Tasmania, once known as the "Apple Isle", is the smallest of Australia's states and is located off the south eastern tip of the mainland. Tasmania promotes itself as the "Natural State" and the "Island of Rejuvenation" owing to its large, and relatively unspoiled natural environment. Tasmania is home to the Tasmanian Tiger, a now extinct striped marsupial dog-like animal, and the Tasmanian Devil, a small, black and white marsupial with sharp teeth and frightening growls.
History of Tasmania
The first reported sighting of Tasmania by a European was on November 24, 1642 by the Dutch explorer Abel Tasman who named the island Anthoonij van Diemenslandt, after his sponsor, the Governor of the Dutch East Indies. The name was later shortened to Van Diemens Land by the British. Captain James Cook also sighted the island in 1777, and numerous other European seafarers made landfalls, adding a colourful array to the names of topographical features.
The first settlement was by the British at Risdon Cove on the eastern bank of the Derwent estuary in 1803, by a small party sent from Sydney, under Lt. John Bowen for the purpose of preventing the French from claiming the island. An alternative settlement was established by Captain David Collins 5 km to the south in 1804 in Sullivan's Cove on the western side of the Derwent, where fresh water was more plentiful. The latter settlement became known as Hobart Town or Hobarton, later shortened to Hobart, after the British Colonial Secretary of the time, Lord Hobart. The settlement at Risdon was later abandoned.
The early settlers were mostly convicts and their military guards, with the task of developing agriculture and other industries. Numerous other convict-based settlements were made in Van Diemens Land, including secondary prisons, such as the particularly harsh penal colonies at Port Arthur in the southeast and Macquarie Harbour on the West Coast.
Van Diemen's Land was proclaimed a separate colony from New South Wales, with its own judicial establishment and Legislative Council, on December 3, 1825.
Backpacker Hostel Accommodation & Hotels in Tasmania (Tassie)
In Tasmania (Tassie) there is a number of Backpacker Hostels and Hotels where we can pre - book your accommodation. If you are looking for a budget hostel bed the click here or if you are looking for more luxurious accommodation then click here.
Security in Tasmania (Tassie)
Tasmania (Tassie) in Australia is a very safe place to travel with 1,000's of visitors touring through Tasmania (Tassie) every year. This is a popular destination for sailing enthusiasts, sunlovers, families and backpackers. To check any foreign office information on Australia you can click here.
Weather in Tasmania (Tassie)
The weather in Tasmania (Tassie) is seasonal with 2 distinctive seasons : May - Oct (Dry Season), Nov - April (Green Season) To get more information on the weather in VICTORIA (Melbourne), Australia, then click here.
Discounted Travel Insurance
Adventure Travel offers a range of Backpacker Insurance policies at heavily discounted rates. We understand that you are on a budget and prefer to save your money to backpack around the world.
Currency used in Tasmania (Tassie)
In Tasmania (Tassie) the standard currency used is the Australia Dollar. The Australia dollar comes in denominations of 5c ,10c ,20c ,50c ,$1 & 2$ coins, and $5, $10, $20, $50 & $100 notes. Most bars, restaurants, backpacker hostels, shops and Adventure Tour desks in Tasmania (Tassie) all take credit card, eftpos and cash. There is several cash machines in Tasmania (Tassie) all which dispense the Australia Dollar currency. To check the Australian dollar exchange rate against a foreign currency then click here.
Travel to Tasmania
By Air - Tasmania is served by several national or regional airlines, flying into Hobart, Launceston, Devonport and minutes. By Sea - Tasmania is served by several boats from mainland Australia, departing from Melbourne. These boats arrive at Devonport.
Things to do and see in Tasmania
Go Trout Fishing
The Overland Track - The iconic bushwalk from Cradle Mountain to Lake St Clair
VisitCradleMountain
Bay of Fires
HoneymoonBay
TamarValley for their magnificent wineries
Freycinet Peninsula
Tours / Packages Related To: Tasmania
1 Day Port Arthur Mega Tour - ex Hobart, Tasmania This popular “11 hour” Port Arthur "MEGA" day tour is JAM PACKED with all the stunning sights of the Tasman Peninsula, Richmond Colonial Village and the famous Port Arthur Historic Site ! A carefully planned itinerary means you spend short times on the bus, and maximum tim...
From $99 AUD
Port Arthur Mega Ghost Tour - ex Hobart, Tasmania This popular “11 hour” Port Arthur "MEGA" ghost tour is JAM PACKED with all the stunning sights of the Tasman Peninsula, Richmond Colonial Village and the famous Port Arthur Historic Site!Enjoy the famous Port Arthur by day and be terrified by the spine chilling ghost tour...
From $105 AUD
1 Day Mt Field, Mt Wellington & Tassie Devils - ex Hobart We set off from Hobart at 8:00am, and make our way up the summit road to the peak of Mt Wellington! As we gain height, the views of Hobart city below are incredible. When we reach the summit, we take the time to enjoy the stunning panorama that (in good weather) allows us to...
From $110 AUD
Port Arthur Discovery Tour - Tasmania Departing your city hotel, we travel around the historic birthplace of this fascinating city - Salamanca Place, Constitution Dock and Battery Point before making our way east across the Tasman Bridge and then south to Dunalley, the gateway to the Forestier and Tasman Peninsulas. Here Able ...
From $270 AUD
* *Valid until 31 March 2010
Swan Valley Experience - ex Perth We leave the city and head North to our first stop, Caversham Wildlife Park. The park is unique in many ways. It has bred its own wombats, Tasmanian devils and koalas, to name but a few, and is the only park in W.A. to have bred cassowaries. Although most of the park's animals are Au...
From $270 AUD
* *Valid until 31 March 2010
Wineglass Bay & Freycinet National Park - Hobart After we collect you from your Hobart accommodation, we depart Hobart at 7:30am and travel north to Tasmania’s sunny East Coast. Lined with amazing beaches, this coastline offers great views and a number of stops at quaint fishing towns and sheltered coves. Upon arriving in th...
From $110 AUD
Twilight Discovery Tour - ex Hobart Departing your hotel, we pass through the historic Docklands area before making our way westwards along the shoreline of the Derwent River passing many of Hobart’s economic powerhouses including mining, shipbuilding, chocolate making and vineyards. We pass through the world acclaimed...
From $313 AUD
* *Valid until 31 March 2010
1 Day Cradle Mountain National Park - ex Launceston Departing Launceston at 8:00am, we collect you from your city accommodation and set off on one of the Tasmania’s greatest wilderness journeys.We make stop along the way at Sheffield, Town of Murals, where you have the opportunity to pick up lunch and stroll the streets of this...
From $110 AUD
Port Arthur Day Tour - ex Hobart Jam-packed with Tasmanian history and natural attractions. Explore Richmond Historic Village, marvel at natural formations of the Tasmana Peninsula, and visit world-famous Port Arthur Historic Site. What to bring Day pack, camera, comfortable, sturdy footwear, warm jumper, ...
From $105 AUD
* *Valid until 31 March 2010
3 Day Devonport to Hobart - 'East Coast Explorer' Tasmania at it's best - Cataract Gorge, Freycinet National Park...A Port Arthur Ghost Tour.. Day 1 - Devonport to Bicheno Leaving Devonport we travel in the shadows of the Great Western Tiers to Launceston to explore Cataract Gorge, we then head across to the east coast taking in the views o...
From $470 AUD
* *Local Payment AU$11.00
3 Day Hobart to Devonport - 'Wild and Green West Coast Tour' Great activities and adventures in the heart of Tasmania- Cradle Mountain National Park, Lake St Claire, Sand Boarding......Waterfalls and RainforestsDay 1 - Hobart to TullahDeparting Hobart we travel to Mount Field National Park - hike to Russell Falls and join the 'Tall Trees' Walk where y...
From $470 AUD
* *Local Payment AU$22.00
Wineglass Bay, Mt Field & Port Arthur - ex Hobart Day 1: Port Arthur Mega Day, Tasman Arch, Devil’s Kitchen, Remarkable Caves and Pirates Bay LookoutPick-up from your Hobart accommodation. This day is jam-packed with Tasmanian history and natural attractions. We spend over an hour in Richmond Historic Village, stro...
From $350 AUD
4 Day Western Wilderness- Hobart to Launceston Check out the Wild West Coast of Tassie - Cradle Mountain, Lake St Claire... DAY 1: Hobart to Tarraleah We begin the morning with some of the sights around Tasmania’s capital city of Hobart including Salamanca Place, Battery Point and the waterfront docks. We then head for the hills and di...
From $695 AUD
* *(1 April 09 - 31 March 10)
Port Arthur, Freycinet & Cradle Mountain Day 1: Port Arthur Mega Day. Pick-up from your Hobart accommodation. This tour is jam packed with Tasmanian history and natural attractions. Spend quality time at the famous Port Arthur Historic Site, stroll the streets of Australia’s prettiest colonial village at Richmond, ...
From $520 AUD
6 Day Taste of Tasmania Visit Lake St. Claire, Cradle Mountain spectacular rainforests and waterfalls as you travel through Tasmania- Experience a "ghost tour " at historic Port Arthur.....Day 1 - Hobart to TullahDeparting Hobart we travel to Mount Field National Park where we hike to Russell Falls and join the 'Tall T...
From $845 AUD
* *Local Payment AU$33.00
7 Day Tasmania - 'Top to Tail' The best of Tasmania, chocolate, ghosts, canoeing, quad bikes and sand boarding!Day 1 - Devonport to BichenoLeaving Devonport we travel in the shadows of the Great Western Tiers to Launceston to explore Cataract Gorge, we then head across to the east coast taking in the views of Stacks Bluff & L...
From $875 AUD
* *Local Payment AU$33.00
10 Day Raft Tasmania Adventure- ex Hobart This ten day adventure takes you the full navigable length of the Franklin River, deep in the heart of Tasmania's Wilderness World Heritage Area. Our journey includes a walk to the imposing Frenchmans Cap, the monarch of the south west, as well as rafting through one of Tasmanias most spectacula...
