OK, why not just come and dip your toes in a couple of our rivers, do a bushwalk or two, taste the local beers, say g'day to a few friendly Tasmanians, meet the island's wildlife - and fund your travelling with some part-time work or some conservation work? You'll be surprised how easy it can be to take a working holiday in Tasmania - it's a great way to get a feel for the place, get to know the people, experience the laid-back lifestyle - and pick up some cash.
Australia's Work and Holiday program allows travellers who qualify for the Work and Holiday Visa to undertake temporary employment in Australia and/or study for up to four months. Try picking fruit, serving coffees or working in a vineyard - there's a variety of seasonal work available. Other options include exploring the possibilities of the international exchange and volunteer programs that link Australia and the US.
Friendly people, spectacular wilderness, amazing wildlife, an unspoiled environment, a great range of outdoor experiences and a pleasant cool-temperate maritime climate - they're just some of the attractions of Tasmania, Australia's island state.
Tasmanians would have to be
some of the friendliest people
on the planet and it's got a lot
to do with the fact they live
on one of the most beautiful
islands in the world!
Rachael Taylor
Tasmania ('Tassie' to the locals) is about the same size as the state of West Virginia. Lying between 40° and 42°S, its shores are washed by the Southern Ocean, the Tasman Sea and Bass Strait, which separates the island from the south-east corner of mainland Australia.
Small, people-sized cities; a vibrant art, entertainment and cultural scene; excellent educational facilities and plenty of rewarding employment opportunities - that's another side of the Tassie picture. Why not come and discover the rest for yourself?
From the rugged and glaciated Central Highlands to the sunny beaches of the East Coast - from the wine-growing regions of the Tamar Valley to the rivers and rainforests in the west - from the funky markets and live-music pubs of Hobart to the craggy heights of Cradle Mountain - Tasmania has the lot, in a compact package that's easy to explore.
This is an island where you can walk the famous Overland Track, one of the world's great multi-day adventures; get up-close to rare native animals like the Tasmanian devil; raft the famous Franklin River through World Heritage wilderness; taste award-winning beers and enjoy sensational seafood, fresh from the ocean; and cruise beneath the tallest sea cliffs in the southern hemisphere.
High-quality facilities; a safe, supportive environment; low cost of living and tuition fees; personal attention in small classes - some of the reasons that Tasmania attracts students from around the world.
The University of Tasmania is highly-ranked among Australian universities for the quality of its teaching and research. As well as core disciplines, UTAS specialises in programs with particular relevance to Tasmania, such as Antarctic and Southern Ocean studies and courses in agriculture, aquaculture, forestry and environment.
The Australian Maritime College, with campuses in Launceston and Beauty Point in the north of the island, is Australia's national centre for maritime education, training and research.
Tasmania has a strong system of statewide tertiary vocational training - TAFE Tasmania courses, which are developed in conjunction with employers, provide highly-respected practical training in professional and trade areas. Many courses, such as the certifi cate in outdoor adventure, are less than four months.
