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Tasmania, always nicknamed "Tassie", is an island south of Australia, the second smallest Australian state, and its small size by Australian standards (roughly 300 km x 300 km) makes it easily hitchable in a single afternoon. Hitchhiking on this island is probably a bit easier than on the main land.
Connor and Tine hitchhiked almost the entire east coast of Tasmania as well as traversing across to Launceston and Deloraine with very little problems.. Most people in Tasmania still maintain that loca mentality and are more than willing to give you a lift however far you may need to go. We found Hobart the only really struggle since there is not much area for people to pull over and the speed limit quickly jumps up to 100 km. The great thing about Tassie is that its never a really long distance to anywhere like on the mainland. Two different times we got rides directly from Hobart most of the way up to Launceston and vis versa from Perth, just south of Launie, to the Hobart area.
==How to get there==
To cross Bass' Strait, you would have to find other lift than the ones on the road. Maybe it is possible to hitchhike a boat, but so far no hitchhikers reported such experience. If you're tempted, keep in mind that's a 400km 300km crossing, and Bass' strait has a quite bad reputation among seamen for its tempests.
===Flight===
As for the rest of Australia, flights might be the easiest way to reach Tasmania, and you will find airports in Hobart and Launceston.
Although because the population is quite low there are fewer flights than more international destinations like Perth, Brisbane, or Adelaide. Don't expect more than 8 flights a day, even for [https://hobartairport.com.au/ Hobart "international" airport], and no real fewer "Hot fares". Air Without them air fares seem to start at 89$ with [https://booking.jetstar.com/au Jetstar], not really cheaper than a ferry and a really less ecological.
===Ferry===
==Geography & Climate ==
Its particular position, southernmost land of the Australian continent, leads to a very oceanic climate. Indeed, situated in the 40ies South, the West Coast takes each depression coming from the Indian Ocean. The inland has lots of mountains, although not really high (1600m max) by European standards, but that can get freezing cold and wet because of the climate. In the opposite way,Hobart, Launceston and the East Coast are really drydrier, and even in winter this can create huge and really dangerous bushfires. All these explanations to give some Tasmanian specific advices :
* Be aware of the difference of climate between both coasts. You can easily lose 10 degrees in windchill ! Possibly watch [http://www.bom.gov.au/australia/charts/viewer/index.shtml Bureau of Meteorology] forecasts.
* Be really careful if you see bushfires, especially while camping at night. Bushfires can cover great distances very rapidly because of common strong winds, and every year bushwalkers get asphyxiated in their tent. That's the first cause of mortality for hikers. Avoid them as soon as you see them if you don't have a lift.
* [[Hobart]] Capital of the state, still 200 000 inhabitants though, but as it means almost half of the state's population, it's very easy to find a direct lift from anywhere in the state. "International" airport where you might have your first contact with Tasmania.
Hitchhiking out of Hobart can be rough because you may need to cross the Tasman bridge which is more or less only a high way but we found a few places that might be of some help. Along the Brooker Highway going north towards Launceston, in the North Hobart area next to the Botanical Gardens, we found a few spots with shoulders where cars can park. Although the speed limit is high there people can see you from a long ways away and have no trouble pulling over.
*[[Launceston]] Same as for Hobart, very easy to find a direct lift in just an afternoon. Also have an airport although air fares might be bit more expensive than Hobart.
* [[Devonport]] Where you can catch the ferry [https://www.spiritoftasmania.com.au/ Spirit of Tasmania] to Melbourne.
* [[St. Helens]]
== Personal experience ==
Pls add info
== Nomadwiki & Trashwiki ==
{{nomadwiki}}
{{States Australia}}
[[Category:Australia]]