FACTS ABOUT TASMANIA

I’m not going to lie. Tasmania has a very special place in my heart. I went there for the first time in October 2021, and was only meant to stay for a month. I quickly realised that four weeks is not enough to get to know this island well. I got back there in January 2022, stayed for another two months, and honestly speaking, I don’t think it was my last visit. What’s so special about Tasmania? Is it cold there all year round? What’s the best month to go? In this blog post, I’m going to share with you facts about Tasmania. Let’s go!

WHERE IS TASMANIA IN RELATION TO AUSTRALIA?

Tasmania is Australia’s smallest state located around 240 km south-east of its mainland. Looking at the map, it seems like a tiny island. Well, it’s not that tiny. In fact, it has a landmass of 68,401 km², which makes it almost as large as Ireland in Europe. That’s a lot to explore! International flights to Tasmania are limited to those coming from New Zealand, so most travellers arriving by air will pass through immigration at a mainland airport. If you travel by car, you can catch a ferry that goes between Melbourne, and Devonport.

WHAT ARE THE LARGEST CITIES IN TASMANIA?

Hobart is the state capital of Tasmania, the largest city on the island, and a home to almost half of all Tasmanians. The second-largest city is Launceston just 200 km up north. I remember my first visit to Hobart very well. Kind of surreal experience. I knew I didn’t leave the country, but nothing resembled Australia anymore. I was walking aimlessly, admiring the harbour, and wondering how long the snow is going to last on Mount Wellington. Tasmania’s main airport is in Hobart. The second-biggest airport is in Launceston.

IS TASMANIA COLD ALL YEAR ROUD?

Tasmania is Australia’s smallest, and coldest state. That’s a fact, but what’s the weather really like? In short, summer is mild, winter is cold. Over the course of the year, the temperature typically varies from 5°C to 25°C during the day. From June to August the temperature can reach as low as 0°C, and from December to February it sometimes exceeds 30°C. To sum up, the weather changes frequently, and unexpectedly. Snowfall is most common in winter. Although, it can’t be ruled out in summer, especially in the mountains.

WHAT IS THE BEST MONTH TO VISIT TASMANIA?

High season in Tasmania starts at the beginning of December, and ends with the last day of February. Summer equals the most stable weather. You will get a daytime temperature average of 25°C with a minimum amount of rain, and the least chance of snow. Unfortunately, it also means more people travelling around, and slightly higher prices. That’s why it’s worth to consider visiting Tasmania in October, November or March. The weather is still pretty good, and the number of visitors is lower. Choose wisely!

WHAT IS SO SPECIAL ABOUT TASMANIA?

Tasmania is Australia’s most mountainous state, and this is why I love it so much. The glaciated landscape with many lakes, and tarns prevails on the Central Plateau and the Southwest. Tasmania is also full of waterfalls, and has the country’s largest areas of temperate rainforest. Mount Ossa at 1617 metres is Tasmania’s highest mountain that lies in the Pelion Range on the Overland Track. What about beautiful beaches? Are there any? Make sure to check out Wineglass Bay in Freycinet National Park. A total must-see!

WHAT ANIMALS CAN ONLY BE FOUND IN TASMANIA?

Tasmania is home to several endemic species that can’t be found anywhere else in the world. That includes, among others, the Tasmanian devil, Eastern bettong, Eastern quoll, and Tasmanian pademelon. If lucky, you can also spot an echidna, and a platypus, the last living mammals that lay eggs. There are three species of snakes found on the island, and they are all venomous, the Tiger snake, Copperhead and White-lipped snake. When it comes to spiders, I haven’t seen too many of them in Tasmania, only a harmless huntsman.

HOW MANY DAYS DO YOU NEED TO SEE TASMANIA?

“You need a week or two to see Tasmania”. That’s the biggest misconception of all time. Let me say that again. I spent three months exploring the island, and I’m thinking of coming back. Tasmania is jam-packed with attractions, and you need time to discover them. That’s a fact! There are 19 national parks, and 816 nature reserves, covering around 40% of the island. With that being said, it’s a true paradise for outdoorsy people. The best way to get around is driving. A car is a must if you want to see anything outside the towns.

WHERE TO GO HIKING IN TASMANIA?

Hiking is a huge passion of mine, and this is why I enjoyed Tasmania so much. There are heaps of walking tracks on the island, perfect for beginners, as well as for very experienced bushwalkers. You can choose between short day walks, easy to moderate multi-day hikes, and hard to extreme rugged adventures. Some of the toughest hikes I have done in Tasmania include Mount Anne Circuit, Western Arthurs Traverse, and Federation Peak. For hiking tips, go to a separate post with a comprehensive guide to hiking in Tasmania.

These are the facts about Tasmania. Did you know that Tasmania gets snow throughout the year? Let me know by leaving a comment below!

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Hey, it’s Karolina, the author of this blog. If you find my content valuable and helpful, I would be more than grateful, if you could support my work, and buy me a coffee. I do love writing my blog, and creating content for you guys. Thank you!