Tasmania

Tasmania is an island state of Australia, lying 240 kilometres (150 miles) south of the Australian mainland, separated by the Bass Strait. It includes the main island of Tasmania, the 26th-largest island in the world, along with around 1,000 smaller nearby islands. As of June 2023, it is Australia's smallest and least populated state, home to 573,479 people. The capital and largest city is Hobart, where about 40% of the state's residents live.

The island was first home to Aboriginal peoples, known today as Palawa or Pakana, who became isolated from mainland groups around 11,700 years ago when rising sea levels created the Bass Strait. In 1803, Europeans settled Tasmania as a penal colony for the British Empire, later named Van Diemen's Land. It became a separate colony in 1825 and was renamed Tasmania in 1856, joining the federation of Australia in 1901.

Today, Tasmania's economy relies on tourism, farming, fishing, education, and healthcare. The island is well known for its natural beauty, with about 42% of its land protected as parks and reserves, including many World Heritage Sites. It was also home to the world's first environmental political party.

Toponymy

Tasmania is named after Dutch explorer Abel Tasman, who first saw the island in 1642. He called it Anthony van Diemen's Land for his sponsor. The British later shorten this to Van Diemen's Land. In 1856, the name was changed to "Tasmania" to honor Abel Tasman.

The island is also called "Tassie" by locals. In the made-up palawa kani language, the main island is named "Lutruwita". This name comes from old words used by people who lived there long ago.

Some places in Tasmania have special names from these old languages, like Mount Wellington being called "Kunanyi". Others have just the old names, like the area around the Bay of Fires.

History

Main article: History of Tasmania

Tasmania, also known as Lutruwita in the Palawa Kani language, has a rich history. The island was connected to mainland Australia until about 11,700 years ago, when rising sea levels separated it, forming the Bass Strait.

The first known people to live on Tasmania were Aboriginal people, arriving around 42,000 years ago. By the time Europeans arrived, Tasmania was home to nine different groups. They lived by hunting, fishing, and gathering food, and had their own languages and traditions.

Europeans first saw Tasmania in 1642, when Dutch explorer Abel Tasman landed at what is now Blackman Bay. Over the next centuries, more Europeans arrived, including French and British explorers. In 1803, a small British settlement was established at Risdon on the Derwent River. This grew into the city of Hobart. More settlements followed, and Tasmania became a place where many convicts were sent from Britain.

In the 1800s, tensions rose between the Aboriginal people and the new settlers, leading to conflicts known as the Black War. By the 1830s, most Aboriginal people had been moved to Flinders Island, where many died from diseases they had never encountered before.

Tasmania became its own colony in 1825, separate from New South Wales. It was renamed Tasmania in 1856. Over time, it developed into a prosperous region, known for its shipbuilding and farming. In 1901, Tasmania joined other Australian colonies to form the Commonwealth of Australia.

In the 20th century, Tasmania saw many changes. It was an early adopter of electric street lighting and became a center for hydroelectric power. The state also faced environmental challenges, such as the flooding of Lake Pedder and protests against the building of the Franklin Dam.

Tasmania has continued to grow and change, becoming known for its natural beauty, tourism, and cultural landmarks like the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) in Hobart.

Geography

Main article: Geography of Tasmania

Tasmania is the largest island of Australia, covering 68,401 km² (26,410 sq mi). It lies directly in the path of strong winds called the "Roaring Forties" that circle the globe. To its north, it is separated from mainland Australia by the Bass Strait. Tasmania is the only Australian state not located on the mainland. About 2,500 kilometres south of Tasmania lies the George V Coast of Antarctica. Depending on ocean borders, Tasmania is either surrounded by the Southern Ocean or has the Pacific Ocean to its east and the Indian Ocean to its west. Some definitions place the Great Australian Bight to its west and the Tasman Sea to its east. The southernmost point of mainland Tasmania is at South East Cape, and the northernmost point is near Cape Grim / Kennaook at Woolnorth / Temdudheker.

The most mountainous area is the Central Highlands, covering much of the central western part of the state. The Midlands in the central east are flat and mainly used for farming. Tasmania's tallest mountain is Mount Ossa at 1,617 m (5,305 ft). Much of Tasmania is forested, with the Southwest National Park and nearby areas preserving some of the last temperate rainforests in the Southern Hemisphere. The Tarkine in the far northwest contains the largest temperate rainforest in Australia, covering about 3,800 square kilometres (1,500 sq mi). Tasmania has many rivers, some of which are dammed for hydroelectricity. Major population centers are usually around estuaries.

Tasmania is shaped like a downward-facing triangle, often compared to a shield or heart. It includes the main island and at least a thousand smaller islands. The largest nearby islands are Flinders Island in the Furneaux Group, King Island, Cape Barren Island, Bruny Island, Macquarie Island, and Maria Island. Tasmania has many mountain ranges and is mostly covered by dolerite, though the western half is older and more rugged, featuring buttongrass plains, temperate rainforests, and quartzite ranges like Federation Peak and Frenchmans Cap. These mountains create a rain shadow effect, with the western half receiving more rainfall.

The Interim Biogeographic Regionalisation for Australia (IBRA) divides Tasmania into 9 bioregions: Ben Lomond, Furneaux, King, Central Highlands, Northern Midlands, Northern Slopes, Southern Ranges, South East, and West.

Tasmania's environment includes many different biomes. It is the most forested state in Australia, with large areas of temperate rainforest. A special type of moorland called buttongrass plains is found in the west and southwest. Tasmania also has diverse alpine environments, with areas receiving consistent snowfall above ~1,000 metres each year. This creates unique habitats for plants like cypress forests and rare trees such as pencil pine and King Billy pine. The West Coast Range and Mount Field are home to Australia's only winter-deciduous plant, deciduous beech.

Tasmania has many waterfalls, found in small creeks, alpine streams, rapid rivers, or tall mountain massifs. The most famous is Russell Falls in Mount Field, known for its stepped falls totaling 58 metres. Tasmania also has many beaches, with Ocean Beach on the West Coast being the longest at about 40 kilometres. Wineglass Bay in Freycinet National Park is a famous landmark on the east coast.

Tasmania's human environment ranges from urban areas to farms and grazing land. The Midlands is the most cultivated area, with suitable soil but also the driest part of the state.

Tasmania was possibly first detected by Captain Abel Tasman in 1642 when he charted its coast. The next European to enter the area was Captain James Cook in 1770. The strait was later named after George Bass by Matthew Flinders in 1798–99.

Demography

"Tasmanian people" redirects here. For the original inhabitants of Tasmania, see § Aboriginal people, and Aboriginal Tasmanians.

The people of Tasmania share mostly the same backgrounds, with many coming from British families, especially those from England.

Tasmania used to have the highest number of children born per family in Australia, but now it is second highest. Big towns in Tasmania include Hobart, Launceston, Devonport, Burnie, and Ulverstone. Kingston is sometimes counted as part of the larger Hobart area.

Ancestry and immigration

In studies, many people in Tasmania say their family comes from places like England, Ireland, Scotland, and Germany. About one in five people were born in another country, mostly England, New Zealand, and Mainland China.

Language

In 2021, most people in Tasmania, about 86%, speak only English at home. Other languages spoken include Mandarin, Nepali, Punjabi, and Spanish.

Religion

Religious Affiliation (2021)

1. Christianity (38.4%)
2. No Religion (50.0%)
3. Hinduism (1.70%)
4. Buddhism (1.00%)
5. Islam (0.90%)
6. Other/Unspecified (8.00%)

In recent years, more people in Tasmania say they do not follow any religion. In 2021, half of all people said they had no religious beliefs. Christianity is still the most common belief, but fewer people follow it now than before. Other religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam also have small groups of followers.

Government

Main article: Government of Tasmania

Further information: Governors of Tasmania and Parliament of Tasmania

The government of Tasmania follows rules set in a document called its constitution from 1934. Since 1901, Tasmania has been part of Australia, and the country's constitution decides how Tasmania and the national government work together.

Tasmania has its own parliament with two parts: the Legislative Council and the House of Assembly. The Legislative Council has 15 members who serve for six years. The House of Assembly has 35 members who serve up to four years. In the last election in 2025, the Liberal Party won the most seats but did not have a majority, so they continue to govern with support from other groups.

Tasmania also has local governments in 29 areas. These local councils handle things like planning and roads. They get money mostly from taxes and government support. Local elections happen every four years.

The campaign to save Lake Pedder led to the 1972 formation of the United Tasmania Group, the world's first Green party.

Economy

Main article: Economy of Tasmania

Tasmania has many important jobs and industries. In the past, people in Tasmania worked in mining for metals like copper, zinc, tin, and iron. They also farmed, cut down trees, and welcomed visitors as tourists. Today, Tasmania makes food to sell to other places, like salmon, abalone, and crayfish. The state gets its power from electricity, and in the middle of the last century, it built many dams to create this power.

Over time, some old farms that grew apples and pears changed to grow new crops like wine, saffron, pyrethrum, and cherries. Cheaper flights and new ferries help more tourists visit Tasmania now. Many people in Tasmania work for small businesses, and some big companies also have offices there. A lot of people in Tasmania depend on government help for their income, especially older people who have retired. The clean air and beautiful nature make Tasmania a popular place for people to live when they retire.

Science and technology

Tasmania has been a place for learning and discovery for a long time. The original people of Tasmania watched the stars and told stories about the moon and sun. In the 1790s, French explorers visited Tasmania and made important scientific observations, like studying plants and the stars. Tasmania also has one of the oldest science groups in Australia, started in 1843. One town in Tasmania was the first in Australia to have electric street lights, even before a place in New South Wales.

Culture

Literature

Some well-known books by Tasmanian authors are The Museum of Modern Love by Heather Rose, The Narrow Road to the Deep North by Richard Flanagan, and The Alphabet of Light and Dark by Danielle Wood. Children’s books from Tasmania include They Found a Cave by Nan Chauncy and The Museum of Thieves by Lian Tanner. Tasmania is also home to the literary magazine Island magazine, started in 1979.

Visual arts

Tasmania holds a ten-day festival called the Tasmanian Living Artists’ Week for local artists. The island has produced winners of the famous Archibald Prize, such as Jack Carington Smith and Geoffrey Dyer. Photographers like Olegas Truchanas and Peter Dombrovskis are known for their work. The Museum of Old and New Art opened in 2011 and is one of Australia’s largest private museums.

Music and performing arts

Tasmania has many music groups, from the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra to small bands and choirs. The island is home to composers like Constantine Koukias and Maria Grenfell. Tasmanian musicians have made their mark in many genres, including classical, gospel, and metal.

Cinema

Films made in or about Tasmania include Young Einstein, The Tale of Ruby Rose, and The Hunter. The Tasmanian landscape often plays a big role in these movies. The island has a long history of film-making, going back to the silent movie era.

Higher education

The University of Tasmania is a research university that has been around since 1846.

Media

Tasmania has five television stations that create local shows and news.

Sport

Sport is popular in Tasmania. The Tasmanian Tigers cricket team has won several big matches. Tasmanians have also been successful in Australian rules football, with a team joining the Australian Football League in 2028. Other sports like soccer, rugby, tennis, and basketball are also enjoyed on the island.

Cuisine

Tasmanian food includes seafood like crayfish and oysters, as well as special local dishes like scallop pies. The island is known for its wines, beers, and cheeses. Tasmania’s food has won many awards and continues to grow in popularity.

Events

Tasmania holds many yearly events to attract visitors. The famous Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race ends in Hobart and is followed by a food and wine festival. Other events include rally races, farming shows, music festivals, and astronomy events. These celebrations show off Tasmania’s natural beauty and lively culture.

Perception within Australia

Tasmania is seen as a beautiful place with clean air and wildlife. Some people in Australia make jokes about the island, but these are usually light-hearted. As more visitors come to Tasmania, these old ideas are changing.

Transport

Further information: Transport in Australia

Air

Tasmania's main airlines are Jetstar and Virgin Australia, along with Qantas and QantasLink. These airlines fly directly to Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney. The biggest airports are Hobart Airport and Launceston Airport. Smaller airports like Burnie and King Island are served by Rex Airlines, and Devonport has flights to Melbourne with QantasLink. Inside Tasmania, Par Avion offers air travel services.

Antarctica base

Tasmania, especially Hobart, is Australia's main connection to Antarctica. The Australian Antarctic Division is based in Kingston. Hobart is also where the French ship l'Astrolabe starts its trips to the French Southern Territories near Antarctica.

Road

Driving is the most common way to travel in Tasmania. Since the 1980s, many roads have been improved, such as the Hobart Southern Outlet, Launceston Southern Outlet, Bass Highway, and the Huon Highway. Public buses are run by Metro Tasmania, and there are taxis and ride-share services in Hobart. Other companies like Kinetic Tasmania, Tassielink Transit, Manions Coaches, Area Connect, and Calows Coaches provide bus services between towns.

Rail

Main article: Rail transport in Tasmania

Tasmania has narrow-gauge railways that go to populated areas and to places where minerals and wood are taken from, especially on the west and northwest coasts. TasRail runs these trains. Regular passenger trains stopped in 1978, but there are special tourist trains, like the West Coast Wilderness Railway between Queenstown and Strahan. There are plans to bring back commuter trains to Hobart, but this depends on decisions about the Macquarie Point Stadium. The main place for loading and fixing trains is the modern Brighton Transport Hub near Hobart. Other important rail centers are at Burnie and East Tamar Junction. The busiest train service moves cement between Devonport and Railton. Regular heritage train services stopped in 2004 after Pacific National would not let them run anymore.

Shipping

See also: Bass Strait ferries

Hobart's harbor has many boats, both for business and fun. About 120 big ships that carry people visit Hobart during the warmer months, and sometimes military ships stop by too.

Burnie and Devonport on the northwest coast have big ports, and other small towns along the coast have fishing ports or marinas. The Spirit of Tasmania, a ferry owned by the Tasmanian government, takes passengers and cars across the Bass Strait between Tasmania and the mainland. Tasmania is also where Incat makes very fast boats that can go really fast on the water.