The southernmost part of the Australian continent isn’t on the mainland — it lies offshore, on a small island. Tasmania, known to Australians as “Tassie”, is loved by visitors and locals for its distinct character and for offering a break from the bustle of the mainland. The state isn’t only rich in stunning natural scenery. Tasmania has also made a name for itself as a flourishing centre for cultural and artistic development. And it has plenty to offer food and wine lovers too, with some of Australia’s best produce and wines coming from the island.
Tasmania At a Glance
Tasmania is a small and modest island off the south-east of mainland Australia. Its residents are often said to be among the happiest and healthiest people in Australia.
Population
Tasmania has more residents than the Northern Territory (NT) and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), Australia’s two territories. Among the Australian states, however, Tasmania has the smallest population, with just over half a million people. By population density, Tasmania ranks fourth nationally, with just over seven people per square kilometre.
Main Regions
These are some of the most popular and best-known regions in Tasmania:
Hobart and Surrounds
Around 220,000 people live in Tasmania’s capital — and largest city — Hobart. In other Australian states, a city of this size would often be considered a regional town. Hobart has reinvented itself, transforming from a sleepy coastal settlement into a contemporary destination for alternative thinkers and progressive culture. This has made it especially appealing to millennials looking to escape the higher cost of living on the mainland.
Launceston and North Coast
Launceston is the second-largest city and, being in the north of the island, has a slightly warmer climate than the south. In and around Launceston — and across northern Tasmania — there are countless sights and job opportunities. The rugged north-coast shoreline and the region’s many small historic towns are well worth a visit. You can spend your time there on long bushwalks or day trips to the well-known Tamar Valley wine region. Devonport is also on the north coast — this is where the Spirit of Tasmania car ferry docks, connecting Tasmania with mainland Australia.
West Coast
Tasmania’s west coast is wild, rugged and relatively sparsely populated. That makes it an exceptional place to explore nature on foot or by four-wheel drive. You can also experience Tasmania’s historic and cultural side here. Inland, you’ll find many mining towns and ports dating back to the early years of Australian settlement. The region is full of scenic charm, history and natural wonders.
East Coast
The east coast, with its rolling terrain and impressive flora and fauna, has plenty of sights and is a little more developed than the west coast. Tasmania’s capital, Hobart, is located in the southern part of the east coast. The cooler climate creates ideal conditions for a wide range of produce. Tasmania is known for nuts, berries and seafood, as well as some of Australia’s best cheeses. The region is also home to internationally recognised and outstanding wine-growing areas.
Climate
Tasmania is Australia’s coolest state, as the island is closest to the South Pole. Cold southern air strongly influences the region, and Tasmania’s highest peak, Mount Wellington, can see snow in winter. Overall, winters are mild and often wetter, while summers are cool and pleasant. Because Tasmania receives regular rainfall throughout the year, it is far less prone to drought and bushfires than many mainland states.
Lifestyle
Tasmania has a character all of its own. The physical separation from mainland Australia creates a sense of remoteness and independence. Tasmanians are friendly and welcoming, and place a strong value on social life and community.
Sports
As elsewhere in Australia, Australian football is popular here too. But the island’s favourite sporting pastime is the classic game of football — known in Australia as soccer. It is far more widespread in Tasmania than in most other parts of the country. There are also plenty of options for adventurous water sports, such as rafting on Tasmania’s many wild rivers.
Cuisine
Tasmania is known for some of Australia’s highest-quality produce, including fruit, nuts, dairy products, beef, mushrooms and some of the country’s best seafood. Tasmanian salmon can be found on supermarket shelves across Australia, and coastal fisheries produce renowned Tasmanian oysters. Tasmania’s dairy industry is known for distinctive soft cheeses, and Tasmanian apples are second to none. Signature dishes include Flinders Island lamb, as well as pork cooked with cherries or apples.
Beverages
Tasmania is home to many wineries, with a particular focus on Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir. Some of Australia’s best sparkling wines are also produced here. In addition, the island has become known for high-quality Australian whisky, appreciated by enthusiasts around the world. The Cascade Brewery has also made a name for itself, known for crisp lager and distinctive ginger beer.
Cost of Living
Compared with other Australian cities, Tasmania’s capital is, in many ways, noticeably more affordable. This is especially evident in property prices, which are significantly lower than in Australia’s more densely populated areas. Depending on the location, houses can be found from around A$200,000 (approx. €130,000). In the larger cities of Launceston or Hobart, average house prices are around A$700,000–900,000 (approx. €450,000–580,000).
Even though wage levels in Tasmania are lower than in places like Sydney or Melbourne, the generally lower cost of living more than makes up for that difference. This makes a comfortable lifestyle possible even on an average income. That is one of the reasons many younger people from other parts of Australia are moving to Tasmania.
Flora and Fauna
Tasmania’s separation from mainland Australia has meant its wildlife has evolved in many ways differently from the rest of the country. There are many species found only in Tasmania, including the endangered Tasmanian devil. The Tasmanian tiger — long thought to be extinct — is also, according to rumours, still spotted from time to time. Tasmania is home to various species of platypus and penguins, as well as a wide diversity of plant life.
Main Places of Interest
Tasmania offers many attractions, both natural and man-made.
Salamanca Place, Hobart
Built from sandstone in the 19th century, these impressive buildings originally served as industrial warehouses in central Hobart. Today, they have been repurposed and now house restaurants, shops, galleries and offices. Weekend markets and other events take place along the cobblestone streets. Just a short walk away are the docks, home to some of Hobart’s best seafood and fish shops.
Mount Wellington
A 21-kilometre mountain road leads to the summit of Mount Wellington, offering a breathtaking 360-degree view over Hobart and the surrounding area. At 1,270 metres above sea level, the outlook is spectacular. The mountain itself is a popular destination for bushwalking and mountain biking, and snow can occasionally be seen here in winter.
Three Capes Track
This 48-kilometre track, which is also suitable for less experienced hikers, follows the cliffs near Port Arthur. The full route can be completed in four days and three nights. The Three Capes Track can be walked year-round, although appropriate warm gear is required during the colder months. Along the way through pristine eucalyptus forests, there are many opportunities to spot Tasmania’s remarkable wildlife, including wombats, echidnas and wallabies.
MONA
The Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) can be reached via a 30-minute ferry ride that takes visitors directly to the entrance. A spiral staircase leads down into an underground museum filled with thought-provoking contemporary art as well as antiquities from earlier eras.
Tamar Valley Wine Region
The Tamar Valley wine region is considered by some to be among the world’s top ten. Known for cool-climate Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir, more than thirty cellar doors in the island’s oldest wine region offer a complete Tasmanian wine experience. The wines are best enjoyed alongside produce from Launceston’s farmers’ market.
Main Industries
Due to its geographic location and climate, a range of industries has developed in Tasmania, creating strong demand for both skilled and unskilled workers.
Metals and Manufacturing
Copper, zinc and aluminium are mined and processed in Tasmania. These materials are exported both in processed and unprocessed form. As a result, manufacturing also plays a role in Tasmania’s economy, particularly in the maritime and textile sectors, which remain important economic factors on the island.
Tourism
Tasmania’s natural wonders have long attracted visitors from Australia and overseas. The small island south of the mainland holds strong appeal for travellers. Nature lovers, in particular, are drawn to the lush and fertile landscapes, but there is plenty on offer beyond that as well. Hobart’s role as an innovative centre and Tasmania’s distinctive culinary highlights have further increased the state’s popularity as a tourism destination.
Wood and Paper
Thanks to reliable rainfall and ideal growing conditions, Tasmania’s interior is well suited to timber and paper production. Around half of Australia’s woodchip and paper output comes from Tasmania. Laminated veneers and particleboard are also produced here.
Agriculture and Fisheries
Tasmania’s fisheries supply outstanding-quality abalone, lobster, oysters and salmon to the rest of Australia. The Tasmanian countryside also produces excellent grass-fed beef for export, and Tasmanian cheese is in strong demand as well.
Education
Tasmania offers a mix of public and private primary and secondary schools. School attendance is compulsory until Year 10 (typically at age 16). Most students then continue with Years 11 and 12, and there is also a broad range of tertiary education options through vocational colleges. The island is home to its own university, the University of Tasmania, with campuses spread across the state. Due to its proximity to the southern region, Tasmania is also used as a base for Antarctic research.
Fun Facts about Tasmania
- Rosebury on Tasmania’s west coast is home to Australia’s steepest golf course.
- Tasmania is often said to have the cleanest air in the world.
- Although Tasmania is one of Australia’s wettest states, Hobart is the country’s second-driest capital city by rainfall.
- Tasmania is home to the Huon pine, one of the world’s oldest tree species, estimated to be around 10,500 years old.
- The Tasmanian devil, native to Tasmania, is the world’s largest carnivorous marsupial. It is endangered due to a facial tumour disease.
Top Five Reasons to Live in Tasmania
- Cost of Living. Tasmania is one of the most affordable places to live in Australia, potentially providing a relaxed lifestyle.
- Food and Wine. Tasmania is home to some of the best seafood and beef in the world, as well as cheese and produce, with excellent cold-climate wine.
- Island Living. It takes only hours to drive from one side of the island to the other. Everything is so close together, making for excellent day trips.
- Climate. Enjoy that Australian laid-back and easy-going lifestyle, without the heat of continental Australia.
- Housing Market. With affordability quite often comes an excellent opportunity for investment, with Australia’s fastest-growing housing market.
Closing Thoughts
The small island south of mainland Australia is full of wonder, imagination and creativity. Once dismissed by some as outdated, Tasmania’s image has since changed. Today, it is a centre of cultural and artistic diversity, with a thriving food scene and abundant natural beauty. Tasmania is a lush and fertile place that offers a high quality of life. Some even describe it as the perfect place to retreat into nature and reconnect with oneself. Tasmania offers the opportunity to pursue dreams — whatever they may be.
Visa options for Tasmania
For skilled migration purposes, all of Tasmania — including Hobart — is classified as “regional”. This means you can settle anywhere in Tasmania under one of the regional visa subclasses, without restriction. General information on Australian skilled visas is available here.
What can the visa pathway look like?
There are different ways to make the dream of living and working in Australia a reality. The key is choosing the strategy that brings you closest to your goal — in other words, the visa option that offers the best prospects for your individual situation. Each visa subclass has its own requirements and comes with specific rights and conditions. The most suitable approach always depends on personal circumstances.
For this reason, it’s important to take a structured approach to your Australian visa pathway and clarify the key requirements in advance to avoid issues during the application process. Visapath Australia is happy to support you in mapping out your pathway to an Australian work visa, advising on the available options and guiding you step by step along the way.
