Life on an island.

A  location. A  destination. A  state of mind.
Where the ambiance and the unique flora and fauna inspire and delight
the mind, body and spirit. Accept this invitation to wander the path of
Australia's southern most island state.

View my photo album here.

I love her, I miss her. She is my home.

Tasmania, Often referred to by Tasmanians as "Tassie", abounds in areas of great beauty and cultural value. Named "Van Diemans Land" by Dutch explorer Abel Tasman in 1642. Visited by English explorer Captain Furneaux in 1773 later by Admiral D'Entrecasteaux in 1793. Settled by the British as a penal colony in 1803. Convict transportation stopped in 1853 and in 1855 the name was changed to Tasmania.

Separated from the mainland of Australia by the Bass Strait, Tasmania is one of the worlds last temperate wildernesses. A large proportion of the state is National Park land and is protected. Tasmania has diverse and spectacular scenery, unspoiled wilderness, and the largest tract of temperate rainforest in the world. Approximately 25% of the state is National Park and many of these areas have World Heritage status. 1.8 million hectares have been set aside as a World Heritage Area - listed along side the Grand Canyon in the United States, Mount Everest in Nepal, and the Great Barrier Reef in Australia.

Tasmania is a mountainous island and some of the most beautiful parts of the state are where the rugged coast meets the lush temperate rainforest with a backdrop of steep mountains. Possibly the most scenic mountain area in Tasmania is the Cradle Mountain - Lake Sinclair National Park.

The East coast is less mountainous, the climate is warmer and here you will find some beautiful beaches such as the Freycenet National Park.

Further to the south is Hobart, Tasmania's capital city, on the Derwent river with the backdrop of Mt Wellington (which rises to an elevation of 1271 metres above the city). Hobart is the second oldest city in Australia behind Sydney. It is the largest city in the state. First settled in 1804, the early population consisted largely of convicts. Hobart's early life revolved very much around the waterfront.

The second largest city is Launceston, in the north on the banks of the Tamar River. Other cities in Tasmania are Devonport and Burnie, both in the north-west of the state.

Tasmania's North-West Coast

Tasmania's north-west coast is one of the state's most prosperous farming areas and a popular tourist destination. The rich, volcanic soil is ideal for the major agricultural activities - vegetable growing ,prime beef and dairy cattle. The major regional centres are Devonport and Burnie. The north-west certainly isn't without its share of natural attractions. Boat Harbour Beach is popular with surfers, and the Nut at Stanley, a distinctive geological feature (an extinct volcano), is a popular stop for tourists and Tasmanians alike.

Tasmanian Flora and Fauna

In the rainforests of Tasmania, you will find giant trees, some of which are believed to be the oldest living things. Since Tasmania was separated from mainland Australia this allowed native plants and animals to flourish. Many parts of the Tasmanian wilderness are so inaccessible they have hardly been explored by man. Tasmania's separation from the mainland, diverse landscape and temperate climate has resulted in many species of plant and wildlife prospering in the state. Tasmania has one of the largest collection of marsupials in Australia, and over a dozen species of bird are native to the state. Many of these species are only found in Tasmania, undoubtedly the most famous animal in Tasmania is the Tasmanian Devil, named by early European settlers because of its eerie nocturnal growl. The Tasmanian Tiger was the largest carnivorous Tasmanian marsupial, but is commonly believed to be extinct. The Tasmanian Coat of Arms, which was granted in 1917, is supported by two Tasmanian tigers.

Links to other information about Tassie

To see some of my own photos of Tasmania, click here. 

The Interactive Tour of Tasmania Take a virtual tour of the beautiful island state of Tasmania.

Welcome to Devonport Where I was born and raised. This site is not ready yet, and it wont be until Aidan stops playing with his e-mail and gets to work on it. *grin*

Tasmania Online - About Tasmania Events database, Tasmanian web site listings etc.

Port Arthur Historic Site Take a trip to where the convicts were kept.

Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Visitors Guide. A guide to World
Heritage Areas, National Parks and Reserves Discover our unique animals, plants and geo-heritage and a whole lot more.

National Trust of Australia (Tasmania) The National Trust properties illustrated are an integral part of Tasmania's unique heritage. They are maintained by the National Trust for your inspection and enjoyment. Take the time to visit these properties and experience Tasmania's historic past first hand.

Focus on Tasmania - The complete traveler's guide to Tasmania Focus on Tasmania is an electronic travel book about Tasmania, Australia. It provides you with everything you need to know to make your visit to this wonderful place a worthwhile one. This is a really nice site.

Tasmanian Travelways A great source of information for anyone who wishes to travel in Tasmania. An online version of the magazine of the same name.

Tasmania and its geographical place in the world. There are some really good pictures at this site and various information.

Accent on Tasmania Australia Good site to check out if you plan a visit to Tassie.