Discover Tasmania: Top 9 Fun Facts to Amaze and Inspire Your Next Adventure

1. Ferocious & Feisty Tasmanian Devils

Don't be fooled by their comically grumpy faces or Disney cartoon fame, these Tazmaniacs are feisty furballs of flesh-devouring fury: The Tasmanian devil, known for its ferocious and boisterous behavior, tends to lunge at attackers and bellow loudly in self-defense, as well as while battling for mating rights or attempting to join a dinner party of feasting on a delectable carcass.
Source => kids.nationalgeographic.com

2. Endangered Vivid Avian Acrobats

Step right up and feast your eyes on the emerald-attired, sky-painted, tangerine-tummied winged wonder – for they may soon become scarcer than a unicorn's hiccup: The Orange-bellied Parrot, native to Tasmania's World Heritage Area, is sadly one of Australia's most endangered birds, with conservation efforts like the Tasmanian OBP Program diligently striving to protect these vividly vibrant avian acrobats from extinction.
Source => nre.tas.gov.au

Did you know that on the Hawaiian island of Kauai, chickens outnumber humans 6 to 1? With over 450,000 of these feathery residents roaming freely, they truly rule the roost! 🐔 Uncover more quirky facts about Kauai here.

=> Fun Facts about Kauai

3. Tasmanian Tree Temper Tantrum

When Tasmanian trees throw a temper tantrum, people start a revolution: The Gordon River in Tasmania was at the heart of a major conservation movement in the 1980s to protect the Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park from being turned into a hydroelectricity project. As a result, the UNESCO Wilderness World Heritage Area was born, preserving the park's unspoiled beauty and allowing visitors to go on Gordon River Cruises, which includes a walk in the woods amongst ancient Huon Pines and a visit to the historical Sarah Island prison site.
Source => gordonrivercruises.com.au

4. Eternal Clone King's Holly Plants

You know that friend who's really old but somehow looks the same age as when you first met them? Perhaps they're related to Tasmania's King's Holly plant, sharing the secret of eternal clones: This ancient flora is estimated to be at least 43,600 years old, reproducing through dropped branches that take root and grow into genetically identical plants — but each individual only lives for about 300 years. Controversially exclusive, there are only 300 King's Holly plants in existence and they're inaccessible to the public at the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens.
Source => amusingplanet.com

5. Wine & "Mona-ginous" Moorilla Winery

If you're ever feeling wine & "Mona-ginous", Tasmania's got just the place for you: Meet the Moorilla Winery at MONA, home to one of the state's oldest vineyards, crafting small-batch premium wines from estate-grown grapes, tickling your palate at Mona's bars and restaurants, or the cellar door, with the option to engage in a little "e-comm-wine-ce" at the Moorilla website!
Source => mona.net.au

6. Aboriginal Ochre Home Makeovers

When the Tasmanian Aboriginals fancied a bit of home redecorating, they'd head down to their local ochre store: Alum Cliffs in Tasmania, a culturally significant site where the vibrant pigment was found. Explore the trail, and you'll stumble upon sculptures and outdoor furniture designed by local Aboriginal artists - even the Flintstones would be jealous! Peek out from the lookout point, 200m above, and witness the Mersey River performing a dramatic stunt as it rushes through a narrow, cliff-lined gorge. All that action amidst the backdrop of the Gog Range, nestled within the Alum Cliffs State Reserve.
Source => parks.tas.gov.au

7. National Penny Farthing Championship

Move over, Tour de France; saddle up for a wheelie different race: The small town of Evandale, Tasmania hosts the National Penny Farthing Championship each year, gathering unique bike enthusiasts on a triangular circuit surrounded by a colonial country fair atmosphere.
Source => evandaletasmania.com

8. Stylish White Wallabies of Bruny Island

Whoever said "you can't be too rich, too thin, or too tan" clearly never met the stylish residents of Bruny Island: Tasmania is home to a one-of-a-kind population of white wallabies, whose genetic abnormality results in white fur, pink eyes, nose, and claws. Due to a lack of predators, they've flourished on the island, becoming local celebrities at sunrise and sunset sightings at Adventure Bay Caravan Park and along Lockley Road—despite their sun-sensitive complexions and increased risk of cancer.
Source => tasmania.com

9. Tiny Tuxedo-clad Little Penguins

They waddle, gobble, and make for a great black-tie affair: Tasmania hosts the tiny powerhouse, the Little Penguin, with an estimated 110,000 to 190,000 breeding pairs primarily on offshore islands. As the smallest penguin species globally, these little tuxedo-clad birds weigh about a kilogram and reach a strapping height of 40 cm. While their dashing attire may impress beach-goers, they face threats like entanglement in fishing nets, oil spills, and predators. So remember, if you happen to meet one at a coastal soirée, mind your manners and follow penguin viewing guidelines.
Source => nre.tas.gov.au