The compact diversity of Tasmania is a great contrast to the rest of Australia. Less than two hundred kilometers of highway will take you from a sandy seashore, through rich rolling intensively farmed downs, across rivers, into eucalyptus forests, up a mountain escarpment cloaked in rainforest, onto a highland plateau of alpine lakes and treeless moors, down forest-clad slopes, into sub-alpine grazing country punctuated with generous Georgian houses, through stone villages as old as European settlements.

Separated from mainland Australia by the 240 kilometers (150 miles) stretch of Bass Strait, Tasmania is a land apart - a place of wild, mountainous and beautiful landscapes; friendly, welcoming people; temperate climate; quality wines and food; a spirited history; and a creative arts community - all wrapped up in a relaxed lifestyle. More than 40 percent of the island is protected as World Heritage Area, national parks and state and marine reserves. In 2004, it was ranked third in the world for stewardship of its environment by National Geographic Traveler magazine's Sustainable Tourism Initiative.

One of Tasmania's major cities is Hobart.

Tasmania was recently featured in the New York Times: Web Version - PDF Version

The West Wilderness has some of the most beautiful and pristine rainforest and whitewater rivers in the world. Providing excellent outdoor pursuits such as bushwalking and rafting this scenic oasis is only a two to three hours drive from Hobart or Launceston. Cradle Mountain at Lake St. Clair National Park has magnificent mountainous scenery, lakes and, depending on the season, wildflowers, or snow, or both. On the Tasmania Peninsula you’ll find Port Arthur. One of Australia's most significant visitor attractions, this infamous convict settlement is approximately ninety minutes by road southeast of Hobart. Sightseeing, swimming, sailing, surfing, scuba diving, tuna fishing and camping are just some of the activities available. In the north of the state, the Tamar Valley provides beautiful river scenes, vineyards, restaurants and bakeries in a rural setting.

Source: Lonely Planet, Australia, 2004.