Tasmania's rugged wilderness holds one of cryptozoology's greatest mysteries - the possible survival of the Thylacine, or Tasmanian Tiger, decades after its supposed extinction. This remote Australian island offers adventurous travelers the chance to explore the same pristine forests and remote valleys where Josh Gates investigated reported sightings of this legendary carnivorous marsupial. The haunting beauty of Tasmania's untamed landscapes provides the perfect backdrop for understanding why locals continue to report encounters with this elusive creature.
Tasmania is an island state of Australia located 240 kilometres south of the Australian mainland, separated by the Bass Strait. The 26th-largest island in the world, Tasmania encompasses the main island and approximately 1,000 surrounding smaller islands. With a population of around 573,000 residents as of 2023, it is Australia's smallest and least populous state, with its capital Hobart home to roughly 40% of the population. Gates traveled to Tasmania to investigate ongoing reports of the Thylacine, or Tasmanian Tiger, a carnivorous marsupial officially declared extinct in 1936 but still the subject of numerous unconfirmed sightings across the island's wilderness areas.
Aboriginal Tasmanians became isolated from mainland groups when rising sea levels formed Bass Strait
Tasmania permanently settled by Europeans as a British penal colony
Became separate colony under the name Van Diemen's Land
Present Constitution of Tasmania enacted; colony renamed Tasmania the following year
Last known Thylacine died in captivity; species declared extinct
Gates investigates Thylacine sightings for Expedition Unknown
The Thylacine, or Tasmanian Tiger, was a carnivorous marsupial endemic to Tasmania that became the largest known carnivorous marsupial of modern times. Mainstream zoologists recognize the species went extinct when the last known individual died at Hobart's Beechworth Zoo in 1936, following decades of hunting pressure, habitat loss, and disease. The species had already disappeared from the Australian mainland thousands of years before European settlement, making Tasmania its last refuge.
Despite the official extinction status, reports of Thylacine sightings have continued for decades, creating one of cryptozoology's most scientifically plausible mysteries. Wildlife biologists note that Tasmania's extensive wilderness areas—with roughly 42% of the island protected in some form of reserve including national parks and World Heritage Sites—could theoretically support a small population of elusive nocturnal predators. However, the lack of physical evidence such as carcasses, definitive photographs, or DNA samples has prevented scientific confirmation of any modern sightings.
Gates' investigation approached the question with appropriate scientific caution, examining eyewitness testimony while acknowledging the high evidentiary bar required to overturn an extinction declaration. The episode explored whether modern technology and renewed interest in Thylacine searches might succeed where previous efforts failed. Tasmania's status as a significant eco-tourism destination has kept interest in the Thylacine alive, with the extinct marsupial remaining a cultural icon of the island.
The scientific consensus remains that without concrete physical evidence—such as confirmed DNA, clear photographs, or remains—the Thylacine should be considered extinct, though researchers generally remain open to evidence-based reconsideration. Gates' episode contributed to the ongoing documentation of sighting reports while respecting the need for verifiable proof before making extraordinary claims about a species' survival.
Tasmania is the 26th-largest island in the world and is separated from mainland Australia by the 240-kilometre-wide Bass Strait
Approximately 42% of Tasmania's land area is protected in some form of reserve, including 21% designated as national parks and World Heritage Sites
The world's first environmental political party was founded in Tasmania
Tasmania is the most decentralised state in Australia, with the lowest proportion of residents living in the capital city compared to other Australian states
Tasmania is accessible via regular flights to Hobart from mainland Australian cities, with the island well-developed for tourism. Visitors can explore the extensive wilderness areas where Thylacine sightings have been reported, though encounters with the extinct species remain unconfirmed. Much of Tasmania's wilderness is protected in national parks and reserves, with varying levels of accessibility from maintained hiking trails to remote backcountry areas.
Hobart, Tasmania's capital and largest city, serves as the main entry point for visitors to the island.
Tasmania's summer months (December through February) offer the warmest weather and best conditions for wilderness exploration, though the island experiences four distinct seasons. Autumn and spring provide moderate temperatures and fewer crowds for those interested in exploring the island's natural areas.
Australian Outback
Another Australian wilderness region investigated by Gates for cryptid and mystery investigations
Tsavo, Kenya
Gates investigated cryptid sightings of legendary man-eating lions in this remote wilderness area, similar to the Thylacine cryptid search
Scotland
Gates explored Scottish wilderness searching for evidence of another famous cryptid, the Loch Ness Monster
Best time to visit: Visit during Tasmania's summer months (December to February) for the best weather conditions and accessibility to remote wilderness areas.
Travel tip: Pack warm, waterproof clothing and sturdy hiking boots as Tasmania's weather can change rapidly, especially in mountainous regions where investigations typically take place.
Historical data sourced from Wikipedia