Tasmania

Tasmania is separated from mainland Australia by Bass Strait and is the smallest state in Australia. The capital, Hobart, was founded in 1804 as a penal colony, and is Australia’s second oldest capital city after Sydney. One-fifth of Tasmania is covered by national parks and wilderness areas. It is one of the world’s most mountainous islands whose geology reflects Australia’s connection millions of years ago with Antarctica.

Since Tasmania is an island with no place more than 115 kilometres from the sea, its climate is classified as mild temperate maritime. Summers are mild and rainfall is spread fairly evenly throughout the year, although the winter months are the wettest. Because of its latitude, the seasons are much more evident in Tasmania than the rest of Australia. Hobart has four distinct seasons. The warmest months, January and February, are also the driest with average temperatures of around 21°C. While exposed to the southerly winds from the Antarctic, Hobart is protected by Mt Wellington from the worst weather.

Soak up history on Hobart’s riverfront cobblestone streets and wind through the Coal Valley’s cool-climate wineries. Lose your breath at Wineglass Bay and discover shipwrecks and diamonds on Flinders Island. Walk over Cataract Gorge, a dramatic wilderness in the heart of Launceston, or head to the World Heritage-listed wilderness that makes up 20 per cent of the island. See your face in Dove Lake and trek the Overland Track in Cradle-Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park, wander through dark Gondwanan rainforest Southwest National Park and watch two wild rivers tumble through valleys as one in Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park. As well as rugged and ancient natural beauty, Tasmania has a thriving creative culture, a rich history of convicts, piners, miners and whalers and fabulous food and wine.

Information on domestic consumers, including tourism facts, quarterly indicators, market sectors and activities, accommodation, business events and future trends can all be found on the STO’s corporate websites and links have been provided under each state and region.

Industry Resources

• Regional Website : Discover Tasmania
• Tourism Australia Website : Welcome to Australia
• Research and Statistics : Tourism Tasmania
• Research and Statistics : Tourism Australia Corporate Website

CREDITS

• Information Source : Tourism Australia
• Regional Map : Copyright 2014 GoPanda Communications GoPanda