Australia’s only island state is just an hour’s flight south of Melbourne or 90 minutes from Sydney but another world away in your Australian experience.

Forty per cent of Tasmania is protected as national parks and reserves – places of such ancient beauty that Tasmania is known as one of the world’s great island destinations.

When you cross Bass Strait, south of the 40 th parallel, you’ll find out how distance stirs self-reliance, creativity and an abiding connection with place. These qualities are reflected in the preservation of our convict heritage, the joy and enthusiasm of our guided nature experiences, and the extraordinary locations where you can challenge and indulge yourself.

This temperate archipelago, of more than 300 islands, is compact enough for easy access to World Heritage wilderness from our small cities, diverse enough to ensure you can eat out in some of Australia’s best restaurants, browse for quality art and crafts and buy fresh produce and fine wine direct from growers and makers.

Our population of less than 500,000 supports a world-class symphony orchestra, a festival of island cultures, and a mid-winter festival that celebrates our Antarctic connections.

Tasmania is never crowded, and our historic towns and seaside villages are dispersed across an area about the size of Ireland or West Virginia. The average summer temperature is a comfortable 21°C (70°F), while winter’s average is a mild 12°C (52° F).