The island of
Tasmania is located 240 kilometers south of the eastern side of the mainland, being separated from it by the
Bass Strait. The capital city is
Hobart. Tasmania has an estimated population of 495,000, mainly concentrated on the north and south east coasts. Total land mass covers an area of 68,401 km2. Known as the Natural State, almost 37% of Tasmania is in reserves, National Parks and
World Heritage Sites. The state currently has 19 national parks, covering more than 1.4 million hectares or nearly 21% of the state’s total land area. The four largest national parks are on the World heritage list. Originally name
Van Diemens Land, the first European to see Tasmania was Dutch Navigator
Abel Tasman in 1642, although it was not until 1803 that settlers arrived. Early settlers were mostly convicts and their guards. All major Australian domestic airlines have routes to Tasmania, the state is also conveniently accessible by ferry from
Melbourne.