Formerly known as the Island state ‘Van Diemen’s Land’, Tasmania lies about 240 km south of Victoria state. The main island of Tasmania is Bruny Island and is surrounded by other similar yet smaller sized islands such as king and Flinders in the Bass Strait and Macquarie, which is about 1450km away from the mainland.
This main island is heart-shaped and as a reflection of its residents, this shape is significant to those who visit every year in truckloads, the hospitality, personalities, and lifestyle offered to you when you visit this island is beyond any you would have ever encountered. The locals are warm and welcoming to anyone and everyone.
When visiting this island, there is never a feeling of being an outsider when you visit this place, and everything from the people, to the food and the culture as well as its rich heritage, makes for a wonderful stay and experience you can pass on to others.
We look at 3 reasons that make this the most fascinating island state in Australia and the reason why people often visit it – the people, the accommodation and the culture.
The People of Tasmania
Did you know that of all the states, Tasmania is known as the one with the highest numbers of residents born inside Australia? An almost 80:20 ratio where 80% are locals and 20 are born outside or elsewhere in the world. This 80% are however of British descent while the others are immigrants from all over.
Looking at their religion, the greater population are Anglicans and the smaller are the Roman Catholics. The Anglicans is a form of Christianity that includes both Roman Catholics and Protestants, belonging to the Church of England. Based around traditional worship and operates flexibly around the various regions. Further information about this can be found on this website.
This trend however has been declining over the past few years as the ‘no religion’ population is growing the ‘religion’ population is declining towards a more flexible approach. The original nomads of Tasmania have left very few traces of their origins and lifestyles; however, the original terrain can still be found today. The rocky surfaces and inhospitable terrains are what make this place so aesthetically appealing for tourists and residents alike.
Those looking to get away from the urban and suburban city life with tall skyscrapers, various technologies, and pollution, can find an escape in this Island state. A breath of fresh air is always available here and the technology you find here is only enough for you to get your work done. Cars are not very popular but bicycles are some of the most used by its people as a means of transportation, mainly because nothing is too far away.
The Rich Life and Culture
Even though this is a small place with a rich local heritage, the arts scene is in abundance and celebrated every ear with different activities and events, some of which raise money for the local businesses and services that cater to everyone, as well as help towards maintaining the states infrastructure, roads, and buildings.
Tasmania’s University often hosts both music and arts events, courtesy of their conservatory music and school of arts. The Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra (TSO):https://www.tso.com.au/, received support from Hobarts city council in terms of financial aid as such it gives regular concerts and shows to residents, visitors, and other artists from all over the country and worldwide.
The department of tourism, Arts and the Environment is also a popular establishment known to support the various fine arts and crafts events and exhibitions that run throughout the year to raise awareness as well as collect funding for the betterment of the island and its people.
The Accommodation
One can be lucky to find some of the best types of accommodation and lodgings in Tasmania, and the options are plenty, from bed and breakfast to 5-star hotels, exquisite resorts with spa facilities, and quaint guest houses run by the locals. You can never be too spoilt when looking for a place to stay either for one night or a couple of weeks, whether it’s for business or pleasure, you can find something to fit your needs.
Even though the area is a haven for tourists during peak season, the people are so accommodating that they would make sure you have a place to sleep at night. When we say ‘Island’ many people think all they will find are small huts or beach cottages and clay houses, however, you will be surprised to know that some of the most modern and sophisticated structures exist here.
Take for example the Saffire Freycinet accommodation, which is a luxury accommodation packed with everything you would need for a leisure holiday filled with fun and relaxation. It offers a spa, culinary food experiences, and a variety of different room and facilities packages to choose from. From the architecture to the location and the offerings, everything is top-notch.
Then there are the subtler venues such as the hostels or backpacker’s accommodation which have been created for those on a mission of making the most of the Rocky Mountains and practicing some climbing and hiking activities during their stay there.
Perhaps your more acquainted with apartment living and prefer the self-catering options that this area has to offer its visitors. This is also an option for anyone to book and more suitable for longer stays from 2 weeks onwards and for those who want to explore nearby regions.
The terrain calls for some camping options too. Those willing to rest with nature and all of its grandeur can submerge themselves in one of the campsites with their tents and sleeping bags or even rent themselves a caravan or drive one to these spots themselves.
There are over 50 different caravan parks offered on this site and each one is equipped with private ensuites and facilities to park your RV (Recreational Vehicle) or motor home.
There you have it – this is one place that has more than meets the eye, so the next time you visit you have an idea of what it’s all about.
About Peter C.
Peter is a digital nomad who largely writes from Asia, Europe, and South America. Always following the "vibe," he sets up shop in hostels and AirBNB's and continues to entertain us with wild stories from life abroad.
