It is as pleasing a town as any that I know. It is beautifully situated.Anthony Trollope on Hobart, 1871. Most people are familiar with the major Australian cities but the mention of Tasmania leads to confusion as to where and what it is!With a population of just under half a million, Tasmania is the island state of Australia and consists of more than 300 islands and is just about as far down under as you can go in Australia. It is a beautiful land of spectacular coastlines, rugged mountains, stunning wilderness and beautiful lakes.www.discovertasmania.com.au
Tasmania
There are four major population centres – Hobart, Launceston, Burnie and Devonport.
Hobart
Hobart is the state capital of Tasmania, and is the smallest and most southerly of all Australia’s capitals. Home to around 200,000 people, Hobart is located on the south east coast of the island and has pretty beaches scattered along the coastline. It is an aesthetically appealing city, set on a beautiful harbour, overlooked by soaring mountains and filled with a higher proportion of its original buildings than any other major city.
Hobart has striking similarities to charming old British coastal towns and the most well preserved colonial heritage listed buildings in all of Australia. Historically, it is the second oldest city in Australia and has close links with the sea. The prestigious annual Sydney-Hobart boat race is undoubtedly the most high profile sporting event on the Tasmanian calendar and attracts crowds from around the world who turn out in their thousands every Christmas to see the incredible boats swarm into the harbour.
Aside from the boat race, Tasmania has a strong sporting tradition with state of the art facilities to match. It also has a vibrant cultural scene with a thriving theatre community including Australia’s oldest theatre, The Theatre Royal, which is Tasmania’s hub for live music, music and dance. Hobart is also home to one of the best small orchestras in the world, not to mention art house cinemas, museums and art galleries.
The waterfront has the hustle and bustle that comes from being a busy port, and it is the focus for Hobart’s attractions and a lively and fun area to eat, drink and shop in. The cool, clean environment yields internationally sought after gourmet foods and wines, both of which are plentiful in this underrated State. Retail and tourism are also major employers in the Hobart region, with the largest secondary industries being food and beverage manufacturing and electricity supply.
Launceston
Launceston, the State’s second largest city, with its graceful Victorian architecture and green parks, sits inland of the Tamar River. It is the gateway to Tasmania’s premier wine growing region – the Tamar Valley. Launceston’s industrial base is concentrated in food, beverages and metals manufacturing.
Burnie
Burnie is a regional city that has a large port with cargo shipping being the major industry in the area. There’s plenty to do for locals and visitors, with easy access to both sand and surf close by. The scenery around the region is nothing short of spectacular, and the beautiful waterfalls are worth a visit. Nature lovers should head east of the city to Fernglade, a tranquil retreat along the banks of the Emu River where you might be lucky enough to see a wild platypus.
Others places of interest include Burnie Park, the Emu Valley Rhododendron Garden, the Lactos Cheese Factory and the Pioneer Village Museum.
Devonport
Devonport is a small town with a population of around 25,000. It is a gateway to Tasmania and can be reached by travelling by ferry across the Bass Strait from Melbourne in Victoria. From the continental mainland, you can cross the strait with your car from Melbourne on the overnight vehicle ferry, the
Spirit of Tasmania. It is an active seaport and has some interesting cultural attractions including the Tasmanian Aboriginal Culture and Art Centre which holds a decent collection of Aboriginal rock engravings and the Tasmanian Maritime and Port Museum.