crossings are regularly attempted across the strait.

Australian Olympic Bronze Medallist Michael Blackburn sailed a Laser Sailboat across the strait in October 2005 [7] This crossing is also made semi-regularly by experienced sea kayakers , usually by island hopping on the Eastern side of the strait. [8] [9] [10] . Kite boarders also do the crossing [11] References Interesting Facts About Tasmania - Fun Facts About Tasmania Fun and Interesting Facts about Tasmania Tasmania is named after Abel, Tasman, the Dutch explorer who was the first European to explore the Island in 17th century. The Island was named Van Diemen’s Land in honor of the governor of the Dutch East Indies at that time. Tasmania is the largest of Australia's islands and the 26th largest Island in the world. Tasmania is similar in size to the Republic of Ireland or Sri Lanka. The coastline of Tasmania is spread over more than 3,000 kms. Bass Strait separates Tasmania from the Australian mainland. Tasmania is named the 'Best Temperate Island in the World' twice, by the International travel magazine 'Conde Nast Traveler'.

While the west coast of Tasmania is one of the wettest places in the world, Hobart, the capital is the second-driest capital city in Australia. Some unique native conifers grow here, which include slow-growing Huon pines, with one specimen located on Mt Read, estimated to be up to 10,000 years old. Tasmania is home to many mammals that once roamed the continent of Australia. It is also the only place where a Tasmanian devil is visible, in the wild. The 'Theatre Royal' located in Hobart is Australia's oldest operational, live theatre. Tasmania has the deepest natural freshwater and deepest caves in the whole of Australia. The largest lavender farm in the world is located in Tasmania. Tasmania has 68 golf courses in total, which is more than any other state in Australia. Tasmania is situated closer to the equator than Rome or Chicago. The island state of Tasmania has the cleanest air in the world and its rainwater is so pure that it has even been shipped to the Australian athletes who have been competing in the Olympics. Tasmania contains the most complete ruins of a convict settlement, situated at Port Arthur.

The oldest brewery of Australia, the Cascade brewery is located at Tasmania (Hobart). The forests of Tasmania include some of the most unique species, which includes myrtle, black wood, sassafras, leatherwood, celery top pine, etc. Tasmania also boasts of a specific tree which is grown only there, known by the name, Huon pine tree which has a golden texture and smell and is one of the oldest plants on Earth. Tasmania has a cooler weather as compared to the rest of Australia and has the four distinct seasons, similar to that of the United States. As Tasmania is located in the Southern hemisphere, the seasons are just reverse to United States as they experience summer from December to February Autumn from March to May and winter from June to July and Spring until October. Tasmania is also known as 'Apple Isle'. Once the area was one of the most prominent apple growing areas in the world and still is one of the major apple producers. How to Cite

Question: What is the name of the strait that separates Tasmania from the south of the Australian mainland, specifically the state of Victoria?
Answer: BASS Strait