Emergency phone number is 000.
Non-urgent police calls: 6230 2111.
In Hobart 24-hour emergency casualty care is available at the Royal Hobart Hospital, 48 Liverpool St 6222 8423; at the Hobart Private, cnr Collins and Argyle Sts 6214 3080; and Calvary Hospital, 49 Augusta Rd Lenah Valley 6278 5444.

Normal retail hours in Hobart are 9am-6pm, Monday-Friday, and all-day trading for larger retail outlets on Saturdays and Sundays. However, there are many variations. Some shops open until 9pm Fridays. Salamanca Market is on every Saturday 8.30am -3pm. Major shopping areas are: Hobart city, the Salamanca precinct, Sandy Bay, Eastlands, Glenorchy Central, Northgate, Kingston, New Norfolk, Sorell and Huonville. See the Welcome to Hobart Guide for details of shopping and dining information.

Check out the online brochure for Wine South on the Tasmanian Wine Route website which is essential for visitors interested in sampling our award-winning, cool-climate wines at vineyards or cellar doors.

You will need a National Parks pass to enter any of Tasmania's 19 national parks - all money raised protects and maintains the parks for the future.

For a $50 Holiday pass, you gain entry for your car and up to 8 passengers to all national parks; or $30 per person. The pass is vaild for eight weeks. Occasional users can buy a day pass costing $20 per car, while walkers, cyclists, motorcyclists and coach passengers pay $10 per day. Passes are available at major national parks and Visitor Information Centres.

Hobart offers nightclubs and pubs with live music. For upcoming events check out the gig guide at Naked Dwarf

The Mercury newspaper has daily up-to-date information. The Mercury also has current cinema screenings at Village Cinema's in Hobart, Glenorchy and Eastlands.

The internationally-acclaimed Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra performs from its home in the Federation Concert Hall at the Hotel Grand Chancellor. For information about their upcoming concert series visit the TSO Website

Enjoy a live performance at the Theatre Royal, Australia's oldest theatre.

Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery is a rich cultural experience offering contemporary art and design collections as well as icons from the past. Click on the above link for more information about current Exhibitions and Events.

Salamanca Place is the centre of Hobart's flourishing arts community with many galleries and studios. North Hobart also has several good galleries.

The State Library of Tasmania has excellent heritage collections and have regular displays and exhibitions.

Tasmania's South is an outdoor adventurer's paradise - whether you're looking for soft adventure or the full adrenalin rush.

Our region offers outstanding experiences - wilderness flights [seaplane, light aircraft and helicopter], jet-boating, horseriding, rafting, scuba diving, sea kayaking, climbing and abseiling, 4WD and all-terrain touring, cycling and mountain biking.

For more information visit Networking Tasmanian Adventures

Southern Tasmania is one of the world's best walking destinations and we have walking tracks through World Heritage wilderness, along magnificent beaches and coastlines, through deep forests and alongside pristine lakes and rivers.

There are challenging multi-day expeditions and short easy walks for pleasure and relaxation. Two free booklets, Tasmania's National Parks, Forests, Walks & Waterways and Tasmania's Great Short Walks are excellent sources of information, or visit Parks and Wildlife Service Tasmania.

Some of the best wild trout fishing in the world is available in Tasmania's lakes, rivers and streams. The season is open from August to April.

Inland angling licences are available from fishing tackle shops and other fishing outlets. Accredited fishing guides provide a range of services from one-day fishing lessons through to fully guided expeditions. For more information visit the Trout Guides & Lodges website

Alternatively, why not visit a day fishery for fun for all the family.

Sea Fisheries' website has useful information, as does Fish Online and the Inland Fisheries Service.

From Australia's oldest golf course [Ratho in Bothwell] to championship courses, southern Tasmania offers a range of courses at Royal Hobart Golf Course, Tasmanian Golf Course, Claremont Golf Course, and Kingston Beach Golf Course.

Tasmania offers great golf in magnificent locations. In addition there is a practice driving range at Cambridge, some excellent country courses, and an 18-hole public course at Rosny.

Tasmania is blessed with four distinctly-different seasons and in our parks and gardens it's a joy to watch the seasons change. Many of our gardens are open regularly and welcome visitors. Download Blooming Tasmania here or pick up a copy at a Tasmanian Travel and Information Centre.

A current Australian driver's licence [or an international licence] is required. Speed limits are 40-80km/hr in built-up areas, 50km/hr in most town streets, and 100-110km/hr outside cities and towns.

Speed cameras and radar guns are used. Seatbelts are compulsory. Tasmania's roads are generally more winding than mainland Australian roads, and need more time and care, especially in icy conditions. For RACT roadside help, phone 13 1111 [24 hours].

City areas are serviced by Metro buses. Call the Metro Hotline 132 201, or visit the Metro Shop in the Hobart GPO in the Bus Mall. Outlying areas are serviced by Metro 132 201 or Tassie Link 1300 300 520.

Opening hours vary throughout the region. In Hobart there are some 24-hour stations, while in the country petrol is generally available until approximately 7pm.

Tasmania enjoys a temperate maritime climate without extremes in temperature. Mean daily temperatures range from Spring [Sept to Nov] 7-17°C; Summer [Dec to Feb] 12-22°C; Autumn [March to May] 9-17°C; Winter [June to August] 5-12°C.

Tasmania enjoys a long period of daylight saving when clocks are advanced one hour between October and March.

Most banks are open 9:30 - 4:00pm, Monday - Friday. ATMs are available at major banking centres in the cities and large towns, but are often not available in smaller towns and regional areas. EFTPOS is widely available.

Internet Access is readily available and in Hobart there are several options:

• Pelican Loft Internet Café in the Mall, 35a Elizabeth Street
• Drifters Internet Café, Shop 9, 33 Salamanca Place
• Service Tasmania, 134 Macquarie Street
• State Library of Tasmania, 91 Murray Street

Other locations can be found at Online Access Centres in Tasmania or the State Library website or look in the Hobart Yellow Pages Telephone Directory.

Tasmania has a reputation as a 'disease-free' State. You may not bring into the State any fresh fruit, vegetables or plants.

Even a single item such as an apple or orange could introduce a pest or disease with potentially disastrous consequences. For information contact Quarantine Tasmania on1800 020 504.

The Hobart City Council Mobility Map includes a guide to the city's equal access parks and gardens. Parks & Wildlife Service's leaflet Parks for all People: Disabled Access contains information on locations and recreational opportunities.

All of Australia's main Christian churches and other faiths are represented in Hobart. With buildings dating from 1824, the Christian churches have been part of Hobart life from early European settlement days. Collect a brochure with details of services from the Visitor Information Centre, Hobart.