Tasmania is Australia’s only island state and is a very popular tourist and holiday destination with Australian and International visitors alike. It has a mild climate and comprises a number of islands (a main island plus a number of smaller ones) with a resident population in excess of 500 000 people. Hobart is the capital city, located in the South of the main island, having over 200,000 inhabitants.

The main island of Tasmania is situated some 240 kilometers South-East of the Australian mainland and its next closest capital city of Melbourne, Victoria. It is the 26th largest island in the world and covers around 62,409 square kilometers (equating to about 24,096 square miles). Attractions include world heritage classified rainforests (around 35%), historic sites, pristine, white sandy beaches and some of the most beautiful scenery and coastal regions in Australia. Popular activities include surfing, bush walking and fishing; Tasmania is regarded as a mecca for fresh-water anglers due to its world-renowned Brown Trout fisheries.

European interest in Tasmania began with Dutch coastal exploration in 1642. Although Dutch explorers of the time were given a charter to discover new mineral wealth they overlooked the hidden riches lying on the Tasmanian west coast; this region was later proven to be one of the most heavily mineralised and productive mining areas in Australia. The French also visited Tasmania but like the Dutch they laid no claim to the island.

The first European settlers were the British in 1803 who had already realized the merit’s of Tasmania’s relative isolation with regard to the establishment of a penal colony for the transportation and containment of convict’s from England and the associated development of agriculture and farming industries using convict labour. Tasmania therefore has a strong colonial history as evidenced by its many surviving convict-constructed buildings and structures and numerous other tourist attractions. This makes for a vivid and fascinating social history.

Tasmania has an abundance of fauna and flora, many species being endemic to the state. Two classic (and famous) examples of native animals are the Tasmanian Devil and the Tasmanian Tiger (or Thylacine) the latter species now considered by many to be extinct. Despite this occasional sightings are still made.

Equally famous is the beautiful Huon Pine (Lagarostrobos franklinii), a species of slow growing tree found only in Tasmania which contains a sweetly fragrant oil, giving the timber unique preservative and water resistance properties and making it very resilient to decay even in salt water. It is therefore regarded as an ideal material for the construction of wooden boats, a fact which inspired a thriving timber and boat building industry during the convict era. This timber (amongst others) is also popular with local craftsmen who produce a large range of distinctly Tasmanian souvenir and household items for sale, making for unique and highly attractive handcrafted gifts.

Whilst the West Coast of Tasmania has the highest rainfall, the East Coast has the mildest weather, primarily to the effect of the west coast mountain range (which effectively divides the two areas). All regions have their own unique attractions based on their respective local history and attractions. For example (as already alluded to) the whole of the West Coast is predominantly steeped in mining history and rainforest areas, much of it now preserved forever whilst the East Coast has a strong fishing heritage. Areas of interest include the Bay of Fires at St. Helen’s (which has won international tourism awards), Wine Glass Bay and Freycinet Peninsula to name but a few.

Aside from mining and tourism examples of other major Tasmanian industries include wool growing, managed timber growing and the export of local seafood including Abalone, Western Rock Lobster and Tasmanian Atlantic Salmon.

With its relaxing lifestyle, clean air, pure water and remarkable opportunities for sightseeing, outdoor experiences and sampling of local cuisine, Tasmania represents an ideal vacation destination for those keen to visit Australia. Full air services operate between Tasmania and the Australian mainland as well as ferry boat services connecting at Devonport in the North-West of the state.