Furry, hairy, and scaly friends

To outsiders, Tasmania’s native flightless hens – or turbo hens – may not be the first choice, but Melanie Wells enjoys watching them as they speed up to 50km/h on foot. . The “pure joy” she got from watching them inspired her tattoo.

“They are iconic, endemic and we are lucky to be able to easily observe them in the wild,” she said.

Melanie’s turbo chook tattoo by Rosie Roo. (Provided by: Rosie Gude)

Hannah Ledger’s tattoo is of the freshwater fish Pedder galaxias , which was declared extinct from its original range in 2005 following the controversial damming of Pedder Lake in 1972. The small species lives in Lake Oberon and is considered endangered.

Hannah shows off her tattoo by Rowan Week. (Provided by: Hannah Ledger)

“I am a proud and passionate Tasmanian and love its unique biodiversity… this is a reminder of the importance of conservation in Tasmania and protecting many vulnerable species here,” she said.

Mikey’s tattoo by Jarret Livingston, Liv’s tattoo by Penelope and Dave’s tattoo by Casey Jones all share a love of Tasmania. (Be provided)

The famous Tasmanian, Australia’s largest carnivorous marsupial after the extinction of the thylacine, is the animal tattoo of choice for many people.

For the love of Launceston

Many Tasmanians celebrate their Launcestonian roots, for Emily that means having the heart of the city — Brisbane Street Mall — in her hands.

Emily Baker’s tattoo by Lauren Winzer celebrates Launceston Shopping Centre. (Provided by: Emily Baker)

“I’m a big fan of my beautiful home town, Launceston, and while The Gorge may be prettier, I’ve spent more of my life wandering around Brisbane Street Mall,” says Emily.

For Seaweed, her Launnie ink is a representation of the hard work of her family and the community into which she was born.

Seaweed’s Ravenswood tattoo pays tribute to the suburb in Launceston where she spent her early years. (Supplier: Seaweed)

“My family lived in Ravenswood public housing for 10 years in the 80s and 90s, which was a suburb that was very stigmatized for being dangerous,” she said.

“I got this tattoo because I’m proud of my hometown and my parents’ hard work to give us the best they can.”

Family and language

Nala has her sister’s name “Nunami” tattooed on her leg.

“[It] means ‘small package’ in the Tasmanian Aboriginal language… she weighed 1kg when she was born, so it’s very significant,” she said.

Nala Mansell’s tattoos are for her younger sister and daughter, Kitana.(Courtesy: Nala Mansell)

‘No regrets’ Luca Brasi is the muse of many

Fans of Luca Brasi, a band formed in the east coast town of St Helens, have a particular passion for lyrical tattoos.

Dainty’s David tattoo, Brodie’s tattoo and Dan’s tattoo are all inspired by songs by the band Luca Brasi. (Be provided)

Matt, from rural Victoria, collected quite a few Tassie tattoos while on a musical pilgrimage with friends to a festival organized by the band.

“We take a trip for the guys every year… and always stop by the tattoo shop. About 11 of us have lip tattoos,” he said.

Matt Eade tattoo by Christopher White.(Courtesy: Matt Eade)

Tasmanians love the great outdoors

Josie shows off Kat Scarlet’s mountain tattoo in front of Barn Bluff.(Supplied: Josie Hamor)

On an island famous for its soaring peaks and alpine wonderlands, many people have honored the state’s mountains with tattoos.

kunanyi/ Mount Wellington has “a special part in my heart”, Alice explains. Her grandparents were involved in protesting the proposed cable car on the mountain in the 1980s and her grandparents were all scattered there.

Adelle and her friend Tom’s matching kunanyi tattoos by Iain and Alice’s tattoo by Grim Grabe. (Be provided)

“I’ve visited kunanyi with so many loved ones and it’s the sight that greets you when you return from the mainland – that’s how you know you’re home,” Alice said.

Tasmania’s fifth highest mountain, Cradle Mountain with its distinctive glacier-carved peaks, is prominently featured in Tasmania’s arms.

Shaun’s tattoo by Pat Barnes, Jas’s tattoo by Rosie Roo and Jaydee’s tattoo by Aiden Stafford all celebrate Cradle Mountain. (Be provided)

Shaun got engaged in the mountains and included the exact coordinates of the engagement location in the design of his mountain piece.

“I hope to be reminded every day of this beautiful place and what it means to me,” he said.

Tasmania is home to almost 2,000 native plant species, and more than 500 of these plants are found only in the state, so it’s no surprise that many people give this plant a thumbs up.

Rosie Roo’s Lisa’s Banksia Marginata tattoo and Angela’s native pepper (Tasmannia lanceolata) tattoo both celebrate plants found in Tasmania. (Be provided)

For Bianca, it was important to have tattoos that celebrated “both alpine and coastal plants.”

Sun orchid and Fagus leaf tattoo by Bianca.(Supplied by: Bianca)

In one hand she has the Coastal Sun Orchid and in the other she has the Alpine Fagus ( Nothofagus gunnii ), which is “Australia’s only autumn deciduous tree that transforms from vibrant green to bright orange,” she said.

Fagus is a special dish loved by many people. This plant is only found in Tasmania and there are fossils of its leaves from many years ago.

Andy’s tattoo by Rosie Roo, Jan’s tattoo by Kat Scarlet and Gerogia’s tattoo by Liz Baker all feature fagus. (Be provided)

Unique animals

Angelo’s Al Hines thylacine tattoo was taken from a photo. (Provided by: Al Hines)

The iconic and extinct Tasmanian tiger has been commemorated in ink by many Tasmanians.

Al says: “I am often overwhelmed by the relationship between humans and non-human species, and as a Tasmanian, the thylacine is an iconic symbol of indifference, ignorance and our selfishness.”

“I understand this is a photo of the last Tassie tiger in captivity and I love that it looks up at my face, almost pleading.”

Tasmania’s unique, cold marine ecosystem is also inspiring.

Lisa-Maree Hanch weed sea dragon tattoo by Josh Rees. (Provided by: Lisa-Maree Hanch)

“Kelp are so iconic to the Tasmanian marine ecosystem and being able to snorkel and research among them is a special experience,” Zali said.

Zali’s giant kelp tattoo, Macrocystis pyrifera, by Blair Howard.(Courtesy: Zali)

Home is where the heart-shaped Tassie is located

The island map is one of the most popular tattoos in Tasmania, but the designs and symbols behind the iconic triangle are incredibly diverse.

Kat’s tattoo incorporates Tasmania’s floral symbolism — Tasmanian blue gum, Stacy’s tattoo and Colette’s tattoo.(Supplied)

Karen’s husband’s tattoo commemorates his grandfather Terry Cashion, a legendary footballer inducted into the AFL Hall last year.

“This tattoo symbolizes his home island and his love of football,” she said.

Nick’s tattoo by Sebastian Garlic and Karen’s husband’s tattoo. (Be provided)

Some people use ink to print on maps to remind them of their homeland when they move to another place.

“[I] completed this right before moving abroad. Home is where the heart is,” Nick said.

Sam’s tattoo and Katy’s tattoo both incorporate floral elements into the outline of the map of Tasmania.(Supplied)

Not all people who get map tattoos are Tasmanian. “My heart was stolen by two of my favorite Tasmanians: my husband and my favorite child,” said Sam from Western Australia.