The island haven of Tasmania is home to some of Australia’s most astonishing landscape and wildlife. A land of vast contradictions, 20 per cent of Tasmania is listed as World Heritage area of outstanding natural and cultural significance. Tasmania is famous for its fascinating heritage, dramatic history and rugged wilderness. The state is committed to the development of ecotourism, utilising its natural beauty and splendour through nature-based tourism operations such as the Tahune Air walk, the Freycinet Peninsula, Hastings Caves and the Port Arthur Historic Site. The true magnificence of Tasmania lies in the accessibility of its plentiful attractions and activities. Beaches, mountains, caves, national parks, majestic lakes and historical remains are simply a short drive away. Tasmania remains largely untouched and is exceptionally proud of its wilderness and heritage thus earning a place in the hearts of many visitors.

Tasmanians are proud to share with you a unique island lifestyle. Expect warmth in our welcome and memories that linger for a lifetime. Though just an hour's flight from Melbourne, Tasmania is a world away from the bustle of mainland Australia.

The 2005 Ecotourism Australia National Conference will be more than an exhilarating forum for sharing experiences, responses, wisdom and skills; it will be a rejuvenating journey for body and soul made possible by the sheer diversity and abundance of natural attractions close to Hobart.

Tasmania has developed a rich and complex personality in its landscape, people, history, gourmet food and cool climate wines. It's an unaffected island with many layers and each unfolds to reveal new discoveries and surprises that enliven and inspire. Locals will greet you as a friend. Fruit growers will farewell you with a punnet of fresh berries - and a few tips on how to grow them yourself. Winemakers will walk with you through their vineyard as you sample our famous wines.

Take time on your visit to explore the dramatic landscapes of the world's last great temperate wilderness - in rugged mountain ranges, dense rainforests and wild rivers you'll discover wildlife, scenery and vegetation unlike anywhere else on Earth. In the south, the Huon Trail and East Coast Escape thread their way through World Heritage forests and coasts. Along the way, take the time to savour the wines and fresh produce of the regions.

Find the soul of the island through its living history and contemporary assets. Take a walk in the footsteps of the first Tasmanians who lived here tens of thousands of years ago. Arriving by land bridge from mainland Australia, Tasmanian Aborigines were isolated due to rising sea levels for 10,000 years until Europeans arrived and settled. Once known as Van Diemens Land, Tasmania was established in 1803 as a British penal colony and over the next 50 years, 73,000 convicts were transported by sea for crimes ranging from minor misdemeanours to political activism. The marks of a convict chisel on hand-cut sandstone in the cities and villages are a reminder of the island's colourful past.

Your conference venue, Hobart, is Australia's second oldest city and is now renowned for its innovative arts and crafts, maritime lifestyle and festivals. The sandstone Georgian warehouses along Salamanca have been restored as artists' studios, galleries, cafes and restaurants in the historic Sullivans Cove precinct, where the street is closed each Saturday for Hobart's famous Salamanca Market.

The island is also an endless larder of fresh produce. Gourmet food and premium wine created from unpolluted waters and fertile soils have earned Tasmania an enviable reputation among gourmets around the globe. The cool climate provides a longer growing season making conditions ideal for seafood and farmed Atlantic salmon, cheeses and stone fruits, some of Australia's best beers and specialist products like saffron, wasabi, black truffles and honey from the World Heritage Area.

For more information on Tasmania, visit:
www.discovertasmania.com.au.