Map of Tasmania, Tasmania State Map Australia Places to Visit Sunrise at Cape Tourville, Sullivan’s Cove, Hike to Wineglass Bay, Explore Convict Relics, Hike Cradle Mountain, Feed a Devil, Bask in the Bay of Fires, Drive the Tamar Valley Wine Route, Cruise the Gordon River, Get Lost on Maria Island, Imagine a Thylacine, Louisa's Walk, Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary, Penitentiary Chapel, Mount Wellington, Battery Point, State Cinema, Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens, South Bruny National Park, Theatre Royal, Mona Museum and Art Gallery, Hartz Mountains National Park, Cascades Female Factory Historic Site, St. David's Cathedral, South Cape Bay Walk, Remarkable Cave, Tas Laser Skirmish, North Hobart, Mount Nelson Lookout, Shot Tower, Seven Mile Beach, Runnymede, Maritime Museum of Tasmania, Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery, Tasman Bridge, Salmon Ponds, South Hobart, Long Beach, Sandy Bay, Tasmanian Hockey Centre One of the six states of Australia, Tasmania is located southeast of the mainland separated by Bass Strait.

A sparsely populated region, Tasmania's geographical features include mountains, beaches, lakes, rugged terrain of glaciated plateau as well as plains. The state is rich in natural resources and contributes a great deal to the mainland in terms of the hydroelectric power produced in the state. Tasmania is named after Abel Janszoon Tasman, a navigator-explorer of Dutch East Indies, who set foot on its soil in 1642. Until 1856 the region was called Van Diemen's Land, in remembrance of Anthony van Diemen, a governor or the same company who had sent Tasman for this exploratory voyage. Tourist attractions of Tasmania Flights and communication channels connect Tasmania adequately to the mainland. The state has, thus, been able to overcome the disadvantage owing to its geographical positioning off the mainland. Tasmania is home to innumerous travel destinations.In Hobart, the capital of the state, Battery Point is an important spot for tourists. It's an old port with many attractive buildings like the Arthur Circus Cottages and St. George's Anglican Church. Van Diemer's Land Folk Museum, which was earlier known as Narryna, houses antique furniture of 19 th century.

This Georgian building is one of the many centers of cultural attraction in Tasmania. Nearby New Norfolk is a town of historic importance. A important hop-growing region of Australia, New Norfolk is home to The Oast House Hop Museum and many oast houses of yesteryears. Famous Salmon Ponds are situated twenty minutes away from New Norfolk in car. Another region of ecological importance in Tasmania is King Island. Once a breeding ground for sea elephants, King Island is now more famous for dairy farming. It houses Currie Museum, island watch towers of which the one at Wickham is the tallest, and marvelous beaches and lakes. With a depth of 200 meters, Lake St. Clair, Tasmania is the deepest freshwater waterbody of this country. It is part of Tasmanian Wilderness, a World Heritage Area. Lake St.Clair Tasmania lies at the southern tip of Cradle Mountain-Lake St. Clair National Park. Home to Franklin, Gordon and Olga Rivers, Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park offers a spectacular time for the tourists with tremendous opportunities for bush walking and water rafting.

Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery in Launceston and Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery in Hobart are the two centers of cultural importance in Tasmania. Port Arthur, on the other hand, maintains a heavy-hearted silence on its past, as it precipitates torments of the prisoners who inhabited the island, died and buried in Isle of Dead between 1830 and 1877. Last Updated On : September 07, 2016 Tasmania: The Part of Australia Everyone Forgets Tasmania: The Part of Australia Everyone Forgets 971 By Jenni Ryall Australia 2014-07-23 22:13:06 UTC SYDNEY — Poor Tasmania. It is the island that floats just off the bottom of mainland Australia, and no one can seem to remember it is there.

Tasmanians have copped a lot of slack over the years: A politician even had to issue a press release to help Australians remember the "forgotten state," and the state tourism organization ran a campaign drilling home the fact Tasmania is " a world apart, not a world away ." See also: Australia and Scotland Compete for Ugliest Uniform at Commonwealth Games Tassie, as it is known locally, is the 26th largest island in the world and is only separated from the mass of Australia by the Bass Strait. But it seems, as much as they try, Australia just won't let them join in the mainland party. Disassociation: Part 1 The first public snubbing came in 1982 during the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games in Brisbane. The crowd applauded as performers moved coloured cards to first present an Australian flag before merging them to form a map of Australia. Sans Tasmania. Tasmania stopped applauding. Disassociation: Part 2 As years passed, the resilient group started to rebuild after the humiliation of worldwide shame. Then 2008 hit hard. Baz Lurhmann's film Australia forgot to include Tasmania on a bunch of movie posters.

Instead of shying away from the drama like 16 years earlier, Tasmania Tourism showed those uneducated fools. It ran a campaign before the film with the declaration: "Tasmania: Bigger than Australia." Take that, Baz. Image: 20th Century Fox Disassociation: Part 3 Those Tasmanians were feeling pretty smug with their last play. Then in January 2012, just as they were sticking a fake Southern Cross tattoo on their cheek, they received the news. Tasmania had been left off the commemorative Australia Day Arnott's Shape biscuits. Ouch. Image: Arnott's Shapes Arnott's "Some might say that's the way the cookie crumbles but it would have been nice to see Tasmania receive the recognition it deserves on such an important day," acting Tasmania Premier Bryan Green told the Daily Telegraph at the time. Disassociation: Part 4 If Tasmania wasn't recognised by Australians, at least they had the Americans on their side. Right? As the world searched for missing flight MH370, Perth in Western Australia became a focal point of the investigation. Well, until Tassie tried to steal the limelight. Even America couldn't work out what was going on down there.

Image: Nick Scocco, Facebook Disassociation: Part 5 So after years of torture not just at home but across the globe, it could be assumed large organisations might stop and think about the country as a whole when promoting Australia. Then, it happened again. On the Australian swim team's uniform there is no island to be seen. Unless it has a kangaroo sitting on top of it. We're sorry, Tasmania. The Commonwealth Games hates you. Image: Chris Hyde, Getty Images Until next time, try and remember, Tasmanians have feelings too. The whole country.

About Tasmania - Discover Tasmania Discover Tasmania close search About Tasmania Enjoy exploring Tasmania with a selection of our best self-drive itineraries Self-drive itineraries Self-drive itineraries fascinating journey rich in convict history and natural beautyConvict Trail the North Coast’s patchwork agricultural hinterland to Cradle Mountain on the edge of Tasmania's World Heritage WildernessCradle Country dramatic coastal drive that takes in Maria Island, Freycinet National Park and the beaches of the Bay of FiresGreat Eastern Drive of Australia’s most dramatic and beautiful coastal drives with spectacular national parks, abundant wildlife and maritime experiencesNorth West Coast place of diverse beauty with spectacular natural features, history and heritageGreat Western Tiers charming Georgian villages, historic pastoral properties and enjoy the history of the place and its peopleHeritage Highway variety of landscapes, from the waters of the tranquil Huon River to the magnificent forests of the Hartz MountainsHuon Trail Vineyards and rich farming areas contrasted with forests and stretches of beautiful unspoilt beachesNorth East Trail scenic journey past tranquil rivers, rolling hills and valleys to rugged mountain wilderness and giant forestsDerwent Valley and Beyond the majestic Tamar River from Launceston to Bass Strait as it meanders through the heart of vineyard country, past orchards, scenic pastures and

 forestsTamar Valley from Cradle Mountain, explore World Heritage Wilderness and Tasmania's mining and convict pastWest Coast Wilderness the best of all our touring routes in a touring holiday you'll never forgetCoast to Coast Tasmania History | About Australia Facts Tasmania History Twelve thousand years ago sea level was rising as the most recent period of global glaciation eased.

The land mass now known as Tasmania was cut off and the Aboriginal people living here were isolated. They shared many traits with Australian mainland Aboriginal people but also developed physically and culturally into a distinctive population. The Tasmanians were hunters and gatherers. They made tools and containers from wood, bone, stone, seaweed, bark, grass and sinew. They managed their environment carefully, moving around their country to harvest seasonal food resources and using fire to maintain grasslands which supported an abundance of wallabies and kangaroos. Coastal people relied on the sea for much of their diet. Scale fish were eaten in the distant past but apparently not since about 3,500 years ago, however the women collected abalone, oysters, mussels and other shellfish. The remains of these make up enormous middens all around Tasmania’s coastline. The Tasmanians made bark canoes to travel to offshore islands to harvest muttonbirds and seals during summer and autumn. The people camped in family groups several of which formed a band, the land-holding group in Tasmanian society. Several bands spoke the same language and there were nine language groups / tribes in Tasmania at the time of European contact.

Bands with reciprocal arrangements intermarried and shared resources. By the time of European contact, the Aboriginal people in Tasmania had nine major ethnic groups. At the time of British settlement in 1803, the indigenous population was estimated at between 5,000 and 10,000 people. Through the introduction of infectious diseases to which they had no immunity, war, persecution, and intermarriage, the population dwindled to 300 by 1833. Almost all of the indigenous population was relocated to Flinders Island by George Augustus Robinson. A woman named Truganini (1812–76) is generally recognised as the last full-blooded Tasmanian Aborigine. Tasmania | history - geography - island and state, Australia | Britannica.com island and state, Australia Alternative Title: Van Diemen’s Land Tasmania Seats in federal House of Representatives 5 (of 150) Australian Eastern Standard Time (GMT + 10) 1Mainland and island areas only; excludes coastal water. Tasmania, formerly Van Diemen’s Land, island state of Australia .

It lies about 150 miles (240 km) south of the state of Victoria , from which it is separated by the relatively shallow Bass Strait . Structurally, Tasmania constitutes a southern extension of the Great Dividing Range . The state comprises a main island called Tasmania; Bruny Island , nestling close to the southeastern coast of the main island; King and Flinders islands in Bass Strait; numerous smaller islands off the coast of the main island; and subantarctic Macquarie Island , about 900 miles (1,450 km) to the southeast. The main island is roughly heart-shaped, with a maximum length and width of about 200 miles (320 km), and its latitude and climate are broadly comparable to those of northern California and northwestern Spain. With an area slightly larger than that of Sri Lanka , Tasmania is the smallest of Australia’s states. Hobart is the state capital. Tasmania, Australia. Macquarie Island, Tasmania, Australia. M. Murphy The state owes its name to the Dutch navigator-explorer Abel Janszoon Tasman , who in 1642 became the first European to discover the island.

Until 1856, however, the island was known as Van Diemen’s Land , named for Anthony van Diemen , the governor of the Dutch East Indies who had sent Tasman on his voyage of exploration. The island of Tasmania contains some of the most spectacular mountain, lake, and coastal scenery in the country, and much of its land is protected in national parks and reserves. The state also produces a major portion of Australia’s hydroelectric power and possesses a great diversity of natural resources. Nevertheless, Tasmania has remained among the poorest of Australia’s states, with a steadily decreasing share of the country’s population. Although insularity renders much of its political, economic, and social life distinctive, proximity to Melbourne and air travel make Tasmania less isolated and more cosmopolitan than is often assumed in other Australian states. Area 26,410 square miles (68,401 square km). Population (2011) 495,354. Dove Lake in Cradle Mountain–Lake St. Clair National Park, part of a UNESCO World Heritage … Australian Scenics Storm Bay Most Tasmanian soils are leached, acidic, poorly drained, high in humus, and low in fertility.

Least fertile and most extensive are the soils of the west and northeast, especially the moor peats. Fertile areas occur extensively in the northwest and locally elsewhere, notably in the northeast and southeast. Brown earths occupy the drier areas east of the Central Plateau; black earths, the southeast; and alluvial soils, the narrow valley floors to the east. Other fertile soils are those of former swamps in the far northwest and the Bass Strait islands. Climate Tasmania, located in the midlatitude westerly wind belt and dominated by southern maritime air masses, generally enjoys a moist, equable climate, with mild to warm summers, mild winters in most settled areas, and rain during all seasons. However, the southwest has much rugged weather, and the southeast can suffer drought. Collision between tropical air masses—in summer from the continent and in spring and autumn from the eastern Tasmanian coast—and the mountainous surface results in greater climatic variety than in other parts of Australia. Annual precipitation, seasonal moisture deficiencies, and temperatures range widely and irregularly across the state.

Average annual precipitation exceeds 100 inches (2,500 mm) on the western ranges and declines eastward to less than 20 inches (510 mm) in some places; along the north coast it exceeds 30 inches (760 mm) in all locations. The seasonal incidence in the north and west is greatest in winter, and in the south and east it is greatest in spring. Summer rainfall may vary markedly from year to year, especially in the drier east. Mean January temperatures are higher in the north and east than elsewhere, reaching 64 °F (18 °C) at Launceston ; mean July temperatures are 46 to 49 °F (8 tο 9 °C) in all coastal stations, declining sharply with elevation. Plant and animal life In general, the wettest areas have temperate rainforests, largely of beech or myrtle; areas having 30 to 60 inches (760 to 1,520 mm) of precipitation annually support good-quality eucalypt forests, and the drier areas carry poor-quality eucalypt forests or savanna woodland.

In certain areas, particularly in the forests of the south and southwest, an almost impenetrable thicket known as horizontal scrub develops. This is caused by the growth of a remarkable small tree called the horizontal (Anodopetalum biglandulosum). The slender trunk of the tree falls over under its own weight, and from it branches arise that behave in the same way. On the mountain plateaus are found many plants having subantarctic affinities . These include Tasmania’s only deciduous tree or shrub, the myrtle beech, and certain cushion plants. Rainforests would be more widespread in the absence of fires, most of which are caused by natural forces. There are softwood plantations in the Fingal and Scottsdale areas and inland from the northwest coast. Other vegetation zones include the sedge land along the west coast, the high moorlands, and the coastal heaths of the far northwest, the far northeast, and the Bass Strait islands. Rainforest vegetation in the Tasmanian Wilderness, Tasmania, Australia. Yen Teoh—iStock/Thinkstock Animal life is virtually absent from the true rainforests but abounds in the extensive eucalypt forests.

Birds include honey eaters, black jays, masked plovers, black magpies, black cockatoos, and various parrots. Among the mammals are wallabies, brushtail and ringtail possums, and marsupial carnivores—the various “ native cats ,” including the spotted-tailed and eastern quoll, and the Tasmanian devil . The thylacine (Tasmanian tiger) became extinct in the 1930s. The sedge land and moorlands are distinctive for wombats, and the coastal heaths for green rosellas, platypuses, and short-nosed echidnas. People Population composition Within Australia, the population of Tasmania has a distinctive composition both by birthplace and by ethnic heritage. Of all the states, Tasmania has the highest proportion born in Australia—nearly nine-tenths of the population—and the lowest proportion born elsewhere in the world. The majority of the residents are of British descent. However, non-British immigration has increased since the late 20th century, though it is not as pronounced as in other states. The ethnic origins of the population are reflected in religious affiliations.

Compared with Australia as a whole, Tasmania has long had a greater proportion of Anglicans and a smaller proportion of Roman Catholics, although the latter community grew somewhat after World War II . Among the smaller religious groups to have had long-term strength in Tasmania are the Society of Friends (Quakers), Dutch Calvinists, Brethren, and various other autonomous groups. In tandem with trends in the rest of the country, however, the number of Tasmanians adhering to no specific religion has continued to rise, and the strength of traditional churches has continued to decline. Settlement patterns The inhospitable terrain of much of Tasmania naturally has had much influence on settlement patterns. The nomadic original Tasmanians have left a few archaeological traces, including geometric designs on exposed rock surfaces and evidence of cremations and corroborees, or ceremonial gatherings. European settlers have left their imprint largely through economic activity—in the mining settlements of the west, in the intensive cropping or dairying of the northern coastal belt and the southeast lowlands, and in the dryland sheep farming of most of the eastern sector.

The uninhabited southwestern part of the island, one of the three great temperate wilderness areas remaining in the Southern Hemisphere, collectively was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1982. Historically, the pattern of rural settlement has differed by region, with contrasts stemming from farm size and the length of settlement. In general, the older settled areas, including the midlands between Launceston and Hobart, the central north, the east coast, and the southeast, had larger properties, dispersed homesteads, buildings often built of stone or brick, some Georgian architecture , and nucleated villages laid out on a grid. Areas with more precipitation that have been settled since 1850, chiefly the northwest, the northeast, and the Huon River valley region, generally had small farms, buildings mostly of weatherboard, and houses and villages mainly aligned narrowly along roads. Villages in all areas typically had a post office and store, as well as a primary school, public hall, church, service station, and transport services. Although the state has remained somewhat less urbanized than its mainland counterparts, Tasmania’s cities and metropolitan areas have been growing rapidly, exhibiting a dispersed pattern of peripheral growth in three major urban regions.

The state capital, Hobart , at the foot of Mount Wellington on the Derwent estuary, is a major port and the leading industrial centre. It is also the metropolitan focus for the southeast, the upper Derwent, the Central Plateau, the midlands south of Oatlands, and the east coast south of Swansea. Launceston , at the head of the Tamar River valley, is a secondary administrative centre and the hub of the state’s transport network; it is also the home of several important engineering industries. Its sphere of influence extends westward to Deloraine and incorporates the entire north and northeast. The third region centres on both Burnie and Devonport and includes the northwest and the west coast ( Queenstown and Rosebery area). Regional pride has always been an extremely potent force in Tasmanian life and politics. River Tamar, northern Tasmania, Australia. Kyle Demographic trends Tasmania has long maintained a higher birth rate than most other states. Birth rates have generally been lower in the cities than in the smaller towns and rural areas. Death rates have remained fairly constant. Infant mortality rates in Tasmania are roughly comparable to the Australian average.

After World War II Tasmania experienced in-migration from other states and overseas, but since about 1960 the out-migration resumed to the mainland, consisting primarily of young people entering the workforce. This has been accompanied by a pronounced internal rural-to-urban migration, largely because of the increasing scale of farming and the mechanization of agriculture. Tasmania thus differs from the mainland in having the smallest proportion of population in the labour force and the lowest growth rate of any state. A drop in birth rate in the late 20th century indeed brought Tasmania’s population growth to a halt by 2000, though the number of births increased slightly in the early 21st century. Because more than two-fifths of the island—comprising areas in the west and the south—is too rugged and too wet for agriculture, the population is largely confined to the northern and the southeastern regions, which are connected to an isolated cluster of settlements on the west coast by the sparsely settled midlands. Hobart and the surrounding area has nearly two-fifths of the state’s population, while most of the remainder of Tasmania’s residents are distributed more or less equally between the greater Launceston and Burnie-Devonport areas.

No other Australian state has had a population so evenly distributed between the capital city, other urban centres, and rural areas; the nearest equivalent has been Queensland . However, increased urbanization after 1950 modified this pattern. Queenstown, Tasmania, Australia. B. Brander/Photo Researchers Economy Tasmania possesses mineral, forest, water, and tourist resources. It has a diversity of economic activity and fairly stable labour relations. Its economy, however, suffers markedly from the small scale of much of its resource base, from restricted local markets, and from problems of transport to external markets. Various official agencies have sought to foster manufacturing growth by providing financial and other assistance. The state government also is active in promoting tourism and trade. From the 1970s the number of jobs in the primary (agriculture, forestry, fishing, mining) and secondary (manufacturing and processing) sectors has steadily declined, with the tertiary (services) sector emerging as the state’s dominant employer. Agriculture, forestry, and fishing Agriculture, forestry, and fishing rank small in terms of their total contribution to the state economy and employ a comparably small proportion of the workforce. The sector, however, is a significant producer of export commodities.

Although the state’s cool temperate climate favours agriculture, the mountainous terrain and generally poor soils largely confine arable farming to the southeast, north, and northwest. Roughly one-fourth of Tasmania’s area is agricultural land, almost all of which is used for grazing; nevertheless, crops contribute almost half of the total value of agricultural production. Since the late 20th century, there has been a trend to reduce the number of farms and land under cultivation, owing in part to an increase in land used for timber plantations; more striking has been the reduction of employment in the agricultural sector. Meanwhile, productivity has greatly increased, largely as a result of improved water management and technical and entrepreneurial skills. Seasonal irrigation, mainly spray for crops and some pasture, is used on many farms. Beef production, dairy farming, and the raising of sheep (for wool and meat) form the largest component of the state’s agricultural activity. Sheep raising is important in the eastern third of the state (north of Hobart), where larger farms prevail. Cattle raising is prominent in the north and northwest.

Wheat and barley are the major grains and are used primarily for stock feed; oil poppies, used for pharmaceutical purposes, also are a significant broad-acre crop. Production of vegetables—especially potatoes, onions, carrots, and legumes—is concentrated in the north and northwest. Fruit production is strongest farther to the south, with apples retaining some of their traditional salience. Berries and stone fruits (cherries, apricots, plums, peaches, and nectarines) are also notable. Since the 1980s, viticulture has emerged as a major activity. Lavender, peppermint, and boronia are important for their essential oils. Forestry and the processing associated with it have long figured significantly in Tasmania’s economy. The western forests contain excellent hardwoods and pulpwoods, while the drier, poor-quality eastern forests yield wood for chips. Although timber production from hardwoods declined in the 1970s and ’80s, the industry had regained strength by the early 21st century to account for nearly one-fifth of the country’s total annual hardwood yield.

The production of softwood timber has also greatly expanded, as has wood-chip production, with Tasmania providing a substantial proportion of the country’s export of the commodity. Fishing also has increased significantly since the early 1990s, with most of the catch being shipped to the mainland and to overseas markets. Abalone and rock lobster are the primary products of open-water fisheries, while salmon is the focus of a rapidly expanding aquaculture industry. In addition, Tasmanian fisheries produce other shellfish (including crab) and various finfish, such as wrasse and needlefish. Resources and power Mineral production fluctuates with market conditions. Demand for zinc , lead, silver, and gold has been fairly steady, but markets for other metals have proved to be less stable. Around the turn of the 21st century, however, the overall mineral-production industry strengthened, reaffirming its importance to Tasmania’s economy. Major deposits include iron ore at Savage River; lead, zinc, and silver at Williamsford and Rosebery; copper at Mount Lyell near Queenstown; gold at Beaconsfield , Henty, and Mount Lyell; and tin at Renison Bell .

Other products of mining include silica flour, extracted at Corinna; kaolin, mined at various locations; and limestone , drawn primarily from a large reserve at Railton. Coal from the Fingal Rivulet valley is used, though on a small scale, in manufacturing industries. Tasmania has been notably active in renewable energy production, with these sources constituting up to nine-tenths of its total power supply. Hydroelectric generators supply the bulk of the state’s energy needs; power stations are located in the River Derwent valley and elsewhere in central and western Tasmania, where precipitation is heavy but well-distributed and the terrain is rugged. Wind farms have operated intermittently in the state since 2002, and there has been growing interest in establishing wind power as a major source of energy. Significant investment has also been made since 2000 to pipe natural gas from the Australian mainland to provide a supplemental source of energy; the state was also linked to the national electricity grid. Manufacturing Although the contribution of manufacturing to the state economy has declined from previous times, it still is a significant share. Production and processing of minerals and metals furnishes nearly half of the total value of Tasmania’s exports.

Another one-third of export value is split about equally between food products (especially meat and dairy), including beverages, and wood and paper products. Tasmania’s few large industries include an electrolytic refinery, which treats zinc concentrates; aluminum, ferromanganese, and silicomanganese plants; and a cement plant. There are also mills that produce pulp, paper, and wood chips. Other important industries include meat, dairy, and seafood processing; manufacture of aluminum catamarans and of machinery; vegetable processing; and chocolate production. Although the construction industry has tended to fluctuate with economic conditions, it has remained a significant component of the Tasmanian economy, typically employing nearly as high a proportion of the state’s workforce as agriculture, forestry, and fishing. Beyond construction, the manufacturing sector supplies about another 10 percent of Tasmania’s jobs. Services The service sector has grown slowly but steadily in the early 21st century to contribute the major share of the state’s economy and to provide nearly three-fourths of its employment. Trade—both wholesale and retail—constitutes the largest of the service activities, employing roughly one-fifth of the Tasmanian workforce; health services employs about another one-tenth.

Tourism, including hotels, restaurants, and cultural and recreational services, also accounts for about one-tenth of Tasmanian employment. With the state’s natural environment as its primary attraction, the sector has undergone rapid expansion since the end of the 20th century. The overwhelming majority of visitors are from elsewhere in Australia, especially the states of Victoria and New South Wales; most overseas tourists come from the United Kingdom or the United States . Transportation and telecommunications Given its island setting and dispersed development, transportation is especially important to Tasmania. The settled areas have an extensive network of good-quality roads. In 1975 control of the state’s railways was transferred to the federal government, and in 1978 regular passenger services ceased. By the early 21st century, rail transport had largely become a private enterprise, offering primarily freight service. The state government operates a passenger ferry service on Bass Strait between Devonport and Melbourne. Ferries and passenger ships also operate between Tasmania and Bruny, Maria, and Flinders islands. Most interstate travel is by air. Of Tasmania’s airports, only the one at Hobart is equipped to handle international flights. Hobart also is the state hub for domestic traffic.

Launceston accommodates less passenger travel but moves most of the freight. Regular air services also operate from Devonport, Wynyard , King Island, and Flinders Island. Of the four major deepwater seaports, Launceston is the busiest, handling about one-third of Tasmania’s trade. The ports at Hobart, Burnie, and Devonport share the bulk of the remainder; port administration is decentralized. Minor seaports include Port Latta, King Island, and Flinders Island. Page 1 of 2 The Australian continent | australia.gov.au The Australian continent Australia's land mass Australia comprises a land area of about 7.692 million square kilometres. Although this is just five per cent of the world's land mass (149.45 million square kilometres), Australia is the planet's sixth largest country after Russia, Canada, China, the United States of America and Brazil. It is also the only one of the largest six nations that is completely surrounded by water. Australia's land mass is: almost as great as that of the United States of America about 50 per cent greater than Europe, and 32 times greater than the United Kingdom.

Geographical and climatic features Australia is the smallest of the world's continents. It is also the lowest, the flattest and (apart from Antarctica) the driest. The highest point on the Australian mainland is Mount Kosciuszko, New South Wales, at 2228 metres above sea level. The lowest point is the dry bed of Lake Eyre, South Australia, which is 15 metres below sea level. The mainland and Tasmania are surrounded by many thousands of small islands and numerous larger ones. Nearly 40 per cent of the total coastline length comprises island coastlines. As an island nation, coastlines play an important role in defining national, state and territory boundaries. Nearly 20 per cent of Australia's land mass is classified as desert. As well as having a low average annual rainfall, rainfall across Australia is also variable. The rainfall pattern is concentric around the extensive arid core of the continent, with rainfall intensity high in the tropics and some coastal areas. Climatic zones range from tropical rainforests, deserts and cool temperature forests to snow covered mountains.

Within this climate, our plants and animals have evolved on a geographically isolated continent, through a time of a slowly drying climate, combined with continuing high variability. The uniqueness of much of Australia's flora and fauna is thus at least partly due to these features of our climate. Did you find the information you were looking for? Tasmania Encyclopedia > Places > Australia and Oceania > Australian and New Zealand Political Geography Tasmania Tasmania (tăzmāˈnēə) [ key ], 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 , King Island, and Macquarie Island. The Indian Ocean is to the west and the Pacific Ocean to the east. Hobart is the state capital. The only other city with a population of more than 50,000 is Launceston .

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. The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2012, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved. Australia country profile - BBC News BBC News Read more about sharing.

Close share panel Australia ranks as one of the best countries to live in the world by international comparisons of wealth, education, health and quality of life. The sixth-largest country by land mass, its population is comparatively small with most people living around the eastern and south-eastern coastlines. The country's first inhabitants, the Aboriginal people, are believed to have migrated from Asia tens of thousands of years before the arrival of British settlers in 1788. They now make up less than 3% of Australia's 23 million people. Years of mass immigration after the Second World War heralded sweeping demographic changes, making modern Australia one of the world's most multicultural countries. But migration continues to be a sensitive issue politically. In shaping its foreign and economic policy, Australia first looked to Europe and the US but in the last 20 years has developed stronger ties with Asia. It has acted as peacekeeper in the region sending missions to Solomon Islands, East Timor and Papua New Guinea. Although Australia remains part of the Commonwealth, the future role of the monarchy has been a recurring issue in politics. An aging population, pressure on infrastructure and environmental concerns such as climate change are some of the long-term challenges facing the country.

Read more country profiles - Profiles by BBC Monitoring FACTS Head of state: Queen Elizabeth II, represented by a governor-general Prime Minister: Malcolm Turnbull Image copyright Getty Images A veteran politician in the conservative Liberal Party, Mr Turnbull ousted fellow Liberal Tony Abbott from the premiership through a party leadership challenge in September 2015, following a pattern that has seen Australia change leaders four times in two years. Coming from the socially liberal wing of the party, he backs same-sex marriage and measures to counter climate change, and led the unsuccessful campaign for a republic in the 1999 referendum. MEDIA Image copyright Getty Images Image caption Australia has a lively media scene and is considered to have a relatively free press Australia's media scene is creatively, technologically and economically advanced. There is a traditoin of public broadcasting but privately-owned TV and radio enjoy the lion's share of viewing and listening. Ownership of print and broadcast media is highly concentrated, with two companies - The Murdoch-owned News Corp and Fairfax Media accounting for some 85 per cent of newspaper sales. Around 19.5 million Australians are online. TIMELINE Some key dates in Australia's history: 40,000 BC - The first Aborigines arrive from southeast Asia.

By 20,000 BC they have spread throughout the mainland and Tasmania. 1770 - Captain James Cook charts the east coast in his ship HM Endeavour and claims it as a British possession, naming it "New South Wales". 1901 - The Commonwealth of Australia comes into being. 1914 - Australia commits hundreds of thousands of troops to the British war effort during World War 1. Their participation in the Gallipoli campaign leads to heavy casualties. Image copyright Getty Images Image caption "White Australia" policies restricted non-white immigration in the first half of the 20th century 1948 - Australia launches a scheme for mass immigration from Europe. 2002 - In Bali, 88 Australians are among 202 people killed when bombs go off in two nightclubs. 2008 - Government makes a formal apology for past wrongs committed against the indigenous Aboriginal population. 2015 - Malcolm Turnbull defeats Tony Abbott to become the 29th prime minister of Australia. Tasmania travel guide - Wikitravel National Parks[ edit ] Tasmania has some of the most beautiful and diverse scenery not just in Australia but also the world.

Over 45 percent of Tasmania is protected in national parks so you can't make a visit here without checking at least a couple of national parks out. There's a park for every season and for every person. Discover spectacular landscapes from highlands carved by glaciers, to quiet solitary beaches, from cool and silent rainforests, to colourful alpine wilderness wildflowers. Tasmania's 19 national parks encompass a diversity of unspoiled habitats and ecosystems which offer refuge to unique, and often ancient, plants and animals found nowhere else on Earth. Cradle Mountain in Tasmania, a World Heritage site By ferry[ edit ] Crossing the Tasman Sea by cruise ship Tasmania is served by two Spirit of Tasmania Ferries from mainland Australia. They depart daily from Station Pier in Port Melbourne (a bayside suburb of Melbourne) and arrive at Devonport taking the full night (or the full day during peak summer periods) for the crossing. The crossing can be a little rocky at times, but provides beautiful views. You have the option of booking one of a range of a cabins or a reclining chair for the journey. The large ferries take vehicles, bikes, foot passengers and pets. See the Devonport article for the details of the ferry.

Crossings are also part of Cruise ship itineraries. Rental car companies usually have restrictions on taking vehicles into or out of Tasmania on the ferry. If you have hired a car on the mainland and need a car to hire in Tasmania, it's best to drop the car off in Melbourne CBD (there is no hire car dropoff at Station Pier), then take the 109 tram out to Station Pier (the terminus is across the road from the ferry terminal); car hire is available at the Devonport terminal. By car[ edit ] Getting around Tasmania by car is by far the most convenient way to see what the state has to offer. Cars can be brought into Tasmania from the mainland on the Spirit of Tasmania ferry (see above), or hired upon arrival by the major operators such as Redspot , Hertz and Avis . With the exception of Highway 1 between Devonport , Launceston and Hobart , travel times by car will be much longer than you think. The state limit is 110km/h, though achieving that speed on some of the coastal or inland highways is not often possible, and the speed limit of some of those roads may only be up to 90km/h anyway.

Many major roads wind their way through mountain passes and along coastlines, with few overtaking lanes, and some major sections of more remote road may be in need of minor repair. Seek local advice if timing is critical, or just allow more time. What appears the most direct road can add hours to your journey time. Again, seek local advice on the quickest route if timing is critical. Also be aware that on some of the winding roads, or on B roads, some locals (who are used to driving those roads) may try to overtake on inappropriate stretches of road or start to tailgate you if you aren't travelling at the speed limit. If you are concerned or feel uncomfortable, it is usually best to pull over where safe and allow them to pass. Tasmania uses an alphanumeric system for road references, and all roads are generally well marked with references and destinations. Attractions are generally well signposted from the nearest main road. As a result, it is quite possible to navigate most of Tasmania using only a rudimentary map. Exploring the forests can often lead to a maze of forest roads.

A GPS can come in handy for finding your way out, but beware GPS maps are not always up to date and following them blindly can add unnecessary time to travel. Some indicative travel times, not including any rest periods: Hobart to Launceston: 2h20m (199km) Hobart to Devonport: 3h30m (279km) Hobart to Cockle Creek: 2h10m (117km) Hobart to Stanley: 4h30m (402km) Hobart to Queenstown: 3h40m (259km) By bus[ edit ] If you have plenty of time in Tasmania, buses can be an option, but you would be advised to study timetable carefully and to do an extra bit of planning, as services can be infrequent. Two major companies which provide services around the state are: The main population centres are serviced by local bus networks provided by: Metro Tasmania provides intra-city bus services for Burnie, Hobart and Launceston. Merseylink provides services to Devonport and Latrobe.

By train[ edit ] There are no public passenger trains in Tasmania, the rail network is solely for for freight and industry. The West Coast Wilderness Railway [1] is a tourist train which runs between Strahan and Queenstown on the West Coast. The trip takes about 3 hours with lunch included. By plane[ edit ] Par Avion offer scenic flights across the state and services into Melaleuca in the Southwest National Park. Wildlife[ edit ] Anyone who spends a little time in the Tasmanian bush country is likely to see such animals as the following: Kangaroos, wallabies and pademelons ("small marsupials"), ringtail and brushtail possums and wombats (short-legged, stubby-tailed marsupials).

Though the odds of a sighting are less than with the animals listed above, you might also catch sight of any of the following: A duck-billed platypus, a spiny anteater, a Tasmanian Devil, a bandicoot or potoroo (small, jumping marsupials) or a carnivorous marsupial called a "quoll." If you spend any time in the bush you are very likely to see: Kangaroos, Wallabies, and Pademelons are everywhere throughoutTasmania. Wombats can be found in many national parks. Be quiet while walking to increase your chances. Ringtail and Bushtail Possums only come out at night. If you stay the night in a national park you will be sure to encounter one. Less common wildlife include: Landmarks[ edit ] Three of the most popular of Tasmania's landmarks are: Bay of Fires: The blue waters, red rocks, and white-sand beaches along the Bay of Fires has made it a popular retreat area for camping, boating, fishing, swimming, surfing and bird watching. Even just walking along its scenic coast is a major tourist draw.

Cataract Gorge: "The Gorge" is a mere two-minute drive, or 15-minute walk, from downtown Launceston. You can follow a foot path down the cliff-side and into this unique, natural formation to enjoy its beauty. You will also find restaurants, swimming pools and a beach. Hastings Caves: This site has a number of caves you can explore, including the biggest dolemite tourist cave in all Australia — Newdegate Cave. You will see flowstones, stalactites, stalagmites, columnar formations and unusual "helictites," which have tiny filaments of calcite growing in every direction. You can also relax in an on-site thermal pool. Cradle Mountain Freycinet Peninsula and Wineglass Bay Gordon River Mole Creek Karst Australia's only national park featuring caves. Among many features are the King Solomon and Marakoopa Caves, both of which can be viewed with Tasmania Park Service guides leading you. Both caves are distinctly different and a separate entry ticket is required for each. Tour times are staggered throughout the day. Port Arthur [2] is the best preserved convict site in Australia.

Many years ago, this site was a key role in the colonial system of convict discipline. During your experience, you will have the chance to take guided tours of the Commandant's House, Parsonage, Trentham Cottage, Junior Medical Officer's quarters, historic buildings and ruins of the Penitentiary, Barracks, Guard Tower and military precinct, Hospital, Paupers' Depot and Asylum. Port Arthur is surrounded by beautiful bushland and trails available to explore the land around you. Salamanca Place in Sullivans Cove, is Hobart's favourite hang out. Salamanca is lined with a long row of sandstone buildings built in the 1830s. You can wander under the heavy stone arches to find craft and design shops, jewellers, coffee shops, restaurants, bookshops, fashion boutiques, and the Salamanca Arts Centre and artists’ galleries. Every Saturday there’s the Salamanca Market, where you can buy anything from a handmade wooden toy or a hand-spun, hand-knitted sweater to fresh fruit and vegetables or a 50-year-old china plate. The Nut is located at the historic village of Stanley, in far north-west Tasmania.

The Nut, a sheer-sided bluff is all that remains of an ancient volcanic plug. A walking track climbs to the summit of The Nut, or you can take the chairlift, with spectacular views across Bass Strait beaches and over the town. There is accommodation and an excellent campground in Stanley, and the town is a good base for exploring the forests and coastlines further west. Tahune Forest Airwalk State/National Parks[ edit ] Some of the most popular parks in Tasmania are: Mole Creek Karst: A national park in Tasmania, at Mole Creek Karst you will find two tour-able caves: King Solomon and Marakoopa Caves. Port Arthur: In the midst of beautiful bushland traversed with foot trails, you will find the best-preserved convict site in all Australia. You can take a guided tour of the Commandant's House, Parsonage, Penitentiary, Barracks, Guard Tower, Hospital and Paupers' Depot and Asylum. The Nut: "The Nut" is a sheer-sided bluff, near the village of Stanley, that is the only remains of an ancient volcano. You can climb walking trails to the summit or get there the easy way — using the chairlift.

At the top, you can look out over Bass Strait, its sandy beaches and the town of Stanley. Some of the most popular man-made attractions include: Salamanca Market: This is a street market in Hobart held every Saturday at Salamanca Place. It is overflowing with arts, crafts, fresh produce, and thousands of tourists. Museum of Old and New Art: This is the top Hobart tourist attraction and has a huge inventory, but be aware it has many "controversial" exhibits. Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens: This immensely large garden has been in Hobart since 1818. Do[ edit ][ add listing ] Tourists are as diverse in their interests as Tasmania is in its offerings. The rugged terrain lends itself to a wide array of outdoor adventure activities, such as the following: Bushwalking, also known as trekking, is very popular. Two of the most famous bushwalks are the "Overland Track from Cradle Mountain to Lake St. Clair and The South Coast Track from Melaleuca to Cockle Creek, a six-day walk. Bike touring is one of the most scenic ways to familiarize yourself with the Tasmanian landscape.

Also consider mountain biking; there's plenty of rough terrain on the island to facilitate it. Four-wheeling off-road in an all-terrain vehicle is common in this rugged Australian state. Partly this is simply for the pleasure of the ride and the up-close look at the scenery, but there are also many places you simply have a hard time accessing, especially in the woodlands, unless you have an ATV. Trout fishing can be facilitated by local professional guides who specialize in finding you the best trout spots, with due regard for seasonal and weather factors. However, there is more to fish for in Tasmania than just trout, and deep sea fishing is very popular offshore. Scuba diving finds one of its most ideal temperate diving environments in the world in Tasmania. There are gigantic "kelp forests," numerous shipwrecks, reefs, unique marine life (both plants and animals) and dive sites dotting the whole coast — some of the best are in the Bay of Fires, near the Tasman Peninsula, and by Flinders Island. And you can also, of course, swim, dive and surf at the same beaches where much of the scuba diving goes on.

Kayaking is an adventurous way to explore the Tasman coastline, entering tiny coves as you ply along the rugged shore, and you'll find many kayak guides in both Hobart and elsewhere. You can also rent jet boats, cruise the coast in a sailboat or yacht or arrange for whitewater rafting in the inland region. Hang gliding and zip-lining are two great ways to fly over the canopy of Tasmania's thick forests and see them in a way you never otherwise would. There are tours of this sort that last as long as three hours and are headed up by highly-trained professionals. Another way to get a "bird's eye view" of the landscape is to go on scenic airplane or helicopter flights. Other activities you may also wish to take part in include: spelunking in Tasmania's cavernous caves, rock climbing, skiing the high inland slopes in the winter (same months as summer above the Equator), camping in its pristine woodlands and horseback riding. Buy[ edit ][ add listing ] Visitors to Tasmania are greeted with a wide variety of shopping opportunities, including an abundance of outdoor markets and quaint little antique shops. There are also many art galleries with for-sale items and small boutique shops with unique stock.

You can find shopping malls and "standard Australian" stores selling trinkets like boomerangs and koala "Teddy" bears, but this will concentrate on some of the more distinct places to shop in Tasmania: In Hobart , you should check out two main areas: the Central Business District and the small side-streets and lanes where some of the more unusual shops tend to be "hidden away." Some of the best places to shop in Hobart include the following: For high-fashion clothing, try the suburb of Sandy Bay just south of the CBD or any of the major shopping malls lining Murray and Liverpool Streets in Hobart. Go to Art Mob on Hunter Street if you want a souvenir shop that specializes in Aboriginal handicrafts/artwork. Try Mason Studio Jewelers or Emily Snadden at Salamanca Arts Centre for handcrafted jewelry with elaborate, original designs, some of them in an Aboriginal style. The Coin and Stamp Place is the only shop in Hobart specializing in coin and stamp collecting as well as in all things military-related. Kent & Kent Antiques by Constitution Dock gives you both a wide range of authentic antiques and a great view over the bay.

In the same building as Kent & Kent Antiques, you'll find Astrolabe Booksellers, which has a large stock of Tasmanian, Australian, Antarctic, and maritime-themed books, besides more general fare. Many of the books are out of print and rather rare finds. Salamanca Market is a must-see stop in Hobart. It is open every Saturday morning and has numerous stalls offering everything from cheeses and jam to hand-knit beanies and other handicrafts to woodwork and glassware. Saddlers Court Gallery in Richmond , just 16 miles north of Hobart, is an arts and crafts gallery with works on display and for sale by over 100 local Tasmanians. You will find paintings, prints, woodwork, metalwork, ceramics, jewelry and more.

In Launceston , Tasmania's second-largest city, and in other parts of the island's northern half, you will find all of the following and more: At Design Tasmania Center in Launceston, you can find all manner of handmade wares, but its Tasmanian Wood Design Collection is particularly popular for its woodcrafts carved out of locally grown timber, including products of myrtlewood, blackwood, pine and sassafras. Penguin Market is the largest outdoor market in north Tasmania, having over 100 stalls that wrap around the Penguin Primary School. The town is set on the scenic northwest coast and offers everything from furniture to collector's coins, to homewares. Local musicians perform at the market on Sundays, and the kids may enjoy face-painting activities or some time in the on-site "jumping castle." In the north Tasmanian town of Latrobe , you may wish to visit Reliquaire for a unique shopping experience. Toys, candles, handbags, puppets, games, cook books, and Venetian masks compete for attention.

One of the most fun parts of experiencing a new place as a visitor is partaking in the local food culture and Tasmania has plenty to offer in this regard: World-Famous Tasmanian Cuisine[ edit ] Fruits and vegetables and all manner of organic foods are abundantly available. One of the island's nicknames is, in fact, "Apple Isle." You will find markets with fresh produce and restaurants that convert it into farm-fresh dishes. Chips and gravy, (french fries with rich gravy poured over them) is an extremely popular seller, and you can find them at a local "milk bar" (small cafe). More Wild abalone — a shellfish that flourishes along the storm-tossed, Tasmanian coastline — comes from Tasmania than anywhere else on the planet. Also look for scallops, oysters, mussels and crayfish. The Atlantic Salmon that is farmed in Tasman waters is much-sought by top chefs for its flavor and texture, even if it's quite a long way from the Atlantic. Leatherwood honey, produced by beekeepers working in the forested valleys of western Tasmania, has a unique flavor, a deep-yellow coloration, and is unusually thick and creamy.

Cheeses produced in Tasmania are famous throughout Australia, mainly due to the efforts of King Island Dairy. You can try hard, soft, cheddar and blue cheeses, or even cheese from goat's or sheep's milk. Black truffles were discovered in Tasmania in 1999, and since then, the industry has attracted the attention of European chefs who prize them for the fact that they grow during Europe's "truffle off-season." The size ranges from a finger's width to a hand's breadth. Beef grown in Tasmania is free from the antibiotics and hormones used in most other regions, and the cattle are all grass-fed. In the northwest corner of the island, you can find Wagyu beef grown for export to Japan and for tourists. Other meats to look for include: venison, quail and wallaby (a small kangaroo-like marsupial). Famous Hobart Restaurants[ edit ] Ball and Chain Grill in Salamanca Place. Here, you will find fresh Tasmanian beef, poultry, seafood and more, all grilled over charcoals. Blue Eye Seafood Restaurant, also in Salamanca Place, brings together virtually all of Tasmanian seafood under one roof.

The Bruny Island oysters and Spring Bay mussels are especially well-known here. Authentic Asian Gourmet on the Pier, looking over Hobart's Sullivan Cove, is just that — an authentic taste of Asia on a pier a bit far from it. Amigo's, in North Hobart on the famous restaurant strip known as Elizabeth Street, has been serving up high-quality Mexican food along with local Tasman dishes for three decades. Annapurna Indian Cuisine is also on Elizabeth Street, but a second location is found in Salamanca Place. Those unaccustomed to Indian food might think Tasmania an unusual place to first taste it, but Asian immigrants to Australia have brought their culinary skills along with them. Drink[ edit ][ add listing ] "Travelers to Tasmania who are interested in sampling some unique, locally produced beers, whiskies, fruit ciders and fine wines will find plenty to choose from. In fact, the island has quite a long history of brewing/distilling, and many of the traditional techniques are still employed. World Class Beers[ edit ] Boags beer of Launceston and Cascade beer of Hobart are by far the two major beers produced in-state, and you can tour both Cascade Brewery and J.

Boag & Sons Brewery for an up-close look at the manufacturing process and some samples. Boag beer is traditionally the favorite of north-islanders, while Cascade fills that role to the south, but that distinction is now fading as islanders re-locate more frequently and bring their beer preferences with them. Smaller, "boutique," breweries are also found scattered all over the state, including: Seven Sheds in Railton, Van Dieman Brewing in Evandale, Iron House Brewery in White Sands, Moo Brew in Hobart and Morrison Brewery in Launceston. Malt Whiskey[ edit ] You can also tour the Tasmanian whiskey-making industry with such groups as Tasmanian Whiskey Tours or Whiskey Trail, and you will learn much about the people, stories and methods involved from an expert tour guide. Three major whiskey distilleries in Tasmania are: Overeem Distillery, a family-owned business that makes Overeem Single-Malt Whiskey. Sullivan's Cove Whiskey, a luxury brand done in small batches only, by traditional methods only, and using Tasmanian ingredients only.

Lark Distillery in Hobart, another single-malt whiskey producer, which offers a grand selection of whiskies in both old casks and new and with a unique character that makes them "proudly Tasmanian." Fine Wines[ edit ] Due to Tasmania's location further south than the Australian mainland and to its cooler climate, the wines produced on the island are distinct in flavor from those made further north. The main wines produced are Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. There are many tour groups that will take you, step by step, through the various Tasmanian wine-producing regions, though you could also opt to simply drive through the vineyards and visit the wineries on your own. Some of the main grape-growing areas on the island are: the Tamar River Valley just north of Launceston, the "Southern Wine Route," which includes the Derwent, Coal and Huon River Valleys (not far from Hobart), and the more far-flung wine routes of the northwest corner and along the eastern coast." Tasmanian travelers will find a wide array of accommodations where they can rest and recover from the day's activities.

The options are very extensive indeed, but here are a few exemplary choices within four major categories: Camping and Caravanning[ edit ] Tasmania has one of the least-touched natural environments in all of Australia. For this reason, camping at state parks and nature reserves, staying in upscale but close-to-nature cabin accommodations and "caravanning" at any of the state's over 50 caravan (RV) parks are all popular ways to tour the island. Some of the best such places to camp or caravan throughout Tasmania include: Discovery Holiday and Seven Mile Beach in Hobart Launceston Holiday Park in the north Crayfish Creek Cabin Park in the northwest Hillcrest Tourist Park & Market on the "sunshine (east) coast" Strahan Holiday Park on the west coast Hotels and Motels[ edit ] Tasmanian hotels/motels cover the full range from "budget-conscious" to five-star luxury living. Many of them are located in major tourist hot spots, and they frequently include Wi-Fi, swimming pools, game rooms, childcare centers and gymnasiums.

Ten of the most popular hotel chains include: Accor, Best Western, Budget, Grand Chancellor, and Rydges on the more economical side; and on the more upscale side of things, Innkeepers, Pure Tasmania, Stay Tasmania, Tassie B&B Pubs, and TasVillas Group. Bed and Breakfasts[ edit ] Tasmania is famous for its numerous, locally owned bed and breakfast establishments. Some are set in-town inside of colonial-style buildings, while others are located on the edge of the wilderness or near popular beach strips. All of them, however, offer first-rate service and a memorable Tasmanian breakfast. Two exemplary B&B establishments are: Hobart Horizon is located in the beach-side Hobart suburb of Sandy Bay . You stay in a private apartment with access to a fully stocked kitchen, laundry room and private balcony overlooking the Derwent River. The Hobart CBD is only five minutes away. Red Rooster Host Farm is a B&B in a traditional Tasmanian farm setting and is set in the woodlands not far north of Launceston . You can relax in peace and quiet, view wildlife, stay in a quaint but well supplied country cottage and enjoy a farm-style Tasmanian breakfast.

Resorts and Lodges[ edit ] Tasmania's many resorts and lodges are often set amid natural beauty, such as on the edge of a state nature park or on a cliff-side overlooking the ocean, and they offer the highest level of luxury accommodations. You can expect a "full experience," including things like guided tours, spa treatments and fresh local foods and wines. Two exemplary resorts/lodges are: The Lodge on Elizabeth in North Hobart, located on the restaurant-rich Elizabeth Street just five minutes from the CBD. Some suites come with personal spas, and all guests get a continental breakfast. Aspect Tamar Valley Resort Grindelwald just 15 minutes north of Launceston is surrounded by lakes, mountains, and vineyards. It offers guests golf, tennis, saunas, a heated pool, a plush and fully stocked room and near-at-hand fine dining and shopping. Respect[ edit ] Tasmanians are generally more laid back and friendly than their mainland counterparts. They are usually very willing to help you out or give advice when asked. Jokes are occasionally made at the expense of Tasmanians by mainlanders about being inbred or have two heads. This is highly offensive.

While this joke may slide in other parts of Australia it will not go down well here. Stay safe[ edit ] "Vacationing in Tasmania is an experience that many enjoy and remember for a lifetime, but unless your tour of Tasmania is a safe one, you may find yourself remembering it for all the wrong reasons. Even on vacation, safety must still be put first. Here are 10 travel safety tips that tourists to Tasmania should heed: Carefully adhere to all traffic regulations while touring Tasmania's scenic countryside or exploring the streets of Hobart and other island municipalities. Speed limits are normally 50 km/hr (30 mi/hr) in town and 100 km/hr (60 mi/hr) out of town, but watch closely for posted limits and school zones. Drive for conditions. Tasmania is the most mountainous state in Australia and has numerous winding, hilly roads that must be maneuvered with care. Be on the lookout for flocks of sheep, horseback riders and tractors as you drive, and be aware that ice can unexpectedly appear on the highway due to notoriously unstable daily weather patterns. Look for wildlife on the roads from dusk till dawn, and expect to see plenty of roadkill all day long.

Wallabies and wombats can mess up your vehicle quite a bit if you hit one, but never swerve around them unless you are sure no other vehicles are in your path. When at the beach, never swim out of designated swim zones, dive where you are not sure of the water depth or wander too far out where dangerous rip currents can catch you away. Especially if children will be with you, be sure a lifeguard is on duty when/where you will swim. If you go bushwalking, bring full gear, a map, a compass and plenty of water to drink. Be sure to sign the logbook before/after each walk, and don't rely on there being constant Wi-Fi coverage. Rain and cold can strike suddenly, so bring a rain poncho and some warm clothing even if it is sunny out. Be wary of three species of venomous snakes that live on the island: copperheads, white-lipped snakes and tiger snakes. The same anti-venom works for all three species, no one has died of a snake bite in Tasmania since 1977 and most snakes will flee at the sound of people approaching, but still be on your guard.

Boil water before consuming it if you need to refill your water supply while hiking or camping. Even though the water is sometimes safe to drink in remote wilderness areas, you don't want to take any chances. Never go without mosquito repellent when walking in the woods or other rustic areas because Tasmanian mosquitoes carry various harmful diseases, including Ross River Virus. Beware of Jack Jumpers, which are a Tasmanian ant species capable of jumping onto passersby and delivering fiery, stinging bites. Locally known as "jumping-jack firecrackers," these ants are responsible for one fatality every four years. Avoid contact with unknown plant species. There are over 1,000 poisonous plants in Australia, and their toxins can cause things like diarrhea, rashes and vomiting." While driving[ edit ] When driving observe the speed limits. The rules are simple. 50km/h on all Tasmanian streets, and 100km/h on highways and country roads unless otherwise signposted. Many of Tasmania's country roads are narrow and windy, use common sense and drive to the conditions - not the speed limit.

Always slow down at school zones and crossings when in operation or you may be surprised by a waiting police car and receive a fine. Be especially careful driving between dusk and dawn as this is when the wildlife is most active. Be prepared to see a lot of roadkill. Wallabies and wombats can make a mess of your vehicle if hit. Drivers swerving to avoid wildlife have caused many accidents. In the Bush[ edit ] Bushwalking can be a truly breathtaking experience in Tasmania, but be sure to obtain the right gear, local advice and maps. Always sign the logbook at the beginning and end of each walk. Be aware that mobile coverage is limited in wilderness areas. The main dangers of bushwalking are getting lost and/or suffering from hypothermia. Tasmania's weather is notoriously changeable. Be sure to take a good raincoat and warm clothes with you even on a sunny day because an hour or two later it could be pouring with rain. If undertaking more serious bushwalking a map and compass is a must, as is a good sleeping bag and tent for multi-day walks. There are three species of snake in Tasmania: copperhead, white-lipped, and tiger.

The tiger snake is one of the most venomous snakes in the world, but don't let that deter you. No one has died in Tasmania by snake bite since 1977, almost 40 years ago! All three use the same anti-venom so identification of the snake if bitten is not important. Most snakes will slither away as soon as they hear you coming. While in wilderness areas the water may be good to drink, but it is still highly recommended that you boil before consumption. If in touristy areas, such as The Overland Track, always boil your water. Mosquitoes are present all year round. There are mosquitoes-born viruses. Numerous cases of Ross River Virus are on record with the State Health Department .A good repellent is advisable if going into the bush.

Question: What country is Tasmania a part of?
Answer: Australia