Tasmania is a relatively unspoilt and unique island, located 240km off the south-east corner of mainland Australia. Encircled by the wild waters of the Southern Ocean, Tasman Sea and Bass Strait, its closest neighbour to the south is Antarctica, 2,000km away.

Tasmania is the smallest of Australia's six states. At 68,000 square kilometres, Tasmania is comparable in size with the Republic of Ireland, West Virginia (USA) and Hokkaido (Japan). In total, it is only 0.9% of the Australian land mass but the population of 500,000 can boast of a home that has eight mountains greater than 1,220 metres, dramatic coastlines, more than 330 offshore islands and large tracts of ancient forests. Close to 44% of Tasmania's environment is protected in World Heritage Areas, National Parks and other reserves.

During the last Ice Age, Tasmania was part of mainland Australia, sharing many wildlife species. When the ice melted, the seas rose to form the 240km-wide, shallow but tempestuous Bass Strait.

This body of water allowed Tasmania to become a "Noah's Ark" for many species that were lost from the mainland because of the arrival of predators, such as the dingo and the fox. The Tasmanian devil, the world's largest marsupial carnivore, survived because of this isolation.

The water also isolated the Tasmanian Aboriginal people, who had been settled in this part of Australia for at least 20,000 years. Their population, estimated at 5,000 to 10,000, fell rapidly after the British established the first convict settlement near Hobart in 1803. By 1847 there were about 70,000 Europeans on the island, and significant landscape change had occurred in areas suitable for farming.

Modern Tasmanian society has well and truly left behinds its convict roots, although the State cherishes its rich history.

Today Tasmania's population of 500,000 is largely decentralised, with more than half living outside the capital city, Hobart. Aboriginal people live in all parts of the State, with particularly strong links to the Furneaux Group islands in the Bass Strait.

Major industries supporting the local economy include tourism, agriculture, forestry, mining, fishing and fine arts.

Tasmanians enjoy a temperate maritime climate, a rich cultural life, easy access to a range of wilderness experiences and abundant wildlife, and acclaimed food and wine - all this, while breathing the cleanest air in the world!

 

Learn more about Tasmania

• Everything Tasmanian
  For a comprehensive guide to everything Tasmanian on the web, go to: www.tas.gov.au.
• Tourism and what's on
  For the official tourism website of Tasmania, go to: www.discovertasmania.com. This site also keeps up-to-date lists of current events across the State.
• Unique wildlife
  When sea levels rose at the end of the last Ice Age, Tasmania was separated from mainland Australia. For the past 10,000 years, Tasmania has been a living museum, its ancient marsupials surviving in splendid isolation. Find out about Tasmania's unique wildlife on the Tasmanian Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment website
• Where to see Tasmania's native animals
  Visitors to Tasmania are often surprised at how accessible Tasmania's native wildlife is. The Discover Tasmania website provides details on Tasmania's National Parks, wildlife parks, specialist wildlife tours and attractions.
• Wildlife map (PDF 886KB)
  You can also download a brochure on Tasmania's wildlife, which includes a map of Tasmania showing the location of Tasmania's National Parks and Wildlife Tourism Operators plus photographs of Tasmanian wildlife.
• Threatened Species booklet
  This booklet was produced for Threatened Species Day - 7 September 2007. (PDF, 2.2 MB)
• Environment
  Close to 44% of Tasmania is protected in World Heritage Areas, National Parks and other reserves. To find out more, go to: www.parks.tas.gov.au.
• Agriculture
  Tasmania is blessed with pure water, clean air and fertile soils. Its agricultural produce, as well as its food and wine, is acclaimed around the world. To learn more, go to: www.dpipwe.tas.gov.au.
• Education and research
  The University of Tasmania (www.utas.edu.au/foundation/devil) is an international university working out of Tasmania. UTAS is one of the top ten research institutions in Australia, the country's fourth oldest university and the only university in the State.
• Lifestyle
  For an overview of business, industry and economic activity within Tasmania, go to: www.development.tas.gov.au
• The arts
  For the latest in the arts world, including grants, prizes and projects, go to: www.arts.tas.gov.au