Tasmania

• Macquarie Island is a Subantarctic island around 1,500 km (930 mi) south-southeast of Tasmania. While it's administered as part of the Huon Valley, it's geologically, physically, and ecologically closer to many other Subantarctic islands, particularly the New Zealand Subantarctic Islands.

Tasmania has been inhabited by humans for approximately 60,000 years. Between around 6,000 BCE, sea levels rose and Aboriginal Tasmanians were entirely isolated from the rest of the human race, until the first contact with Europeans in 1777.

The first reported sighting of Tasmania by a European was on 24 November 1642 by the Dutch explorer Abel Tasman. Captain James Cook landed at Adventure Bay in 1777. Matthew Flinders and George Bass first proved Tasmania to be an island in 1798–99.

The first European settling of Tasmania was by the British at Risdon Cove on the eastern bank of the Derwent estuary in 1804. Penal settlements were established at Sullivans Cove (Hobart), Maria Island, Sarah Island, and Port Arthur. The colony changed its name from "Van Diemen's Land" to "Tasmania" in 1856. The Colony of Tasmania existed from 1856 until 1901, when it federated with the five other Australian colonies to form the Commonwealth of Australia.

Located in the Southern Ocean separated from mainland Australia by the Bass Strait and from New Zealand by the Tasman Sea, Tasmania is Australia's smallest state, with an area of 68,400 km² (26,410 square miles). It is comparable in size to the Canadian province of New Brunswick or the country of Ireland. It's within the range of the notorious "Roaring Forties" winds that encircle the globe.

Tasmania's population is focused in the southeast and north in the regions around the cities of Hobart, Launceston, Burnie and Devonport.

The Midlands (the area between Hobart and Launceston) is the driest region of Tasmania and is primarily used for cattle and sheep grazing. The Huon Valley and the area between Launceston and Burnie is used for both agriculture and horticulture. The Central Highlands, the West Coast and the Southwest Wilderness are all mountainous forested areas, a majority of which are protected inside national parks.

Tasmania is very mountainous: while its tallest mountain, Mount Ossa, at 1,617 m (5,305 ft) is not that high compared to global standards, the mountains are what characterise Tasmania. Much of Tasmania is densely forested, with Southwest National Park and neighbouring areas home to some of the last pristine temperate rainforests in the Southern Hemisphere.

Tasmania is one of the six founding members of the Commonwealth of Australia. It is separated into 29 smaller local government areas.

Like all other states except for Queensland, Tasmania has a bicameral parliament; the Parliament of Tasmania consists of the Legislative Council (upper house) and the House of Assembly (lower house). In state elections, there are 5 electorates, each consisting of 7 members each (as of March 2024).

There are four influential political parties in Tasmania. The Tasmanian Liberal Party is the state's centre-right party and is a division of the Liberal Party at the federal division. Tasmanian Labor is a centrist/centre-left party and a branch of the Australian Labor Party, of which it shares many similar values. The Tasmanian Greens, a branch of the Australian Greens, is a minor party, is a left-wing environmentalist party and is considered to be the successor of the United Tasmania Party, the world's first Green party; this was the first time where an environmentalist party had some success in politics. The Jacqui Lambie Network (JLN) is another minor but populist/right-wing party with a strong regional focus on Tasmania and Tasmanians.

Tasmania typically has more rainy days than anywhere else in Australia, with "four seasons in a day" being often the norm. The southwest and West Coast in particular receive a great amount of rainfall - so much of it that it is considered uninhabitable. Both cold waves from Antarctica and heatwaves from the mainland can reach the island anytime. The sea temperature is rather low throughout the year, even in the north.

Tasmania has a cool temperate climate, comparable with that of northern Europe and/or Vancouver in British Columbia, Canada, with the following seasons:

• Spring from September to November, with frequent snowfalls at higher elevations.
• Summer from December to February. It has about 15 hours of daylight from 5:30AM to 8:30–9:30PM.
• Autumn from March to May. Changeable weather.
• Winter from June to August. High areas receive a good amount of snowfall. It has the least daylight with about 9 hours a day from 8AM to 4:30PM, but sometimes even earlier, especially in the Huon and Far South.

Tasmania's main industries are mining (including copper, zinc, tin, and iron), forestry, agriculture, fresh produce (fruit & vegetables, dairy, seafood, beer and wine), and tourism. The economy is affected by the Bass Strait, and how the freight and transport issues of goods into and out of the island are costed and subsidised, at times there are more Tasmanian-born people in Melbourne, than there are in Tasmania, due to the nature of the Tasmanian job market.

National public holidays can be found in the main Australia article.

Statewide public holidays

• 8-Hour Day (Labor Day): Second Monday of March (Eight Hours Day)
• Recreation Day: First Monday in November (Except areas that observe Royal Hobart Regatta)

Regional public holidays These apply to smaller areas of Tasmania:

• Wednesday not earlier than fifth and not later than eleventh day of January: Devonport Cup (Devonport only)
• Last Wednesday of February: Launceston Cup (Launceston and surrounds)
• Second Monday of February: Royal Regatta Day (Southern Tasmania only)
• First Tuesday of March: King Island Show (King Island only)
• The Friday nearest the last day of November: AGFEST (Circular Head only)
• The Friday before the first Saturday of October: Burnie Show (Burnie, Waratah-Wynyard and West Coast)
• Thursday before the second Saturday of October: Royal Launceston Show (Launceston and surrounds)
• The Friday before the third Saturday of October: Flinders Island Show (Flinders Island only)
• The Friday before the third Saturday of October: Royal Hobart Show (Southern Tasmania only)
• The Friday nearest the last day of November: Devonport Show (Devonport, Kentish and Latrobe only)

Tasmania follows the same time zone as New South Wales, Victoria and the Australian Capital Territory: Australian Eastern Standard Time (UTC+10). Like the two southeastern states, Tasmania also observes daylight savings and follows the Australian Eastern Daylight Saving Time (UTC+11) between the first Sunday of October and April.

• Disvover Tasmania website

There are no international scheduled flights to Tasmania, except seasonal flights from New Zealand. All other flights must come through mainland cities. There are seasonal flights over Antarctica.

• Flights to Hobart from Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, and the Gold Coast as well as Auckland.
• Flights to Launceston from Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.
• Flights to Burnie and Devonport from Melbourne.
• Flights to King Island and Flinders Island from Melbourne.

See the local guides for more information.

There is only one ferry route, which are the two Spirit of Tasmania Ferries from the Spirit of Tasmania terminal in Geelong and arrive at Devonport. See the Devonport article for the details of the ferry. It takes a full night (or the full day during peak summer periods) for the crossing and takes vehicles, bikes, foot passengers and pets.

The crossing can be a little choppy at times, but provides beautiful sunsets and costs around $200–300 each way (excluding the cost bringing a vehicle). You have the option of booking one of a range of a cabins or a reclining chair for the journey.

Crossings can also be part of cruise ship itineraries.

Rental car companies usually do not allow you to take their vehicles into or out of Tasmania on the ferry. If you have rented a car on the mainland and need one in Tasmania, it's best to drop the car off in Geelong, Victoria; rental cars are available at the Devonport terminal.

Tasmania is perhaps Australia's most car-centric state: driving is not just the most convenient way to get around, but it is also the most practical. Cars can be brought into Tasmania from Geelong on the Spirit of Tasmania ferry, or hired upon arrival through the major operators typically found on the mainland. Car rentals typically do not permit taking the car on the ferry crossing. Car rentals also generally prohibit driving on unsealed roads, which are very common in Tasmania.

Tasmania's speed limits are more liberal than the three states on the mainland's East Coast. By default, the maximum urban limit is 50 km/h, 80 km/h on gravel roads and 100 km/h on rural roads. However, on most rural roads, the government has practically adopted a "drive to conditions approach" by setting a 100 km/h limit on even the most windiest of roads with few to no slow or overtaking lanes. In practice, if you're new to the area, you may struggle to even travel 80 km/h on these roads, but the limit is for those who are experienced with such road conditions. Remember, if you are not comfortable driving 100 km/h on "100 km/h changing road conditions" roads, you do not have to drive 100 km/h. You may also encounter 110 km/h limits on the Midland, Bass and Tasman Highways.

Tasmania has four main road classifications: National Highway, A-routes, B-routes, and C-routes. The only national highway is Tasmanian National Highway 1 comprising of the Brooker, Midland and Bass Highways between Hobart and Burnie. A-routes (numbered between 2 and 10) connect major regional centres, B-routes (numbered between 10 and 85, in addition to 110) connect minor towns to major regional centres or highways, while C-routes (numbered between 101 and 854) are smaller roads that typically connect B-routes to an even smaller destination. A route number does not necessarily reflect the road quality: until 2019, the A5 (Lake Highway) through the Highland Lakes was unsealed, and other A-routes such as the A3 are more windier than many B-routes in the north.

Many major roads, even A-routes, wind their way through mountain passes and along coastlines, narrow and with few overtaking lanes, and some sections of remote roads may be in need of repair. Direct roads on the maps may take longer than you think. Take care on some of the winding or secondary roads, since some ute drivers and locals may try to overtake on dangerous stretches of road or tailgate you if you aren't travelling fast enough. Some local drivers, especially in suburban and semi-open areas (e.g. Bass Highway), will also tailgate and attempt dangerous manoeuvres to pass or overtake you, especially if they see you are driving a hire car.

Be especially careful driving between dusk and dawn as this is when the wildlife is most active: keep on the lookout for wallabies, devils, possums and others. Tasmania has the unfortunate distinction of being the roadkill capital of the world. Wallabies and wombats can make a mess of your vehicle if hit. The Tasmanian government generally advises you drive 65 km/h between dusk and dawn and 45 km/h in some places like the Tasman Peninsula (Tasman Island).

Exploring the forests can often lead to a maze of forest roads. A GPS can come in handy for finding your way out, although they are not always up to date.

Buses can be an option if time is on your side, but otherwise isn't a feasible way of getting around. Planning is advised since services can be infrequent. Redline Tasmania and Tassielink are the main long distance bus companies, with population centres serviced by Metro Tasmania for Burnie, Hobart and Launceston and Merseylink that provide services to Devonport and Latrobe. If you are not in a major town (e.g. Hobart, Launceston) bus services can be infrequent, expensive and hard to rely on. Make sure you have a copy of the timetable with you.

• Redline Tasmania destinations include:
  • Derby, Scottsdale and Bridport (to and from Launceston)
  • Low Head and George Town (to and from Launceston)
  • Dodges Ferry and Sorell
• Tassielink bus lines include:
  • Coles Bay, Bicheno and Swansea (to Hobart)
  • Hobart to Huon Valley (via Kingston, Ranelagh, Cygnet, Geeveston, Dover)
  • Hobart to Campania (via Cambridge and Richmond)
  • Dunalley, Tasman Peninsula, Eaglehawk Neck, Port Arthur, Nubeena
  • Launceston to Cressy (via Evandale, Perth, Longford)
  • Strahan to Burnie (via Queenstown)
• Metro Tasmania connects different suburbs in Burnie, Hobart and Launceston.
• Merseylink routes are:
  • Route 170, 171: West & North Devonport
  • Route 172, 173, 174: South Devonport & Miandetta
  • Route 175: East Devonport
  • Route 176: Ambleside
  • Route 178: Latrobe (via Tarleton & Spreyton)
  • Route 180, 182: Ulverstone to West Ulverstone & Devonport
  • Route 183: Port Sorell (via Hawley & Shearwater)
  • Route 184: Devonport-Sheffield via Railton
  • Route 708: North West Express

Transport Tasmania, a government-run bus service, has infrequent buses to Queenstown, Strahan, Burnie, Coles Bay, St Helens, and other towns.

There are no public train services. The many railways seen crossing minor roads are used for freight only. The only passenger railways in Tasmania are heritage services that use vintage equipment. The West Coast Wilderness Railway, a tourist train which runs between Strahan and Queenstown on the West Coast, is perhaps the best known, passing through some incredibly scenic areas. The trip takes about 3 hours with lunch included (very slow compared to the 30-minute car journey).

• Par Avion offer scenic flights across the state and services into Melaleuca in Southwest National Park.
• Airlines of Tasmania offer flights between Launceston and Cape Barren Island.
• Sharp Airlines offer flights to Flinders Island from Launceston and flights to King Island from Launceston and Burnie.

Bicycle touring is a popular way to see cities Tasmania, but driving on rural roads can be very dangerous. Bicycle rental companies can be found in major cities and towns.

See also: Australasian wildlife

If you spend any time in the bush you are very likely to see:

• Kangaroos, wallabies, and pademelons are everywhere throughout Tasmania.
• Wombats can be found in many national parks and mostly come out at night.
• Ringtail and brushtail possums only come out at night.

Less common wildlife include:

• Echidnas are rarely seen in the bush. They're more easily spotted when crossing roads.
• Bandicoots and Potoroos are at the small end of the jumping marsupial scale.
• Platypus are very elusive. If you are persistent and very quiet and still you may find one rummaging at the bottom of a creek.
• Eastern and Spotted-tail Quolls very rarely seen.
• Tasmanian devils are rarely seen in the wild. They can sometimes be spotted along roadsides eating roadkill at night and sometimes on the edge of rural towns.

See also: Tasmanian national parks

• kunanyi / Mount Wellington is a large mountain that rises above Tasmania's capital city. Visitors can drive to the top, where a viewing lookout is located, and well maintained walking tracks are located in the foothills. A coffee van operates at the Springs, a picnic area mid way up the mountain.

• Bay of Fires is one of Tasmania's most popular tourist destinations, located between Eddystone Point and Binalong Bay. Bay of Fires has beautiful blue water, red rocks, and sandy white beaches. Enter through Binalong Bay which is 10 minutes from St Helens. This area offers a wide range of activities including camping, boating, bird watching, fishing, swimming, surfing, and walking along the coastline.
• Cataract Gorge is a unique, natural formation within a two-minute drive from central Launceston known to locals as The Gorge. After walking 15 minutes from central Launceston along Tamar River into Gorge, you then follow the pathway along the cliff face looking down onto South Esk River. On the southern side, called the First Basin, there is a cafe, swimming pool, and Launceston's beach. The northern side, known as the Cliff Grounds, there is a kiosk, restaurants, swimming pool, and a chairlift across the river. The Cataract Gorge Reserve is one of Australia's most fascinating urban parks.
• Hastings Caves include Newdegate Cave, the largest cave in Australia open to tourists. Tour magical chambers of flowstones and shawls, then relax in a thermal pool. Formations in the cave are spectacular and include flowstone, stalactites, columns, shawls, straws, stalagmites and the unusual helictites tendrils of calcite that grow in all directions in tiny filaments.
• Mole Creek Karst Tasmania's only national park featuring caves. Among many features are the King Solomon and Marakoopa Caves, both of which can be viewed with Tasmania Park Service guides leading you. The two caves are distinctly different and a separate entry ticket is required for each. Tour times are staggered throughout the day.

Five world heritage listed convict sites are located in Tasmania, in the northeast and south of the island. The best known is likely Port Arthur.

• Port Arthur is the best preserved convict site in Australia. Many years ago, this site played a key role in the colonial system of convict discipline. During your experience, you will have the chance to take guided tours of the Commandant's House, Parsonage, Trentham Cottage, Junior Medical Officer's quarters, historic buildings and ruins of the Penitentiary, Barracks, Guard Tower and military precinct, Hospital, Paupers' Depot and Asylum. Port Arthur is surrounded by beautiful bushland and trails available to explore the land around you.
• Ross is another convict town, but is not listed as a world-heritage site. It's known for its convict-built bridge and its old female factory, both of which are popular stopover destinations for those travelling on the Midland Highway between Hobart and Launceston.
• Salamanca Place in Sullivans Cove, is Hobart's favourite hang out. Salamanca is lined with a long row of sandstone buildings built in the 1830s. You can wander under the heavy stone arches to find craft and design shops, jewellers, coffee shops, restaurants, bookshops, fashion boutiques, and the Salamanca Arts Centre and artists’ galleries. Every Saturday there’s the Salamanca Market, where you can buy anything from a handmade wooden toy or a hand-spun, hand-knitted sweater to fresh fruit and vegetables or a 50-year-old china plate.
• The Nut is located at the historic village of Stanley, in far north-west Tasmania. The Nut, a sheer-sided bluff is all that remains of an ancient volcanic plug. A walking track climbs to the summit of The Nut, or you can take the chairlift, with spectacular views across Bass Strait beaches and over the town. There is accommodation and an excellent campground in Stanley, and the town is a good base for exploring the forests and coastlines further west.

See also: Hiking and bushwalking in Australia#Tasmania, Tasmanian national parks#Hiking

No trip to Tasmania is complete without hiking. While many of the state's important natural attractions have since been linked by road, many photogenic locations still require you to hike or walk the very least, even if it's just for a few hundred metres (which wouldn't be considered hiking by most Australian standards).

Contrary to the mainland, the vegetation seen on hikes is starkly different – and the temperate forests here tend to be more well-preserved. Conservation laws in Tasmania are stronger, so you may not find anything more than a boardwalk in some remote trails.

If long-distance hiking isn't your gist, the Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service has created the 60 Great Short Walks. See Hiking and bushwalking in Australia § Tasmania for more about trails, and Tasmanian national parks § Hiking about the grading system.

On some trails, you must register before you hike. In many cases, this can as simple as writing your name and phone number on a book inside a mountain hut, but the entire purpose of this is for the Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service to ensure that you come home safely. Weather can rapidly change and it's easy to become stranded in the Tasmanian Wilderness. It is better to be safe than sorry.

Popular trails and/or trails that Wikivoyage has an article on:

• Overland Track: the iconic bushwalk from Cradle Mountain to Lake St Clair. Bookings are essential during the main walking season (November to April).
• South Coast Track: the bushwalk along the south coast of Tasmania, from Melaleuca, to Cockle Creek. Fly in by aircraft and take a 6-day walk back home.
• Three Falls Circuit: a 7.5-km hike covering three impressive waterfalls in Mount Field National Park

Bushwalking can be a truly breathtaking experience in Tasmania, but be sure to obtain the right gear, local advice and maps. Always sign the logbook at the beginning and end of each walk. Mobile coverage is limited in wilderness areas. The main dangers of bushwalking are getting lost and/or suffering from hypothermia. Tasmania's weather is notoriously changeable. Be sure to take a good raincoat and warm clothes with you even on a sunny day because an hour or two later it could be pouring with rain. If undertaking more serious bushwalking a map and compass is a must, as is a good sleeping bag and tent for multi-day walks.

Mosquitoes are present all year round. There are no mosquito-born viruses. A good repellent is advisable if going into the bush.

There are three species of snake in Tasmania: copperhead, white-lipped, and tiger. The tiger snake is one of the most venomous snakes in the world, but don't let that deter you. No one has died from a snake bite in Tasmania since 1977. All three use the same anti-venom so identification of the snake is not important. Most snakes will slither away as soon as they hear you coming.

While in wilderness areas the water may be good to drink, but it is still highly recommended that you boil before consumption. If in touristy areas, such as The Overland Track, always boil your water or risk gastro.

During the Tasmanian bushfire season, which runs from roughly October to March, be vigilant and keep aware of local news. Bushfires can start and spread rapidly, even in urban areas. Many Tasmanian towns have just one exit, so it is worth planning ahead - even if a bushfire is hours away, it may be too late to leave if you wait.

In times of high fire danger, it may be worth reconsidering any activities that take you too deep into the bush. Check the Bureau of Meteorology website to assess the fire rating before going. The Tasmanian Fire Service provides an incidents list on its website, but this may be several hours out of date at times. ABC Local Radio (936 AM in Southern Tasmania, and a variety of frequencies in Northern Tasmania) is often the most up to date with emergency information, and can also be accessed online or on your phone.