Tasmania offers the maximum diversity of unique scenery and wildlife, world-class wine and food, fascinating history and heritage sites, cultures and entertainment, all packaged to be sampled in the shortest possible time and distance.
The smallest Australian state, 150 miles south of the continental mainland, this heart-shaped island is the 26th largest in the world. Known as Van Diemen's Land until 1855, the island was renamed for Abel Janszoon Tasman, the Dutch navigator who discovered it in 1642. It has 5 distinct regions.
Australia's only island state is made up of lush green valleys and rainforests, tranquil towns and villages and stretches of pristine coastline. The mountainous terrain is profiled in a unique serrated formation against the sky, reflecting the millennia old connections with the frozen continent of Antarctica along with the rare, ancient dolerite rocks. www.discovertasmania.com
The NORTH WEST showcases nature at its best: the Tarkine, 1.4m acres of temperate rainforest, dense eucalyptus forests, gigantic sand dunes, rugged mountains and spectacular river gorges. The coastline caves shelter Aboriginal rock carvings; the rugged Pieman River flows through natural splendor. The summit of the volcanic outcrop, the Nut, reveals the vastness of Bass Strait. Narawntapu National Park harbors unique wildlife. King Island is famous for its wildlife, beaches and gourmet food. The maritime past is archived at the Historical Society Museum, with relics from shipwrecks in the  Bass Strait. The ancient calcified forest is 7000 years old. www.tasmaniatravel.com
Tasmania's NORTHEAST is known for its quality timber, grazing land and mining history. Launceston, the second-largest city in Tasmania, situated on the Tamar River is a charming mixture of old and modern. The boardwalk is populated with quaint waterside cafes and fine dining restaurants. The Tamar Valley is famous for its wine experience; the Barnbougle Dunes for their golf. Visit historic villages, and take the 15-minute walk to Cataract Gorge Reserve. Walk along the cliff face path, visit the Cliff Grounds Victorian garden and the South Esk River. Stroll across the footbridge or take the chairlift to gaze at the swirling water below.

The EAST COAST is ``Tasmania's Suncoast.'' Fine weather, white sandy beaches, national parks, convict ruins and fishing ports invite diving and sea fishing. East Coast and Flinders Island have pristine, uncrowded beaches in abundance. Maria Island is a wildlife refuge, famous for bird watching. Stroll the Fossil Cliffs walk. Watch frolicking  penguins at dusk at Bicheno, enjoy the pure blue water at the Bay of Fires and Flinders Island, with its  rugged coast and magnificent scenery. 
The most populous region, the SOUTH has bushland areas and natural wonders. Hobart, the state capital boasts historic buildings and is convenient for regional attractions. The beautiful harbor city has a memorable, timeless quality and a great maritime heritage. Salamanca Place is famous for interesting galleries and gourmet restaurants. Cruise down the channel, or visit historic Battery Point. Coal River Valley vineyards lie enroute to Australia's oldest bridge in Richmond. Visit the awe-inspiring historic site of Port Arthur’s penal colony past.
The pristine wilderness and magnificent beauty of Tasmania's World Heritage Area is located in the WEST - the awesome coastline and the primal aura of the rainforest. Go rafting on the majestic Franklin River; gaze at the peaks of Cradle Mountain , see Lake St Clair National Park; ride on a wilderness railway.
SOUTHWEST Tasmania has some of the most pristine and beautiful wilderness in the world, with spectacular sights.
The lakes and mountains of the central highlands are a popular destination, offering superb fishing and camping. The midlands are a prime wool-producing area, and Tasmania's major highway passes by many historic towns. www.tourtasmania.com
Tasmania's separation from the mainland, diverse landscape, temperate climate and absence of non-native predators has resulted in thriving indigenous species of plant and animal life.
Black Currawong, Echidna, Kangaroo, Kookaburra, Golden Possum, Rainbow lorikeet, Tawny frogmouth, Orange Bellied Parrot, Bennett's Wallaby and wombat are some of the esoteric species to be enjoyed here.
The best-known is the Tasmanian Devil, named by early European settlers because of its eerie nocturnal growl.
Native trees include the Tasmanian Blue Gum - the flower of which is the state floral symbol - and various types of pines.
Within the space of a day, it is possible to straddle a mountain peak, immerse in an azure sea, cycle through historic villages, and sip on premium cool-climate wines or journey deep into the western wilderness. Driving is reduced to a minimum and enjoyment is exploited to the maximum.
Tasmania is the perfect place for the outdoor-spirited, the adrenaline-rush-challenge-seeker, and the history/geology/anthropologist buff. The activities on offer range from individual camping, fishing etc., to abseiling, diving, white-water-rafting; from heritage sites to vicarious Antarctic exploration.  www.goway.com
Links to the frozen continent are exhibited along Hobart’s waterfront, the launching pad for an Antarctic adventure.
Collections of memorabilia are on display in the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery’s Islands to Ice exhibition, Maritime Museum; Australian Antarctic Division Headquarters in Kingston, and at historic sites such as Hadley’s Hotel in Murray Street, which housed Roald Amundsen in March 1912, after his successful return from the South Pole.
Franklin Square has the statue of Sir John Franklin, Tasmania’s Governor (1837-1843), who perished in his attempt to find the North West Passage in Canada’s icy north.
The Polar Pathways self-guided walking and driving tour takes in Hobart's unique Antarctic and Southern Ocean connections and sites.  Macquarie Island, a Tasmanian sub-Antarctic island in the Southern Ocean, provides a rich Antarctic experience. 
Tasmania is one of Australia's best kept secrets, isolated for thousands of years. At the edge of the world, a world unto itself, and yet very much a part of our world.