Compared to most places in the western world, and even compared to most other areas of Australia, Tasmania has a low rate of violent crime.
Muggings and the like are rare. Visitors taking common-sense precautions (lock your car and don't leave valuables in sight) should feel safe in Tasmania.
That said, there are certainly areas which should be avoided after dark. The city centres of both Hobart and Launceston are best not traversed by foot after shop closing time, and it is unadvisable to travel to particular suburbs via public transport or on foot after dark. Although most such suburbs are outlying and several are to the north of Hobart, it is not possible to provide a general region to avoid.
There are a couple of unsolved disappearance cases concerning young female tourists; both were travelling alone in isolated areas where help was unavailable. It is prudent to warn against travelling alone to isolated areas where it may be difficult to obtain emergency assistance. Common-sense precautions concerning your personal safety should ensure that you have an extremely safe and enjoyable visit to Tasmania.
The addage that there is safety in numbers also applies for bushwalkers. Take note of bushwalking warnings and be prepared - Tasmanian weather can change very rapidy! Many under-prepared bushwalkers need to be rescued every year.
With these cautions in mind, it's worth repeating: the average couple or family visiting Tasmania, taking common-sense precautions and doing average tourist activities, should have nothing to be concerned about at all with regard to safety.
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Last reviewed 2006-08-06 12:44:23