Tasmania

Tasmania is both a state of Australia. This state also includes the Tasmania Island; along with various small islands. The Bass Strait separates it from the continent’s eastern side for only about 240 kilometers.

Tasmania’s area is about 68,401 sqm. By June 2007, the estimated population of Tasmania has reached 493,300 already. For Tasmania’s residents, they take pride in regarding themselves as a Natural State. Tasmania is their so-called “Island of Inspiration”; being gifted with an unspoiled and huge natural environment. In fact, about 37% of this state would comprise of their National Parks, World Heritage Sites and reserves.

Its largest city, Hobart, is also considered as its state capital. It also encompasses the locality of government areas like the City of Glenorchy, the City of Clarence and the City of Hobart itself. Tasmania also has population centers in its northern and north western side. This would be Burnie, Davenport and Launceston.

The erratic economy of Tasmania was initially experienced by their colonists during the 1800s. Over the years, the reasons have remained varied. Lacking in gold rush, lacking in federal infrastructures or highways, lacking in the initiative for open migration, the declines in their mineral and wool economies, lacking in foreign investment, lacking in colonial initiatives and lacking in population would be the more recent probable reasons for their erratic economy.

Many expatriates from the younger generation see Australia differently and flock to this destination for its varied employment opportunities. The main industries in Tasmania would be forestry, mining and tourism. For the mining industry, this would be for zinc, copper, iron and tin.

During the 1940s up to the 1950s, the notion of “Hydro Industrialization” was embodied by the state through Hydro Tasmania. This led to a number of fortunes for a majority of people who would leave and go to deal with the more dominant industries at a specific period of time.

For their manufacturing industry, it encountered declines during the early 1990s. This decline, led to the draining and moving to mainland Australia of some of Tasmania’s experienced and trained working population. Chief urban centers like Sydney and Melbourne are the favorite destinations.

Tasmania also has numerous amounts of sectors that export food, especially for seafood. It was since 2001 when Tasmania had a major turn around. Their current bolstering tourism industry would be traced to several factors like cheaper flights, 2 additional ferries (Spirit of Tasmania) and other favorable conditions pertaining to the economy of Tasmania. Thus, recent studies have shown that a number of Tasmanians who are employed would either work for the government or several private firms. It was also during the 1990s when companies started to outsource their services in Australia. This bolster of call centers allowed fiber-optic connections or broadband services to be easily accessible and reasonably priced.

With regards to the housing market, it was considered undervalued during the year 2000; but later on regained itself and shown some dramatic price increases. A large portion of this would be because of overseas and interstate migration. In fact, Tasmania is already experiencing rental accommodation shortages. This is actually a big threat for the low income earners. 

A large portion of the community thrives in small scaled business. This is even though the small businesses in Australia are continuously struggling to keep up with the fast trend in Australia. This is rather attainable considering a number who have actually surpassed the challenges; like the Moorilla Estates, Tassal and International Catamarans.  

Tasmania’s market is also a bit pricey and there are not much properties being sold here or there are any new developments for that matter. IF there are properties being sold, most of it are either foreclosed or for re-sale. The rental in this part of Australia is also a bit expensive.

Victoria

Victoria is situated in Australia’s south eastern corner. It is, in fact, considered Australia’s smallest mainland state by area. Thus, it is also the most urbanized and densely populated.

In the 1830s, Victoria was merely a small farming community. Upon the discovery of gold last 1851, Victoria was transformed into a top commercial and industrial center. Right now, Victoria is next to New South Wales as to being Australia’s most populous state. Its estimated population as of June 2007 was 5,205,200.

The capital of Victoria is Melbourne. It is also considered the largest city, with Victorians residing there reaching almost 70% in total. Thus, Victoria’s economy is considered as Australia’s second largest. This would account for the nation’s GDP or gross domestic product; which comprises of about a quarter out of the whole Australian GDP.   The gross state product total for Victoria’s current prices has reached more than A$222 billion. This is with an A$44,443 GSP per capita. The economy of Victoria is amazing. Last 2004 alone, it grew to about 3.4%; which would be less than Australia’s 5.2% average. The largest income producing divisions of Victoria would be on property services, financing and insurance. The social & services sector of the community is, in fat, Victoria’s biggest employer. Amidst Victoria’s shift to focus more on the service industries, Victoria still has manufacturing as its largest income producer and employer.

Manufacturing Industry of Victoria 

Equipment and machinery manufacturing is Victoria’s most valuable direct activity. This is being followed by the food & beverage manufacturing; petroleum; as well as chemical and coal manufacturing. The ratio is estimated as 15/100 Victorian workers would be working in these manufacturing industries. In fact, Victoria already has about 318,000 totals of manufacturing workers. This would make Victoria subsequent to the New South Wales for its manufacturing output.

A majority of the industrial plants in Victoria would belong to car manufacturers like Toyota, Holden and Ford. This is aside from other facilities that are hitting it big in Victoria. This would also be the Point Henry and Alcoa’s Portland which is aluminum smelters; the Altona and Geelong oil refineries; and a number of petrochemical facilities situated at Laverton.

Victoria has a very important role for the defense industry. It is the major producer of goods for this sector. Victoria would come next to Geelong for manufacturing this. Thus, industrial growth along the Latrobe Valley can be traced to energy production.

It is also said that Victoria has the highest population amongst other states in Australia by density. It is only the Victorian Alps that would seem to lack permanent settlements. To service this increasing number of residents in Victoria, a Victorian road network was provided. The development of these highways would cater to the main roads and secondary roads from Melbourne to other main cities, as well as rural centers. In fact, many of these roads are being built with freeways standards. Others are generally of reasonable and sealed quality.

A number of public and private operators provide the rail transportation in Victoria. The major operators would be:

1. Connex Melbourne - It runs an electrified and extensive passenger system throughout Melbourne and the suburbs.
2. V/Line- It is currently owned by the government of Victoria. It is operational for a concentrated service to chief regional centers and long distance services.
3. Pacific National- It operates a majority of the freight services.
4. Great Southern Railway- They operates the Overland Melbourne up to Adelaide.
5. Country Link- It operates the XPTs Melbourne up to Sydney.

Aside from this, there are some small scale freight operators and a number of tourist railways that operates the lines of previously state-owned systems. 

Hence, Melbourne has one amongst the largest electrified direct tramway systems worldwide. This is presently operated by the Yarra Trams. It is also considered the most popular types of actual public transport; which also became one of the many tourist attractions in Australia. Other tourist trams would be located over parts of the Bendigo and Ballarat systems. Many tramways museums are found at Haddon and at the Bylands.

Ports of Victoria 

The major international and domestic airport for Victoria would be the Melbourne Airport. There is also the Avalon Airport that uses Jetstar flights. Other smaller airports are scattered throughout the state and are being served by much smaller airlines.

The largest port for general cargo and containers in Australia would be the Port of Melbourne, which is situated on the Yarra River’s mouth and in front of the Port Phillip Bay. Other seaports would be found at Geelong, Portland and Westernport Bay.

Here are some of the popular tourist destinations in Victoria:

1. Melbourne Zoo
2. Crown Casino
3. Melbourne Museum
4. Melbourne Docklands
5. Melbourne Aquarium
6. St Kilda
7. Southbank
8. Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG)
9. The Arts Center
10. National Gallery of Victoria

Historic Cities in Victoria would be:

1. Beechworth
2. Ballarat
3. Bendigo
4. Maldon
5. Castlemaine
6. Daylesford

Some natural attractions in Victoria would be:

1. Wilson’s Promontory
2. The 12 Apostles
3. The Grampians
4. Buchan Caves
5. Fairy Penguins
6. Gippsland Lakes
7. Dandenong Ranges

Fun activities in Victoria would be:

1. Waterskiing at Mildura and Echuca
2. The Australian International Air show at Geelong
3. Swimming in the famous beaches of Torquay, Bells Beach and Queenscliff
4. The wineries of the Morning Peninsula, Yarra Valley
5. Whale watching in Lorne
6. Skiing in the Australian Alps
7. Hang Gliding,  Gliding, Scuba Diving, Bush Walking and Hot Air Ballooning

Victoria is a major city in Australia. This is why the price of land there is the most expensive among other cities in Australia. There are also few developments being built there, possibly due to the need of more vacant spaces to construct in. Rental yield in this part of Australia is very good. Buying a property in Victoria, especially Melbourne is really an expensive investment but very much worth every penny.