Tasmania, A Great Vacation Escape

Tasmania is the small triangular island at the bottom of Australia

, known for its Tasmanian Devils and relaxed lifestyle. Tasmania is an island state, with Hobart as the capital, and it includes the 334 surrounding islands. The population is somewhere just over half a million, with a large amount of the island being wilderness and 37% reserved as National Parks and World Heritage sites.

The island was first inhabited by aboriginal people belonging to nine major ethnic groups. Although the population was near 10,000 before the arrival of Europeans, this was severely reduced due to the introduction of infectious diseases, war and intermarriage. Tasmania was first sighted by a European in 1642, by Dutch explorer Abel Tasman. It was visited by James Cook in 1777. The first settlement was at Risdon Cove on the Derwent Estuary, and consisted of mostly convicts and guards- plus few women, and the population steadily increased. More penal colonies were established on the island, and in the first half of the 19th century 75,000 convicts were transported to the island. Later, whaling became an important industry which brought settlers outside of the penal colonies, and then shipbuilding.

Tasmania was a separate British colony until 1901, when the Australian colonies joined to become the commonwealth of Australia. Tasmanians fought with ANZAC troops in both world wars, and the island is now a modern and multicultural state which attracts many visitors and new residents each year.

Hobart is the capital of Tasmania and the biggest city. It is in southwest Tasmania, on the Derwent Estuary and is overlooked by the imposing Mount Wellington. In the north, the next largest centre is Launceston, an inland city at the intersection of 3 rivers. Other significant urban areas on the island include Devonport and George Town, Burnie and Wynyard on the northern coast, and Kingston which is twenty kilometres south of Hobart.

Visitors to Tasmania will enjoy the temperate climate, beaches, history and the natural beauty. One popular and stunning location is the Bay of Fires on the northeastern coast, where red rocks contrast with white sand and blue water. One million hectares of Tasmanian wilderness is a World Heritage Site, and near Launceston, the Cataract Gorge Reserve is a unique formation worth a visit. Port Arthur is Australia"s best-preserved convict site which will give visitors a taste of the penal colonies which were plentiful in the early 19th century. Hobart is home to a lot of whaling and shipbuilding history, including the fascinating Tasmanian Maritime Museum. The famous Tasmanian Devils are found wild only in Tasmania, and they can be seen at the Tasmanian Devil Conservation Park, an hour from Hobart on the way to Port Arthur.

Experience the fabulous atmosphere in Tasmania while traveling in a comfortable yet inexpensive Tasmania motorhome. Look for cheap Tasmania campervan hire rates and the best Tasmania motorhome rental deals for an extraordinary Motorhome vacation in this lovely part of Australia.

by: David Robinson

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