Guest Author - Tania Nadarajan

Tasmania embodies what it is to be down under, sitting almost at the end of the earth. It is the southernmost state of Australia, lying 240km south of the mainland state. A beautiful island state, Tasmania rests separated from the mainland by the Bass Strait and bathed by the blueness of the Southern Ocean.

At 68 300km2 in size, it is Australia’s smallest state. The total population is about 487 000. Hobart is Tasmania’s capital city and is the least populated of all capital cities, with a small population of about 200 000, compared to about 3 million in Sydney. Launceston is the second biggest city in Tasmania, with a population of about 98 500.

Tasmania is most memorable for its natural unspoiled beauty and varied landscape. It is one of the very few places left in the world that offers so much in terms of pure, untainted natural splendour.

In fact, its immaculate natural environment is internationally recognised as one of Earth’s greatest treasure. 30% of Tasmania is classified as World Heritage Areas. This is impressive considering that the status is only conferred to natural landscapes that are “outstanding examples” of the world’s natural geological processes. To have almost a third of Tasmania home to natural wonders of the world makes it an otherworldly experience for tourists. Lake Pedder, Cradle Mountain, Lake St Clair, the Gordon and Franklin Rivers are all considered breathtaking icons of Tasmania and a must see for visitors.

In Tasmania, it is easy to be steeped in nature with the 2000km of walking tracks and 18 national parks available. The green pristine environment is further complemented by the 68 golf courses (more per capita than any other state) that populate Tasmania.

Tasmania is indeed typical of an island lifestyle, surrounded by sparkling blue waters, peaceful wilderness, an uncluttered horizon to gaze out to, fresh clean air and relaxed, friendly people. Interestingly, the air and rainwater is deemed to be so clean and pure that it was shipped to Australian Olympic Athletes competing overseas.

The serenity of Tasmania is starkly compared to its dark penal history. Tasmania was established as a convict settlement, for the sole purpose of housing the hardest of criminals from UK. That sinister and ghostly past is to a degree overtaken by Tasmania’s overwhelming natural tranquillity and to another, transformed into a major tourist attraction. Port Arthur, built out of convict labour for convicts is considered Australia’s top heritage area – a gruesome yet alluring reminder of Tasmania’s past.

Tasmania is the most physically isolated of places, which has helped preserve its natural icons and its inviting, intriguing aura. Seclusion has also prompted Tasmania to rely on itself, spurring an inward development of its own resources to come up with a string of innovative world first. Some noteworthy advances are its first automatic record changer, first automatic key cutter, first humidicrib and first Elliottdale sheep producing tough carpet grade wool.

The best time to visit Tasmania is in the Spring and Autumn seasons, where nature is presented at its most splendid. Tasmania has a temperate maritime climate. In Summer, the days are long, with as much as 15 hours of daylight. In Winter, the reverse is true and the shortest day has only 9 hours of daylight. Hobart is also the nation’s second driest capital city, after Adelaide, with only 24 inches of rainfall. But regardless of when you choose to visit, Tasmania will not disappoint with its scenery and beauty.