 
Tasmania
is Australia’s only island state and it is less than
one per cent of the land surface of Australia.
With a population of 453,000 concentrated mainly
on the north and south coasts, and a size of 67,800
square kilometres, Tasmania’s isolation has helped
preserve its rich colonial heritage and ensured that
most of the state’s wilderness areas have remained
relatively unspoiled.
And with no town or city being more than 115
kilometres from the sea, Tasmania’s varied landscape
is unrestrained by size.
The
capital city Hobart, is Australia’s second oldest
capital city and is also the smallest and most
southerly.
Straddling the mouth of the Derwent River and
backed by mountains which offer views over the city,
Hobart has managed to combine the progress and the
benefits of a modern city with the rich heritage of its
colonial past. The beautiful Georgian buildings, the
bush harbour and the easy going atmosphere all make
Hobart an enjoyable and engaging city.
Tasmania’s
east coast is boarded by white beaches, sheltered bays
and spectacular headlands edged by crystal blue waters.
By contrast, the south west and west coasts are
amazingly wild and untamed and virtually untouched.
Raging seas and high rainfall batter the length
of the coast for much of the year, however despite
it’s moody reputation, the west coast has its peaceful
moments.
Tasmania’s
midland regions from “The Land of a Thousand Lakes”
in the western ranges, and the valleys, plains and
country villages in these green central highlands are
serenely beautiful.
The
forests and mountains of Tasmania’s west and south
west form one of the world’s last great wilderness
areas, almost all of it made up of national parks, many
of which have been listed as World Heritage regions.
|
