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General Information

Tasmania – a natural haven

Tasmania’s isolation from mainland Australia has ensured the survival of many plants, animals and birds that are rare, or even extinct, elsewhere in the country. Visitors are often surprised at how accessible Tasmania’s native wildlife is. In many areas on even a short bushwalk you can come across a pademelon, wombat or wallaby.

If you are lucky you will see the one of our most endangered birds, the 40-spotted pardalote - Maria and Bruny islands are their preferred environments. Of the many birds that make Tasmania their home 12 are endemic.

Many of the animals are nocturnal, so your best chance of spotting one is in the evening. Because many of the animals are active at night, we ask all visitors to take particular care when driving at dusk or after dark.

Our Wildlife Map shows you the best spots to see our unique animals no matter where you are on the island.

There are 33 native terrestrial and 41 marine mammals in Tasmania.
Find out more about Tasmania's birds and land animals.

Tasmania's Sealife

Tasmania's marine animals are among its most impressive wildlife, ranging from magnificent southern right whales surging past our east coast to delicate sea dragons drifting near forests of giant kelp. You can cruise beside some of the highest sea cliffs in the southern hemisphere in search of seals, dolphins and albatrosses. But even many easily accessible beaches offer up their secrets at dusk, as little penguins waddle in from the ocean beneath clouds of shearwaters returning to their burrows.

Because our oceans are still clean "forests" of giant kelp - the fastest growing plant in the world - are found off the east coast; perfect for diving.

Find out more about Tasmania's marine animals and plants.

Tasmania's Rare Plants

Tasmania is home to living dinosaurs – plants that date back to the Gondwana super-continent more than 95 million years ago – and trees so tall they appear to touch the sky. Trees such as Huon, Celery Top and King Billy pine are found nowhere else in the world. Find out more.

Wilderness Areas

About 40 per cent of Tasmania is protected within national parks and reserves, and you’ll be surprised how easy it is to experience the wilderness – on a Dove Lake or Russell Falls walking track, from a cruise boat off Bruny Island’s south coast or by light plane to Melaleuca, deep in the south-west.

You can explore the dramatic landscapes of the world’s last great temperate wilderness – in the rugged mountain ranges, dense rainforests, wild rivers and glaciated peaks of the west coast and Central Highlands you’ll discover wildlife, scenery and vegetation unlike anywhere else on earth.

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