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90 Tasmania Trivia Questions, Answers, and Fun Facts

How much do you know about Tasmania? This category is for trivia questions and answers related to Tasmania (Geography). Each one is filled with fun facts and interesting information.
1 Mt Wellington is the imposing backdrop to Hobart. How high is it?
Answer: 1271 metres

Mt Wellington was named for the Duke of Wellington. The Mountain, as it is locally known, is often snow-capped in winter. Hobart, however, can only rarely experience a white Christmas.
  From Quiz: A Little Bit of Hobart
2 We're in the south at a popular tourist attraction. Rich in history, reportedly haunted and the site of a devastating shooting massacre in 1996. Where are we?
Answer: Port Arthur

The ruins of the penal settlement of Port Arthur have attracted tourists for many years. It is one of the most haunted sites in the state.
  From Quiz: Out and About in Tasmania
3 Which rivers are most closely associated with Launceston in Australia?
Answer: North Esk, Tamar & South Esk

The Mersey River runs through Devonport while the Derwent runs through Hobart. The North and South Esk Rivers are tributaries of the Tamar River, which itself is technically an estuary not a river.
    Your options: [ South Esk, North Esk & Mersey ] [ West Esk, South Esk & Mersey ] [ Tamar & Derwent ] [ North Esk, Tamar & South Esk ]
  From Quiz: Do You Know Launceston?
4 In what year did Port Arthur close as a prison?
Answer: 1877

Port Arthur was self-sufficient during its time as a prison, with convicts providing labour. However, productivity fell off once the British stopped sending convicts to Australia. Most of the buildings were gutted by fire during the 20 years following its closure.
  From Quiz: Port Arthur - Not Just For Criminals Anymore!
5 Launceston (pronounced LON-sess-ton) is the biggest city in the north of Tasmania. There is also at least one other town or city called Launceston. Where is it?
Answer: Cornwall, England

Launceston, situated on the Tamar River in Tasmania, was named after the birthplace of Governor King. Founded in 1805, its original name was "Patersonia", after its founder and first commandant, Colonel Paterson. The other (earlier) Launceston is known as "the Gateway to Cornwall". It also has a Tamar River.
  From Quiz: There's Also One in Tasmania
6 What is the 'nickname' for Tasmania?
Answer: Apple Isle

Tasmania is called the 'Apple Isle' because it produces and harvests many different kinds of apples, and other fruits. The weather is ideal for it.
  From Quiz: Tasmania
7 Which best describes Tasmania?
Answer: An island state of Australia

Tasmania is an island, but it is also a state of Australia. Tasmanians use the same currency and speak the same language as other Australians. At one time, Tasmania was a colony known as Van Diemens Land, while New South Wales and Victoria were also colonies in their own right. Because of its size and geographical position, Tasmania may not conform with your view of typical Australia, but Australia has room for just about every environment there is to have!
    Your options: [ An island territory of Australia ] [ An island state of Australia ] [ A tropical island near Australia ] [ A northern state of Australia ]
  From Quiz: The Island of Tasmania
8 What was the name of Tasmania's VFL football team?
Answer: Tassie Devils

Tasmania is yet to have a side in the AFL.
  From Quiz: Tasmania: The Island State
9 Hobart lies along the Derwent River. Where does the river originate?
Answer: Lake St Clair

The Derwent was named by Commodore John Hayes in 1793. At 187 kilometres long, it is the second longest river in the state.
  From Quiz: A Little Bit of Hobart
10 This penal settlement has become a tourist attraction. A natural feature that attracts tourists are the Painted Cliffs. Where are we?
Answer: Maria Island

Maria Island was named by Abel Tasman in honour of the wife of the Governor-in-Chief of the Dutch East Indies, Anthony Van Diemen. It has been twice used as a penal settlement, first from 1825 to 1832 and again from 1842 to 1851. It has since been used for sheep grazing, grape growing and cement mining. (Cement mining is the procurement of the raw materials used to make cement. These include limestone and silica.) In 1972 the entire island became a national park and has since become a popular tourist attraction.
  From Quiz: Out and About in Tasmania
11 Adjoining Launceston's Town Hall is which public space?
Answer: Civic Square

Also adjoining Civic Square are such public facilities as the town library and Henty House (which houses a Service Tasmania oultet and Government offices).
    Your options: [ Quadrant Mall ] [ City Park ] [ Brisbane St Mall ] [ Civic Square ]
  From Quiz: Do You Know Launceston?
12 Which major city of Tasmania is Port Arthur closest to?
Answer: Hobart

Hobart is Tasmania's capital, located in the south of the state. It has a population of about 198,000. It is situated on the Derwent River, and is overlooked by Mount Wellington.
    Your options: [ Launceston ] [ Hobart ] [ Devonport ] [ Burnie ]
  From Quiz: Port Arthur - Not Just For Criminals Anymore!
13 The Mersey River flows from the mountains down through the town of Latrobe and the city of Devonport in Tasmania. There is another Mersey River, somewhere in the UK. Where is it (near)?
Answer: Liverpool

The Mersey River that flows from Stockport near Manchester for some 70 miles to Liverpool where it empties into the Irish Sea. It was immortalised in a song about its ferry, and also in the name "Merseybeat", applied to a kind of music. A Mersey River Festival is held annually in Liverpool, while Latrobe, on the Tasmanian Mersey, holds its own festival called "Henley on the Mersey" in January.
  From Quiz: There's Also One in Tasmania
14 What is the capital city of Tasmania?
Answer: Hobart

Hobart is in the south of the state, while all of the other major towns and cities are in the north of the state.
  From Quiz: Tasmania
15 How many cities does Tasmania have?
Answer: six

For many years Tasmania had two cities, Hobart in the south and Launceston in the north east. Devonport in the north west then attained city status, and a few years later, Burnie, also in the north west, was also a city. Meanwhile, with no fanfare, two suburbs of Hobart, Glenorchy and Clarence, had also acquired city status, so now there are six.

To become a city in Tasmania, a town must attain a population of 25,000 people and hold that population for a designated period. Cityhood is permanent, so although Devonport's population has dipped just below the 25,000 mark, it retains its status.

Hobart is the second oldest capital city in Australia. It is the smallest and most southerly of the capitals.
  From Quiz: The Island of Tasmania
16 What is Tasmania's capital city?
Answer: Hobart

Hobart is the destination for the yachts in the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race
  From Quiz: Tasmania: The Island State
17 What body of water does the Derwent River empty into?
Answer: Storm Bay

Abel Tasman was the first known European explorer to visit Storm Bay. Lying in the Roaring 40s, Hobart is well known for high winds which can reach hurricane-force at times.
  From Quiz: A Little Bit of Hobart
18 Launceston's show grounds are located in which suburb?
Answer: Invermay

The show used to be held annually at the Elphin show grounds until the recent move to the Railyards at Invermay.
    Your options: [ Elphin ] [ Mowbray ] [ Newstead ] [ Invermay ]
  From Quiz: Do You Know Launceston?
19 What was the name of the man who committed Australia's largest mass murder at Port Arthur?
Answer: Martin Bryant

Martin Bryant killed 35 people on 28th April, 1996. Wade Frankum killed 7 people in a shopping mall in Sydney on the 17th August, 1992. Julian Knight committed the 'Hoddle Street Massacre' on 9th August, 1987, killing 7 people. Ivan Milat was convicted of seven counts of murder and one count of attempted murder in the infamous "Backpacker Murders" in New South Wales.
  From Quiz: Port Arthur - Not Just For Criminals Anymore!
20 Latrobe, Tasmania, is a pleasant town up river from the city of Devonport. There is also another Latrobe, somewhere in the northern hemisphere. Where is it?
Answer: Pennsylvania

Latrobe, which became a city in 1999, is located near Chestnut Ridge in Pennsylvania. Unusually, it wasn't this Latrobe that gave the Tasmanian town its name; it was named after Charles Joseph La Trobe.
This causes confusion because there is a La Trobe University in Victoria.
  From Quiz: There's Also One in Tasmania
21 What is the name of the river that Hobart lies along?
Answer: Derwent River

The Derwent River is one of the world's finest deep-water harbours.
  From Quiz: Tasmania
22 Where is Tasmania's capital situated?
Answer: In the Southeast
  From Quiz: Tasmania: The Island State
23 Hobart's central square is named for which explorer?
Answer: John Franklin

Sir John Franklin, Lieutenant Governor (1836-1846) of Van Diemen's Land, disappeared searching for the Northwest Passage in 1847. The magnificent Department of Treasury and Finance building occupies the western end of the square.
    Your options: [ Matthew Flinders ] [ Abel Tasman ] [ James Cook ] [ John Franklin ]
  From Quiz: A Little Bit of Hobart
24 Millions of years ago the South Esk River once flowed along a different course to today. Which street is now built over the ancient river's path?
Answer: Margaret Street

In geologic ages past, the South Esk met the Tamar from the south rather than the west as it does today. It once flowed down where the Southern Outlet and Margaret Street now run before meeting the Tamar. Time, silt deposits and general geologic changes moved the rivers' course, resulting in the formation of Cateract Gorge.
    Your options: [ Gorge Street ] [ Gooderich Street ] [ St John Street ] [ Margaret Street ]
  From Quiz: Do You Know Launceston?
25 In 1834, a prison was set up for juvenile offenders close to Port Arthur. What was its name?
Answer: Point Puer

Point Puer was established as a juvenile detention centre to keep younger boys away from the hardened criminals in the Port Arthur Penitentiary, and teach them trades that could be useful after their release. It closed in 1849. Risdon prison is a maximum/medium security prison for males located near Hobart. Casuarina is the main maximum security prison in Western Australia, with a capacity of 446. Won Wron is a minimum security prison farm located in Victoria.
  From Quiz: Port Arthur - Not Just For Criminals Anymore!
26 Jericho, Tasmania, is down near Mud Walls and the Jordan River. There is another place called Jericho. Where is it?
Answer: Israel

The Tasmanian Jericho (settled in the 19th Century) is pretty and peaceful. So is Bagdad, next door. The other Jericho, in Israel, is one of the oldest cities in the world, dating back 9,000 years.
  From Quiz: There's Also One in Tasmania
27 What is the second largest city in Tasmania?
Answer: Launceston

Launceston is the biggest city in the north of the state.
  From Quiz: Tasmania
28 What is the name of Australia's first legal casino which is situated in Tasmania?
Answer: Wrest Point
  From Quiz: Tasmania: The Island State
29 What is NOT correct about Hobart?
Answer: It is Tasmania's main port.

Devonport, in the northern part of the state, is its main port. Hobart has one of the world's finest deep-water ports; most shipping into Hobart is done by cruise liners during the summer.
  From Quiz: A Little Bit of Hobart
30 Approximately how many acres does the Port Arthur historic site cover?
Answer: 100 acres

One hundred acres is equal to 40 hectares. Port Arthur enjoys around 200,000 visitors per year.
  From Quiz: Port Arthur - Not Just For Criminals Anymore!
31 George Town is Tasmania's oldest town. It is also the oldest town in Australia. (All the older ones have now become cities.) There is another town or city called George Town though. Where is it?
Answer: Cayman Islands

George Town is in the Cayman Islands. It is a major offshore banking and business center with some 500 banks. It is also a tourist centre.
Kentucky, Guana (an island in the Bahamas) and Washington all have towns or cities called Georgetown.
  From Quiz: There's Also One in Tasmania
32 What is the highest mountain in Tasmania?
Answer: Mt Ossa

Mt Ossa is the highest mountain at 1617m above sea level, Mt Wellington is in Hobart, Ben Lomond is a favourite mountain for skiers and Cradle Mountain is one of the biggest tourist attractions in the state.
  From Quiz: Tasmania
33 What is a Tasmanian devil?
Answer: A small black and white marsupial, native to Tasmania

Tasmanian devils (Sarcophilus harrisii) are carnivores, weighing in at between 6 and 8 kgs. They feed on carrion, but have been known to take the odd chook. Devils don't attack humans unless provoked, and hand reared ones are friendly and easy going. The devil has very strong jaws and can consume a carcass, bones and all, which makes it a valuable cleaner of the bush. Although not particularly big, the devil is the world's largest surviving carnivorous marsupial.
  From Quiz: The Island of Tasmania
34 What is the name of the Tasmanian men's state cricket team?
Answer: Tassie Tigers
  From Quiz: Tasmania: The Island State
35 What island is accessible only by ferry and is a popular day trip from Hobart?
Answer: Bruny

Bruny Island is named for French explorer Bruny d'Entrecasteaux. Truganini, the last known full-blood Tasmanian Aboriginal, was born on the island around 1812. She died in Hobart in 1876.
  From Quiz: A Little Bit of Hobart
36 'The Nut' is the name given to a large headland. At 152 metres it dominates which town that huddles beneath it?
Answer: Stanley

Located on the North West Coast of Tasmania and 22km from Smithton, Stanley is regarded as an historic town. Apart from exploring the beautifully preserved buildings of the township, you can follow the walking path to the top of the Nut or take the chair lift to the summit of this large chunk of rock to enjoy spectacular views from the top. The Nut is actually the remains of an ancient volcano active some 25 - 70 million years ago.
    Your options: [ George ] [ Wynyard ] [ Somerset ] [ Stanley ]
  From Quiz: Out and About in Tasmania
37 What was the name of the first commandant of the Port Arthur settlement?
Answer: John Rusell

Thomas Mason was a resident of the post-penal period.
  From Quiz: Port Arthur - Not Just For Criminals Anymore!
38 What is the name of the Australian Football League ground in Launceston, that is the adopted home of the Hawthorn 'Hawks', and the St Kilda 'Saints'?
Answer: Aurora Stadium

These two football teams decided to bring their home games over to Tasmania, as a way of increasing their membership numbers. They have been highly successful and they love playing there.
Bellerive is the state's cricket ground in Hobart.
  From Quiz: Tasmania
39 Which climate type best describes Tasmania?
Answer: cool temperate

Tasmania enjoys a cool temperate climate with four distinct seasons. In summer it is warm enough to swim in the sea or rivers, with day time temperatures ranging from around 17 to 30 degrees Celsius. Winter brings some frost and snow to the highlands, with day time temperatures in the low to mid teens. English trees and flowers usually thrive in Tasmania, but the landscape outside the towns and farming districts is dominated by native bush.
    Your options: [ wet tropics ] [ cool temperate ] [ dry tropics ] [ arid desert ]
  From Quiz: The Island of Tasmania
40 What year did Port Arthur become a prison settlement?
Answer: 1833

Located on the Tasman Peninsula in Tasmania's far south.
  From Quiz: Tasmania: The Island State
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