Northern Tasmania, Australia

Photos from the Real AUSTRALIA

Tasmania, Australia's island State

The smallest state, the southernmost state and the island state: Tasmania is unique. Originally called Van Diemen's Land by the Dutch and later named after the Dutch explorer Abel Tasman who had "discovered" it in 1642, the island had, through its isolation, a unique population; however, in 1803 it became a convict colony, settlers took over the land and hunted down and killed most of the Aborigines. Those who remained were taken and settled on Flinders Island in Bass Strait . The last surviving full-blooded Tasmanian Aborigine, Truganini, died in 1876, one of the many tragedies of Australia.

The island has a temperate climate; sometimes called the "Apple Isle" it is well suited for agriculture and there are large farms. There is also great hiking, there are mountains to explore, beautiful beaches and one of the last examples of rain forest, now a protected World Heritage Area, in the Gordon River region, in the south west of the state. And there is Port Arthur, a grim reminder of the convict days, a penal settlement from 1830 to 1877.

The state’s capital, Hobart, was founded in 1804. It straddles the mouth of the Derwent River and its dock area has great character. Not far to the north of the capital is the historic town of Richmond, with its freestone bridge, Australia's oldest, built by convict labour between 1823 and 1825.

Tasmania is a truly special place.

And where to stay? Go to Hotel Reservations in Tasmania.

But what about the weather? Click here to find out.

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