Tasmania
Tasmania
Tasmania, an island at the world's edge, is purpose-built for outdoor adventure and seeing wildlife up close. With nearly half of its territory protected by national parks and reserves, it’s one of the last great temperate wilderness areas on Earth.
Epic adventures abound in Tasmania: whether it’s walking through a lush forest, across wild alpine plateaus, or up a dramatic peak, taking a dip at an empty white-sand beach, or kayaking along a serene river to spot a platypus.
Explorers and adventure seekers can enjoy wildlife spotting, mountain biking, iconic walks, fly-fishing, surfing, golf, yoga and wellness.
The island state’s reputation for incredible local produce – particularly cheese, seafood, cool-climate wines, artisan beers, whisky, and gin – ensures visitors will be well-fed (and lubricated).
See Sample 5-Day Itineraries in TasmaniaHOBART AND SURROUNDS
Interesting Facts about Tasmania
- Tasmania is Australia’s only island state – its smallest and most southerly.
- Tasmania is the world’s 26th-biggest island – it’s around the same size as the Republic of Ireland, Sri Lanka, Maine or Indiana.
- The Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area is one of the largest conservation areas in Australia, covering almost 20% of the state.
- Tasmania’s palawa Aboriginal peoples walked to the island at least 40,000 years ago, across a land bridge which disappeared beneath the sea after the last ice age, about 10,000 years ago.
- Tasmania's has 19 national parks, from World Heritage listed temperate rainforests to amazing coastal landscapes, protecting some unique plant species – survivors from the ancient southern super continent, Gondwana.
- Tasmania isn’t just one island – there are 333 other islands floating off the Tasmanian mainland.
- The Aurora Australis is a magical visitor to Tasmania’s night skies. Like the Aurora Borealis in the Northern Hemisphere, the ‘Southern Lights’ are caused by solar winds blowing through the Earth’s magnetic field.
- Tasmania’s Tasman Peninsula is home to the highest sea cliffs in the Southern Hemisphere, soaring 300m from the ocean.
- Famous people who have come from Tasmania include Hollywood bad boy Errol Flynn, Crown Princess Mary of Denmark, and actor Simon Baker.
- A 10m monster, Shipstern Bluff is one of the planet’s heaviest, most dangerous waves, rising off the Tasman Peninsula south east of Hobart. Before the early 2000s, ‘Shippies’ was thought by many to be just a myth.
Tasmania's Central Highlands are home to thousands of lakes and waterways – many of them full of trout. - Tasmania has some of Australia’s most unusual golf courses. There are fairways clinging to cliff edges, holes scattered through sand dunes, greens surrounded by sheep paddocks…
Mona, arguably the world’s most controversial private collection of modern art and antiquities, is on the banks of the River Derwent just north of central Hobart. - In 2008 the Tasmanian devil was listed as endangered, with a facial tumour disease threatening the survival of the species. Breeding and isolation programs have been relatively successful ensuring a future for these feisty mammals.
- The Thylacine (Tasmanian tiger) is officially extinct, but there have been many unsubstantiated sightings by those who have ventured into Tasmania's remote south-west wilderness.
- Founded in 1804 as a penal colony, Hobart is Australia’s second oldest capital city after Sydney – and has a natural harbour that’s just as good looking as Sydney’s.
- Fancy a drink? Tasmanian whisky, gin, craft beer and cool-climate wines – especially sparkling wines – are regular winners of ‘world’s best’ awards.
- Crossing Bass Strait to Tasmania is easy. Take a direct flight from a major Australian city – it’s an hour from Melbourne or two hours from Sydney – or cruise from Melbourne on the Spirit of Tasmania passenger ferry (around nine hours).
