In this issue

Most of us think of Tasmania as an island. In fact, the state comprises 334 islands. The big one, the one the other 333 think of as the Tasmanian mainland, covers just over 64,000 square kilometres. It is the world’s 26th largest island. It’s about the same size as Sri Lanka (population 21 million). Three of the others, Albatross Island, Mewstone and Pedra Branca, were featured in our previous issue (Albatross Island, Tasmania 40°South, Issue 81, p38). This issue we feature another of them, Clarke Island, part of the Furneaux group and nestled protectively under the wings of Flinders and Cape Barren islands. Nobody lives there today, but 20,000 years ago it boasted a thriving community. Tasmanian adventurer and photographer Garry Richardson went to have a look, and our Portfolio feature is the result.

Two features in this issue concern Maria Island. James Dryburgh follows a group of secondary students seeking to become the next generation of marine biologists, and Don Defenderfer goes autobiographical, and poetical, in describing a lifetime of visiting Maria.

Back on the Tasmanian mainland, we have three features set deep in the wilderness. Lucinda Sharp accepted an invitation to sample some sophisticated south-west eco-tourism, William Dodd went to the same area for a completely different reason, and David Bonham suffered a bloody nose in the course of preparing another beautifully written Tasmanian tribute.

As usual, our writers have found stories from Tasmanian history. This month (September, 2016) is the 150th birthday of the Hobart Town Hall, and Alison Hetherington has found a history within the history, the now-you-see-them, now-you-don’t story of the venerable building’s venerable chandeliers. Lynn Davies is manager of Special & Rare Collections at UTAS, and recently spent time communing with the memory of Sarah Mitchell, who died 70 years ago this month. As Davies writes, Mitchell recorded her own ordinary life in an extraordinary way.

Forty South Tasmania Magazine Description:

Tasmania has been described as the world's best-kept secret, but it's not our fault - we have been telling the world about Tasmania for over 20 years. Forty South Tasmania has been described as a lifestyle magazine with brains. It offers three things: interesting features about Australia's island state, good writing and stunning photography. The magazine is a household name in Tasmania, but also has many subscribers elsewhere - people who have visited this beautiful place and now read the magazine for a regular reminder of an extraordinary experience. Forty South Tasmania offers feature stories, and stunning photography, about Tasmanian places and people, tourism, history and lifestyle, and regular columns on Tasmanian food, wine, arts and culture.