Tasmania

Tasmania is the smallest of the Australian states. It is an island 240km from the mainland and surrounded by the turbulent Bass Strait, Southern Ocean and Tasman Sea. Its compactness makes it an ideal touring destination, as only relatively short distances separate its many attractions. Tasmania is a land of diversity with beaches encircling its coastline, while national parks and reserves protect its spectacular landmass, which features more than 2000km of world-class walking tracks.

This is the most mountainous Australian state, as well it has the highest percentage of national parks, comprising about one-third of the island. Tasmania boasts stunning and often remote World Heritage Areas. There are fertile plains and open bushland, mountains and valleys, rare flora and fauna, rustic ports and historic villages all crammed into a comparatively small area.

Of all the Australian states, Tasmania has the smallest population and the lowest immigration rate. As a result, its society is not as multicultural as other states. The small Aboriginal population is actively involved in maintaining its cultural identity through language and land management projects.

Unlike most of Australia, Tasmania enjoys 4 distinct seasons, which are a perfect complement to the other attractions of the state. Magnificent scenery is provided on both the Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair NP walks and the cruise on the Gordon River in the south-west. Historic villages that have hardly changed since the 1800s together with convict-built bridges and old gaols are reminders of colonial days. The wide variety of attractions make the smallest state the perfect holiday destination deserving of the epithet 'The Holiday Isle'.

Travel to Tasmania, Australia and visit the: East Coast, Huon Valley and Bruny Island, Midlands, Derwent Valley and Central Highlands, Launceston and Tamar Valley, West Coast, King Island, South East, Flinders Island, North West, North East, Hobart, Central North and Cradle Mountain.