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Hobart,
Tasmania
Tasmania is the
smallest and most southerly of Australia's six states. It has an
island population of approximately 500,000 and lies about 200km (124
miles) south of the state of Victoria and is separated from mainland
Australia by Bass Strait. This heart-shaped island is 315kms (189
miles) across and 286kms (175 miles) long. Comparatively it's about
the same size as the republic of Ireland, a little larger than West
Virginia and one and a half times the size of Switzerland.
The capital city is Hobart with population of 193,000.
It was originally named Van Diemans Land by Dutch explorer Abel
Tasman in 1642, but it was settled by the British as a penal colony
in 1803. At that time it is believed there were about 5000
Aboriginals living on the island with a presence extending back for
more than 50,000 years. Convict transportation ceased in 1853. The
convicts had provided the main source of building labour in the
colony and this heritage is still evident throughout Tasmania today.
 Tasmania has a mild maritime climate. Statistically, Hobart has half
the rain of Sydney, more sun than Melbourne and it is warmer than
Madrid. Tasmania is incredibly diverse and beautiful.
More than 20 per cent of Tasmania has been listed with UNESCO as a
World Heritage Area - in recognition of one of the world's great
natural and cultural treasures. The Tasmanian Wilderness World
Heritage Area (WHA) is one of the largest conservation reserves in
Australia, covering 1.38 million hectares, or about 20% of the
island of Tasmania, the southern-most State of Australia. It
conserves a diverse array of both natural and cultural features of
outstanding global significance. The region provides pristine
habitats for a range of plants and animals that are found nowhere
else in the world, including many rare and endangered species. For a
number of animals which have become extinct on mainland Australia in
recent times, the area offers a last refuge.
The WHA is the Australian stronghold of temperate rainforest and
alpine vegetation. Its landforms are of immense beauty and reveal a
rich and complex geology. Aboriginal occupation extending back
beyond 36 000 years, combined with nearly two centuries of European
settlement, have created a legacy of humanity's interaction with the
wilderness.
Tasmania’s capital city is an intriguing blend of heritage and
lifestyle, scenery and vibrant culture. Hobart is warm sandstone,
bright spinnakers on the River Derwent, fish punts at the docks, the
slap of halyards on masts, coffee under the striped sun umbrellas of
Salamanca, an occasional frosting of snow on Mt Wellington, bush
tracks and birdsong. Hobart is a city of history, with gracious
homes and buildings, colonial cottages, and warehouses, heritage
parks and gardens. It’s a city of bustling markets, a flourishing
arts scene, festivals and entertainment, and of fine restaurants.
Savour Tasmania’s superb cool-climate wines, famous beers and
delicious fresh foods. |
