A Brief History

There's a pretty dark bent to the early history of this infamous British Penal Colony. The original inhabitants of the Island were the Aboriginal community - thought to have been there for 30,000 years prior to British colonisation. Wars between settlers and the locals decimated the Aboriginal Tasmanian population over the next 30 years.

The island was permanently settled by Europeans in 1803 as a penal colony of the British Empire - several historic sites remain showing remnants of this grim colony of prisoners. The island was initially part of the Colony of New South Wales, but became self governing in 1825 known as Van Dieman's Land (named for Anthony Van Dieman).  

Modern Tasmania

This fascinating early history is now a key part of what creates interest for travellers to the Apple Isles - aka Tasmania - named for one of the primary industries to flourish in this temperate climate, or as some would call it as the island is indeed shaped like an apple. The fabric of Tasmanian society is interwoven through its history, primary industry, tourism, art and outstanding beauty of the varied natural environment. 

Key Facts

• Over 20% of Tasmania is Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. 
• The Huon pine is a conifer and is endemic to Tasmania, meaning it grows naturally in Tasmania and nowhere else - living up to 3,000 yrs - the oldest in all of Australia. 
• Famous for the masupial the Tasmanian Devil - endemic to its namesake.
• Tasmania has a relatively cool temperate climate compared to the rest of Australia.
• Tasmania is the 26th largest island in the world - about the same size as the Republic of Ireland or Sri Lanka.