Tasmania is an island roughly the size of Sri Lanka or Ireland, located 240 km off the south-east corner of mainland Australia. Next stop south is Antarctica, 2000 km away.

Encircled by the Southern Ocean, Tasman Sea and Bass Strait, we breathe the world’s cleanest air and rejoice in pure water and fertile soils – our wine and food are acclaimed around the world.

Tasmania is a natural island – a  land of dramatic coastlines, rugged mountains, tall forests and sparkling highland lakes. Over a third of the state is reserved in a network of National Parks and the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, a refuge and habitat for rare plants and animals, including survivors of the ancient southern super continent, Gondwana.

Our European heritage dates back to the early 1800s, while Tasmanian Aboriginals first reached here 40,000 years ago.

Tasmania also has a vibrant cultural life, boasting one of the best small orchestras in the world and literary authors such as Richard Flanagan, winner of the 2002 Commonwealth Writer's Prize.

Wilderness, heritage, art & culture, wine & food – they’re waiting for you in Tasmania.

• The population of Tasmania is 472,000. with Hobart, the capital city, a population of 195,500.

• Tasmania has more than 2000 km of walking tracks and 18 national parks.

• Hobart has the nation’s second-lowest rainfall (626 mm or 24 inches) of all Australian capital cities.

• The average summer temperature is a comfortable 21°C (70°F). Winter’s average is 12°C (52° F).

Find out what's happening in Tasmania

• Tasmania Events
• Discover Tasmania