Thursday 11 October 2012

POSTCARD FROM TASMANIA

“It is acknowledged even by all the rival colonies that of all the colonies Tasmania is the prettiest… [it] may be said of the small island that, go where you will, the landscape that meets the eye is pleasing, whereas the reverse of this is certainly the rule on the Australian continent. And the climate of Tasmania is by far pleasanter than that of any part of the mainland… Everything in Tasmania is more English than is England herself.” – ‘Australia and New Zealand’; by Anthony Trollope, 1873

I am in Tasmania for work for a few days and it was a delight to arrive here this morning to a delightful Spring day, especially since it was cold, wet and gray in Melbourne. Usually, Tasmania, being to the South of the mainland, has a colder, wetter and much cooler temperate climate than any other Australian place. As well as that, it boasts the southernmost state capital
in Australia, Hobart.
 

Tasmania is an island state 240 kilometres in the south of the Australian continent, separated by the Bass Strait. The state includes the island of Tasmania, the 26th largest island in the world, and the surrounding 334 islands. The state has a population of 507,626 (as of June 2010), of whom almost half reside in the greater Hobart precinct. Tasmania’s area is 68,401 square kilometres, of which the main island covers 62,409 square kilometres. The subantarctic Macquarie Island is also under the administration of the state, as part of the Huon Valley Council local government area.
 

Tasmania is promoted to tourists as the “Natural State”, the “Island of Inspiration” and “A World Apart, Not A World Away”, owing to its large and relatively unspoiled natural environment. Almost 37% of Tasmania lies in reserves, national parks and World Heritage Sites. The island is 364 kilometres long from its northernmost to its southernmost points, and 306 kilometres from west to east.
 

The state capital and largest city is Hobart, which encompasses the local government areas of City of Hobart, City of Glenorchy, and City of Clarence, while the satellite town of Kingston (part of the Municipality of Kingborough) is generally included in the Greater Hobart area.

1 comment:

  1. Tourists love Tassie because of its natural beauty, both mountainous and coastal. But I love visiting the island because of is colonial and later 19th century history.

    ReplyDelete