Tasmania
Tasmania is the southernmost state of Australia. It is located approximately 150 miles from Australia’s mainland. There are many attractions, tours, and things to see all over the island. There are five major territories in Tasmania. Hobart is Australia’s capital city and is located on the Southeastern part of the island. Launceston, Tamar, and The North are in the North Central part of the Island. There is also the West Coast, North West Coast, and the Western wilderness.
If you happen to be in Hobart on a Saturday, you could stop in at the Salamanca market which is highly regarded for its’ food, culture, and art. Several artisans, food, and clothing vendors gather at the Salamanca market. You could also visit MONA (Museum of Old and New Art), which has exhibits including antiques, Egyptian mummies, and contemporary art. On the West coast, you can visit the island of Maria, a national park that is completely free of vehicles. When visiting Launceston, Tamar, and the North you can head over to J. Boag and Son Brewery for a tour of some of the best beer in the area. You could also visit one of the many lavender plantations in the area. If you happen to visit the North West Coast you should definitely stop by Latrobe where you can watch truffles being hand-rolled. If you find yourself in the Western Wilderness of Tasmania you should be sure to stop by the West Coast Pioneers Memorial Museum that holds photo’s dedicated to the West Coast miners.
There is plenty to see and do all over Tasmania, and what is listed here are only a few of the many destinations offered. Finding a location that offers so many attractions in such close proximity is very exciting and unusual.
Tasmania | |
Coordinates | 42°S 147°E |
Capital city | Hobart |
Demonym | Tasmanian, Taswegian (colloquial) |
Government | Constitutional monarchy |
Governor | Peter Underwood |
Premier | Lara Giddings (ALP) |
Australian State | |
Established as Van Diemen's Land | 1825 |
Responsible government as Tasmania | 1856 |
Became state | 1901 |
Australia Act | 3 March 1986 |
Area | |
Total | 90,758 km² 35,042 sq mi |
Land | 68,401 km² 26,410 sq mi |
Water | 22,357 km² (24.63%) 8,632 sq mi |
Population (End of March 2012) | |
Population | 512,000 |
Density | 7.24/km² 18.8 /sq mi |
Elevation | |
Highest point | Mount Ossa 1,617 m (5,305 ft) |
Zipcodes | |
Postcode Range | 7000—7799, 7800—7999 (LVRs and PO Boxes only) |
Gross State Product (2009–10) | |
Product ($m) | $22,341 |
Product per capita | $44,011 |
Time zone(s) | UTC+10 (AEST), UTC+11 (AEDT) |
Federal Representation | |
House seats | 5/150 |
Senate seats | 12/76 |
Abbreviations | |
Postal | TAS |
ISO 3166-2 | AU-TAS |
Emblems | |
Floral | Tasmanian Blue Gum (Eucalyptus globulus) |
Animal | Tasmanian devil (unofficial) (Sarcophilus harrisii) |
Bird | Yellow Wattlebird (unofficial) (Anthochaera paradoxa) |
Mineral or Gemstone | Crocoite (PbCrO4) |
Colours | Dark green, red & gold |
Website | www.tas.gov.au |