Tasmania is Australia's smallest and only island state with a population of roughly 500,000 people. It enjoys a unique lifestyle and beautiful landscapes. It is separated by a body of water called the Bass Strait that has isolated it from the rest of Australia for thousands of years.
Understand
Tasmania was settled by the British as a penal colony and convicts were first transported to what was then called Van Diemen's Land, in 1804. Penal settlements were established at Sullivans Cove (Hobart), Maria Island, Sarah Island, and Port Arthur. The ruins of the convict jails can still be seen in these places, particularly at Port Arthur, which has been carefully preserved and has many convict related activities for tourists. For its size, Tasmania has plenty attractions and you could spend a month there and still not see everything.
Tasmania promotes itself internationally as Australia's Natural State and within Australia as the Island of Inspiration. About 40% of the island is protected as national parks, World Heritage Areas, and forest and marine reserves. It is also a state dominated by logging, with vast tracts of old growth forest being destroyed. The catch cry is "see Tasmania before it is gone".
Tasmania is famous for its merino wool which is used by Japanese companies to manufacture high quality men's suits. It is also known world-wide for the Tasmanian tiger, a now extinct striped marsupial dog-like animal, and the nocturnal Tasmanian devil, a small black and white marsupial whose sharp teeth and frightening screams belie the fact that it is shy of humans. Tasmanian devils are currently under threat of extinction due to a widespread facial tumour. The state government is endeavouring to detect the cause of the tumours and preserve disease-free colonies.
On the whole, expect a good mix of nice natural scenery, fresh food and wines, and heritage.
Time Zone
Tasmania is 10 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time and 18 hours ahead of Pacific Standard Time (PST). Daylight Saving is observed from the first Sunday of October to the first Sunday of April the following year.
AEST - Australian Eastern Standard Time UTC+10
AEDT - Australian Eastern Daylight Saving Time UTC+11
Tasmania is served by several national and regional airlines, primarily flying into Hobart and Launceston. Some flights are also available to Burnie and Devonport from Melbourne.
By ferry
Tasmania is served by two Spirit of Tasmania Ferries from mainland Australia. They depart daily from Station Pier in Port Melbourne (a bayside suburb of Melbourne) and arrive at Devonport taking the full night (or the full day during peak summer periods) for the crossing.
The crossing can be a little rocky at times, but provides beautiful views. You have the option of booking one of a range of a cabins or a reclining chair for the journey. The large ferries take vehicles, bikes, foot passengers and pets.
See the Devonport article for the details of the ferry.
Rental car companies usually have restrictions on taking vehicles into or out of Tasmania on the ferry. If you have hired a car on the mainland and need a car to hire in Tasmania, it's best to drop the car off in Melbourne CBD (there is no hire car dropoff at Station Pier), then take the 109 tram out to Station Pier (the terminus is across the road from the ferry terminal); car hire is available at the Devonport terminal.
Traveling around
By car
Getting around Tasmania by car is by far the most convenient way to see what the state has to offer. Cars can be brought into Tasmania from the mainland on the Spirit of Tasmania ferry (see above), or hired upon arrival.
With the exception of Highway 1 between Devonport, Launceston and Hobart, travel times by car will be much longer than you think. Averaging anything near the state limit of 100km/h is generally just not possible. Even A and B roads wind their way through mountain passes and along coastlines, with few overtaking lanes, and on some roads averaging 60km/h is only just achievable. Seek local advice if timing is critical, or just allow more time. What appears the most direct road can add hours to your journey time. Again, seek local advice on the quickest route if timing is critical.
Tasmania uses an alphanumeric system for road references, and all roads are generally well marked with references and destinations. Attractions are generally well signposted from the nearest main road. As a result, it is quite possible to navigate most of Tasmania using only a rudimentary map. Exploring the forests can often lead to a maze of forest roads. A GPS can come in handy for finding your way out, but beware GPS maps are not always up to date and following them blindly can add unnecessary time to travel.
By bus
If you have plenty of time in Tasmania, buses can be an option, but you would be advised to study timetable carefully and to do an extra bit of planning, as services can be infrequent.
Two major companies which service most of Tasmania:
Tassielink
Redline Tasmania
Metro Tasmania provides intra-city bus services for Burnie, Hobart and Launceston.
Merseylink provides services to Devonport and Latrobe
By train
Tasmania has no passenger trains, the last having ended in 1975. There is, however, a passenger tourist train operated as the West Coast Wilderness Railway running between Strahan and Queenstown on the west coast of Tasmania. The trip takes about 3 hours with lunch included.
By plane
Tasair offers daily flights from Hobart to Burnie, Devonport, King Island. They are based in Hobart, with a smaller base in Devonport.
By bicycle
Bicycle touring is a popular way to see Tasmania.
Things to do
Trout Fishing, . Trout Guides and Lodges Tasmania Incorporated (TGALT) is the industry body, that was voluntarily formed in 1981, initially called the, Tasmanian Professional Trout Fishing Guides Association. Its primary purpose was to provide anglers with a source of guides that they could be assured, would provide a safe, appropriate and professional service. During 1995 the Association was expanded to specifically include trout fishing lodges as full members.
The Overland Track, . The iconic bushwalk from Cradle Mountain to Lake St Clair - bookings essential during the main walking season (November to April).
The Great Tasmanian Bike Ride, - held in early February.
Bicycle Touring and Mountain Biking, There are some Great places to ride your bicycle in Tasmania. Australia By Bike offer fully supported tours of Tasmania include all accommodation and meals throughout the year.
Dive the Giant Kelp Forests, Giant Kelp forests can be found around the coasts and provide a unique temperate diving experience.
Eat
There are a wide variety of culinary offerings in Tasmania, from the best chips and gravy at the local milk bar, to world renowned chefs in amazing upper class restaurants.
Drink
Tasmania has superb wine regions including along the Tamar River and Down in the Huon Valley.
In addition, Tasmania has the Cascade and Boags breweries in Hobart and Launceston respectively, which offer tours. A number of boutique beer makers and distillers also exist.
There is also a large spring water industry in Tasmania, which means that some bars and restaurants do not to offer free tap water (they are not legally obliged to do so).
Sleep
There is a variety of accommodation available across the state, from camping through to 5-star luxury. Individual cities and regions pages have more information.
Tasmania is particularly renowned for its hosted bed and breakfast accommodation, where you can experience a different way of life in a whole range of different properties, including heritage listed and more modern properties in stunning locations.
Safety
When driving observe the speed limits. The rules are simple. 50km/h on all Tasmanian streets, and 100km/h on highways and freeways unless otherwise signposted.
Be aware that there are many wild animals in Tasmania, and be prepared to see a lot of roadkill. Be especially careful at dusk and dawn. Although wallabies and wombats are not large, they can make a mess of your vehicle and drivers swerving to avoid them have caused many accidents.
When driving on highways and freeways, do be careful of large trucks. Speeding large trucks are common and dangerous. If one is heading your way slow down and move towards the side of the road, letting it pass.
Always slow down at school zones and crossings when in operation or you may be surprised by a waiting police car and receive a fine.
Bushwalking can be a truly breathtaking experience in Tasmania, but be sure to obtain the right gear and local advice and maps. Always sign the book at the beginning and end of each walk. Be aware that mobile coverage is very limited (although reception can often be had on Mt Ossa, Tasmania's highest mountain). The main dangers are getting lost and/or suffering hypothermia. If you include thermals, a good sleeping bag and a map and compass in your shopping list, these scenarios are unlikely.
There is a large tract of NE Tasmania that has been planted with genetically modified Eucalypts which have been linked to an increase in the incidence of rare and common cancers in the region. This has been linked to contamination of the water table, but the government refuses to investigate the matter further so it is unlikely to be resolved in the near future. Despite the environmental impact, it is worth drinking bottled water when in the area.
Contact & location
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Tasmania is Australia's smallest and only island state with a population of roughly 500,000 people. It enjoys a unique lifestyle and beautiful landscapes. It is separated by a body of water called the Bass Strait that has isolated it from the rest of Australia for thousands of years.
Understand
Tasmania was settled by the British as a penal colony and convicts were first transported to what was then called Van Diemen's Land, in 1804. Penal settlements were established at Sullivans Cove (Hobart), Maria Island, Sarah Island, and Port Arthur. The ruins of the convict jails can still be seen in these places, particularly at Port Arthur, which has been carefully preserved and has many convict related activities for tourists. For its size, Tasmania has plenty attractions and you could spend a month there and still not see everything.
Tasmania promotes itself internationally as Australia's Natural State and within Australia as the Island of Inspiration. About 40% of the island is protected as national parks, World Heritage Areas, and forest and marine reserves. It is also a state dominated by logging, with vast tracts of old growth forest being destroyed. The catch cry is "see Tasmania before it is gone".
Tasmania is famous for its merino wool which is used by Japanese companies to manufacture high quality men's suits. It is also known world-wide for the Tasmanian tiger, a now extinct striped marsupial dog-like animal, and the nocturnal Tasmanian devil, a small black and white marsupial whose sharp teeth and frightening screams belie the fact that it is shy of humans. Tasmanian devils are currently under threat of extinction due to a widespread facial tumour. The state government is endeavouring to detect the cause of the tumours and preserve disease-free colonies.
On the whole, expect a good mix of nice natural scenery, fresh food and wines, and heritage.
Time Zone
Tasmania is 10 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time and 18 hours ahead of Pacific Standard Time (PST). Daylight Saving is observed from the first Sunday of October to the first Sunday of April the following year.
AEST - Australian Eastern Standard Time UTC+10
AEDT - Australian Eastern Daylight Saving Time UTC+11
Regions
Hobart and surrounds
Hobart - the state capital
Southeast Tasmania
Huon Valley & D'Entrecasteaux Channel
Derwent Valley and Central Highlands
Launceston, Tamar Valley and the North
Launceston and the Tamar Valley
Midlands
Northeast Tasmania
North west coast
Devonport & Cradle Valley
The North West Coast
Bass Strait Islands
Cities
Hobart - the state capital
Launceston - the state's second largest city
Burnie
Devonport
Towns
Deloraine
Latrobe
Penguin
Queenstown
Richmond
Ross
Bicheno
Scottsdale
Strahan
St Helens
Swansea
Ulverstone
Wynyard
Boat Harbour
Stanley
Other destinations
Port Arthur and the Tasman Peninsula
Strahan and the Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park
Cradle Mountain-Lake St. Clair National Park
The Freycinet Peninsula and Wineglass Bay
The Huon Valley
Maria Island
Mt Field National Park and Russell Falls
Ben Lomond National Park
Bruny Island
Itineraries
Getting there
By plane
Tasmania is served by several national and regional airlines, primarily flying into Hobart and Launceston. Some flights are also available to Burnie and Devonport from Melbourne.
By ferry
Tasmania is served by two Spirit of Tasmania Ferries from mainland Australia. They depart daily from Station Pier in Port Melbourne (a bayside suburb of Melbourne) and arrive at Devonport taking the full night (or the full day during peak summer periods) for the crossing.
The crossing can be a little rocky at times, but provides beautiful views. You have the option of booking one of a range of a cabins or a reclining chair for the journey. The large ferries take vehicles, bikes, foot passengers and pets.
See the Devonport article for the details of the ferry.
Rental car companies usually have restrictions on taking vehicles into or out of Tasmania on the ferry. If you have hired a car on the mainland and need a car to hire in Tasmania, it's best to drop the car off in Melbourne CBD (there is no hire car dropoff at Station Pier), then take the 109 tram out to Station Pier (the terminus is across the road from the ferry terminal); car hire is available at the Devonport terminal.
Traveling around
By car
Getting around Tasmania by car is by far the most convenient way to see what the state has to offer. Cars can be brought into Tasmania from the mainland on the Spirit of Tasmania ferry (see above), or hired upon arrival.
With the exception of Highway 1 between Devonport, Launceston and Hobart, travel times by car will be much longer than you think. Averaging anything near the state limit of 100km/h is generally just not possible. Even A and B roads wind their way through mountain passes and along coastlines, with few overtaking lanes, and on some roads averaging 60km/h is only just achievable. Seek local advice if timing is critical, or just allow more time. What appears the most direct road can add hours to your journey time. Again, seek local advice on the quickest route if timing is critical.
Tasmania uses an alphanumeric system for road references, and all roads are generally well marked with references and destinations. Attractions are generally well signposted from the nearest main road. As a result, it is quite possible to navigate most of Tasmania using only a rudimentary map. Exploring the forests can often lead to a maze of forest roads. A GPS can come in handy for finding your way out, but beware GPS maps are not always up to date and following them blindly can add unnecessary time to travel.
By bus
If you have plenty of time in Tasmania, buses can be an option, but you would be advised to study timetable carefully and to do an extra bit of planning, as services can be infrequent.
Two major companies which service most of Tasmania:
Tassielink
Redline Tasmania
Metro Tasmania provides intra-city bus services for Burnie, Hobart and Launceston.
Merseylink provides services to Devonport and Latrobe
By train
Tasmania has no passenger trains, the last having ended in 1975. There is, however, a passenger tourist train operated as the West Coast Wilderness Railway running between Strahan and Queenstown on the west coast of Tasmania. The trip takes about 3 hours with lunch included.
By plane
Tasair offers daily flights from Hobart to Burnie, Devonport, King Island. They are based in Hobart, with a smaller base in Devonport.
By bicycle
Bicycle touring is a popular way to see Tasmania.
Things to do
Trout Fishing, . Trout Guides and Lodges Tasmania Incorporated (TGALT) is the industry body, that was voluntarily formed in 1981, initially called the, Tasmanian Professional Trout Fishing Guides Association. Its primary purpose was to provide anglers with a source of guides that they could be assured, would provide a safe, appropriate and professional service. During 1995 the Association was expanded to specifically include trout fishing lodges as full members.
The Overland Track, . The iconic bushwalk from Cradle Mountain to Lake St Clair - bookings essential during the main walking season (November to April).
The Great Tasmanian Bike Ride, - held in early February.
Bicycle Touring and Mountain Biking, There are some Great places to ride your bicycle in Tasmania. Australia By Bike offer fully supported tours of Tasmania include all accommodation and meals throughout the year.
Dive the Giant Kelp Forests, Giant Kelp forests can be found around the coasts and provide a unique temperate diving experience.
Eat
There are a wide variety of culinary offerings in Tasmania, from the best chips and gravy at the local milk bar, to world renowned chefs in amazing upper class restaurants.
Drink
Tasmania has superb wine regions including along the Tamar River and Down in the Huon Valley.
In addition, Tasmania has the Cascade and Boags breweries in Hobart and Launceston respectively, which offer tours. A number of boutique beer makers and distillers also exist.
There is also a large spring water industry in Tasmania, which means that some bars and restaurants do not to offer free tap water (they are not legally obliged to do so).
Sleep
There is a variety of accommodation available across the state, from camping through to 5-star luxury. Individual cities and regions pages have more information.
Tasmania is particularly renowned for its hosted bed and breakfast accommodation, where you can experience a different way of life in a whole range of different properties, including heritage listed and more modern properties in stunning locations.
Safety
When driving observe the speed limits. The rules are simple. 50km/h on all Tasmanian streets, and 100km/h on highways and freeways unless otherwise signposted.
Be aware that there are many wild animals in Tasmania, and be prepared to see a lot of roadkill. Be especially careful at dusk and dawn. Although wallabies and wombats are not large, they can make a mess of your vehicle and drivers swerving to avoid them have caused many accidents.
When driving on highways and freeways, do be careful of large trucks. Speeding large trucks are common and dangerous. If one is heading your way slow down and move towards the side of the road, letting it pass.
Always slow down at school zones and crossings when in operation or you may be surprised by a waiting police car and receive a fine.
Bushwalking can be a truly breathtaking experience in Tasmania, but be sure to obtain the right gear and local advice and maps. Always sign the book at the beginning and end of each walk. Be aware that mobile coverage is very limited (although reception can often be had on Mt Ossa, Tasmania's highest mountain). The main dangers are getting lost and/or suffering hypothermia. If you include thermals, a good sleeping bag and a map and compass in your shopping list, these scenarios are unlikely.
There is a large tract of NE Tasmania that has been planted with genetically modified Eucalypts which have been linked to an increase in the incidence of rare and common cancers in the region. This has been linked to contamination of the water table, but the government refuses to investigate the matter further so it is unlikely to be resolved in the near future. Despite the environmental impact, it is worth drinking bottled water when in the area.
Contact & location
Be the first one to add a review
The photos displayed on this page are the property of one of the following authors:
Andrew Braithwaite, Nomad Tales, Amy Han, Grant Williamson, sri_the_quack, Eli Duke, Susan Fitzgerald, Nelson Minar
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This travel guide also includes text from Wikipedia articles, all available at
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