Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
14
Tasmania
by Marc Llewellyn
T
he name “Tasmania” suggests an
unspoiled place, with vast stretches of
wilderness roamed by strange crea-
tures like the Tasmanian devil. Many
mainland residents still half-jokingly
refer to their “country cousins” on this
island as rednecks. In truth, most Tas-
manians are hospitable and friendly
people, lacking the harsh edge that big
cities can foster. Most also care pas-
sionately for the environment, decry-
ing the belief that anything that moves
deserves a bullet and anything that
stands still needs chopping down.
Visitors to Tasmania are surprised
by its size, though compared to the rest
of Australia the distances are certainly
more manageable. Dense rainforests,
mountain peaks, alpine meadows,
great lakes, eucalyptus stands, and
fertile stretches of farmland are all
easily accessible, but you should be
prepared for several hours of concen-
trated driving to get you between the
main attractions. Among Tasmania's
chief attractions is its natural environ-
ment. More than 20% of the island
has been declared a World Heritage
area, and nearly a third of the island is
protected within its 14 national parks.
Tasmania's other main draw is its
history. Remains of the Aborigine
people that lived here for tens of thou-
sands of years are evident in isolated
rock paintings, engraving, stories, and
the aura of spirituality that still holds
tight in places where modern civiliza-
tion has not yet reached.
Europeans discovered Tasmania (or
Van Diemen's Land, as it was once
known) in 1642, when the seafarer
Abel Tasman set anchor off its south-
west coast, although it wasn't identified
as an island until 1798. Tasmania
made its mark as a dumping ground
for convicts, who were more often
than not transported for petty crimes
in their homeland. The brutal system
of control, still evident in the ruins at
Port Arthur and elsewhere, spilled over
into persecution of the native popula-
tion. The last full-blooded Tasmanian
Aborigine died in 1876, 15 years after
the last convict transportation. Most
had already died of disease and mal-
treatment at the hands of the settlers.
1 Exploring Tasmania
VISITOR INFORMATION
The
Tasmanian Travel and Information Centre
(
&
1300/655 145
in Australia; www.discovertasmania.com.au) operates visitor
centers located in more than 30 towns throughout the state. It can arrange travel
passes, ferry and bus tickets, car rental, cruises, and accommodations.
Pick up a copy of
Travelways,
Tourism Tasmania's tourist tabloid, for details on
transportation, accommodations, restaurants, and attractions around Tasmania.
WHEN TO GO
The best time to visit Tasmania is between October and
April, when the weather is at its best. By May nights are getting cold, the days
are getting shorter, and the deciduous trees are starting to turn golden. Winters
