Tasmania is an Australian island and state of the same name. It is located 240 kilometres (150 mi) south of the eastern side of the continent, being separated from it by Bass Strait. The state of Tasmania includes the island of Tasmania, which is the 26th largest island in the world, and other surrounding islands. Tasmania is promoted as the Natural State and the "Island of Inspiration" owing to its large and relatively unspoiled natural environment. Formally, almost 37% of Tasmania is in reserves, National Parks and World Heritage Sites. The island is 364 Kilometers long from the northernmost point to the southernmost point and 306 Kilometers from west to east.
Transportation
Tasmania is connected with a network of good public transportation system which connects areas like Hobart and Launceston. Though the frequency is comparatively lesser in areas like Burnie and Davenport, frequent coaches ply in all the major cities and tourist places like Cradle Mountain. The best way to Tour Tasmania is by hiring a car. Since the rates of hiring car are equal throughout Australia, the roads are in a lot better condition. If the tourist wishes to tour around a lot in the state and has spare cash, then car is always a better option.
Getting Around :
Since Tasmania is not connected with direct international flights, the tourists have to transit from Melbourne, Adelaide, Sydney or Brisbane and take a direct flight towards Hobart, Launceston, Devonport or Burnie. Jetstar and Virgin Blue operate directly from the four major cities of Australia towards Hobart. Qantas provides direct flights from Melbourne and Sydney and other available options include Regional Express from Melbourne towards Devonport and Burnie.
With a daily high speed ferry called "Spirit of Tasmania" operating directly from Melbourne to Devonport at night and a third ferry operating thrice a week from Sydney to Devonport, Tasmania is easily accessible in a span of 10 hours journey. The ferries operating from Melbourne have a capacity of carrying 1400 hundred passengers and 650 vehicles. With an excellent cuisine onboard to offer that also includes bars, lounges and live entertainment the trip to Tasmania cannot be afforded to miss!
Shopping and Entertainment
There are plenty of things to buy in Tasmania some of which include :
→ Artists living in Tasmania will tell you it is the landscape that has inspired their work, and you can find examples of quality furniture, painting, photography, clothing, jewellery and artefacts in private galleries, arts and craft shops and markets.
→ Tasmanian wool is rated as the finest in the world and you can buy natural spun wool or hand and machine knitted and woven fine garments.
→ The harvests of our land and sea, and cool climate wines, are nourished by clean waters and rich soils. So look out for full-flavoured cheeses direct from the makers, plump delicious oysters, scallops, abalone, crayfish and fin fish, fresh from the Southern Ocean. Our berries, apples and stone fruits are juicy and still full of flavour; and our chocolates and beers world-winners.
Entertainment : When it comes to Tasmania entertainment there are so many fun things to do that you will have a hard time picking and choosing. In fact, there are all types of Tasmania entertainment as well so no matter what your tastes you should have no problem finding entertainment to fit your style and budget.
√ Concerts always make up a big portion of Tasmania entertainment. While many local productions make up Tasmania entertainment, some big acts make it to the entertainment scene as well.
√ A fabulous entertainment option is the Tasmania Symphony Orchestra. This small Orchestra is something special and well renown for its innovative performances.
√ Sporting events are another form of Tasmania entertainment that are always a lot of fun. Horse races, Football games, Cricket, and the like will have everyone excited and cheering for their favorite team. This is perhaps one of the most popular types of Tasmania entertainment and is certainly worth noting when the big games come to Hobart and Launceston.
Obviously, there are plenty of entertainment options to keep you busy when you are in Tasmania so all you need to do is check out what's on and the different activities you would be interested in and then make your plans. You will have a lot of fun in Tasmania so go ahead and start making your plans.
