TASMANIA

The smallest state, the southernmost state and the island state: Tasmania is unique. Originally called Van Diemen's Land by the Dutch and later named after the Dutch explorer Abel Tasman who had "discovered" it in 1642, the island had, through its isolation, a unique population; however, in 1803 it became a convict colony, settlers took over the land and hunted down and killed most of the Aborigines. The last surviving full-blooded Tasmanian Aborigine died in 1876, one of the many tragedies of Australia. The island has a temperate climate; sometimes called the "Apple Isle" it is well suited for agriculture and there are large farms. There is also great hiking, there are mountains to explore, beautiful beaches and one of the last examples of rain forest, now a protected World Heritage Area, in the Gordon River region, in the south west of the state. And there is Port Arthur, a grim reminder of the convict days, a penal settlement from 1830 to 1877. Tasmania is a truly special place.

Hobart Tasmania's state capital and the second oldest city in Australia behind Sydney. It is the largest city in the state, the population of the Greater Hobart area being approximately 190,000. First settled in 1804, the early population consisted largely of convicts.

Henty Dunes, on the lonely north west coast of Tasmania.

Rocky Cape, on the rugged north coast of Tasmania, between the towns of Stanley and Wynyard.

Binalong Point near St. Mary's, on the north east coast of Tasmania