Tasmania (TAS)

Tasmania overview

Tasmania largest cities:
Hobart, Launceston.

Total area: 64,519 sq. km.
Population: 504,000 (2004)
Approximate width west to east: 200km.
Approximate height, north to south: 200km.
Highest point: Mt Ossa

Tasmania is Australia's smallest and most southerly State, 240 km off the south-eastern corner, separated from the mainland by Bass Strait. Tasmania is an island about the size of Scotland or almost twice the size of Switzerland.

Tasmania has a dramatically different landscape than the mainland, there is no arid Outback here.

Tasmania is an island of contrasts: from rugged mountainous wilderness, with lakes, waterfalls and steeply falling rivers to rolling hills and deserted beaches and unspoiled, natural beauty of national parks and world heritage areas and with some of the cleanest waterways and air on earth. Fields with rows of tall poplars, apple and pear orchards, rich pastoral plains, great mining complexes, wonderful fishing.

Tasmania's climate is temperate, with four distinct seasons. Warm and sunny summers, crisp, cool and dry winters with some snow on mountain tops.

Tasmania landscape is famous for its natural beauty. Over one third of Tasmania is wilderness protected, so the opportunities to view the unspoiled landscape are plentiful. On top of this, due to the island's size, the many attractions are easily accessible without days of travel. This has made Tasmania very popular for pushbike tours and bushwalking treks. It is said that the scenery is so beautiful that it will change the way you think about landscape.

Tasmania origin of name

Known as Van Diemen's Land until 1855, the island was renamed for Abel Janszoon Tasman, the Dutch navigator who discovered it in 1642.

Tasmania history

Tasmania, formerly known as Van Deimen's Land, was colonised from New South Wales and was intended to serve the purpose of a subsidiary penal settlement.

Tasmania history began when Lieutenant Bowen, in charge of an expedition dispatched from Sydney, took possession of the island on the 12th September, 1803, and formed a settlement on the east bank of the Derwent River, at Risdon; but the actual commencement of colonisation dates from February, 1804, when Lieutenant-Colonel Collins established himself at Sulivan's Cove, and laid the foundations of the present city of Hobart.

The Government was administered from Sydney until the year 1825, when, in the month of December, Van Deimen's Land was duly constituted an independent province. In May, 1853, it was officially announced that transportation had ceased, and in the following year the name of the colony was changed from Van Deimen's Land to Tasmania.

The Royal assent to the existing Constitution Act was proclaimed on the 24th October, 1855, and the first representative Parliament was opened on the 2nd December, 1856.

Tasmania economy

Tasmania economy is modern and industrialized and provides a high standard of living for its population. Tasmania economy industry is closely integrated with, and has a similar structure to, the national economy. Tasmania economy is prominent in the production and processing of agricultural, marine, mineral and forest products. Tourism and energy production are also important sectors.

The strength of the Tasmania economy derives from a range of factors. Major forest resources provide hardwood fibre for wood markets. There are valuable fisheries resources in the extensive territorial waters and deep seas around the island. Tasmania is an ideal location for aquaculture. Tourism's strong economic contribution is based on a wide range of scenic attractions, including major World Heritage listed wilderness areas.

A strong export orientation, amongst the highest of the Australian States, provides Tasmania economy with wide development opportunities, especially in an environment of favourable exchange rates for Australian exporters. Consistent with this outward focus, Tasmania economy has less dependence on protection against imports than the other Australian States.

Useful links:

Tasmania Online - your gateway to Tasmania | rank: 7/10
State Library site with a comprehensive index to Tasmanian business, arts, travel, events and government.

Tasmania education

Useful links:

University of Tasmania | rank: 7/10
The main two campuses are in the Hobart suburb of Sandy Bay and in the Launceston suburb of Newnham. There is the North West Centre located in Burnie.
Department of Education | rank: 5/10
Department of Education
Explore the Tasmanian Department of Education Online | rank: 6/10
Education, Training & Information. Browse our organisational units, Adult Education, Archives Office, Child Care Unit, Corporate Services, Education Branch.
Catholic Education Tasmania | rank: 5/10
Main resource for information about Catholic schools in Tasmania.

Tasmania culture

Useful links:

Library - University of Tasmania | rank: 6/10
What's New. Try our CrossSearch pilot. Search up to 8 databases simultaneously and more... '90 days on the island[s] - stories from UTAS volunteer.
State Library of Tasmania | rank: 6/10
A network of 54 libraries across Tasmania.
Arts Tasmania | rank: 5/10
Tasmanian Government's arts funding, policy and advice body. Has information on structure, policies and grants.

Tasmania sport

Useful links:

Soccer Tasmania | rank: 5/10
Statewide results, fixtures, and junior and womens soccer.
Tennis Tasmania Home Page | rank: 5/10
Tennis Tasmania Website. ... The entry closing date has been extended for the Tasmanian Junior Masters and Tasmanian Junior Open.

Tasmania main attractions

  • snowfields
  • unspoiled mountain landscapes
  • historical places
  • Launceston and Hobart casinos
  • national parks
  • Gordon River
  • Franklin River
  • fishing
  • magnificent seascapes
  • thermal pools
  • Tasmanian devil
  • Tasmania is known as "The Holiday Isle" and tourism is an important industry
Useful links:

Tourism Tasmania Corporate Web Site | rank: 5/10
Resources for Tasmanian businesses working tourism industry.
Tasmania Hotels & Accommodation - Vacation reservations | rank: 5/10
The ultimate travel guide and reservations centre for vacation, business and conference travelers to the historic, scenic and natural island.

Tasmania capital

Tasmania capital is Hobart, which has a population of near 200,000 people. The whole of Tasmania is renowned for the beauty of its surrounds and Hobart is no exception. The beautiful Derwent River surrounds the city, which is overlooked by the stunning peak of Mount Wellington.

Nearby Battery Point was settled in 1804. It remains largely residential, with more than 40 historic buildings still in use. Take Kelly's Steps from Salamanca Place and explore on foot. Be sure to visit Arthur's Circus, a settlement of quaint worker's cottages.

The Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens house a range of native and exotic plants. A short walk away, the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery displays an outstanding collection of colonial art and cultural and natural history.

Hobart is noted for its fine restaurants. Take your pick from the good range around Salamanca Place, or visit Elizabeth Street, North Hobart.