Tasmania’s apple industry began in the 19th century and grew rapidly, with the state gaining the nickname “Apple Isle”.

Initially, apples were transported by horse-drawn carts from the orchards before being loaded on river ketches. Soon these ketches were replaced by river steamers to transport goods along Tasmania’s rivers to the nearest ports. The introduction of refrigerated ships ensured that the apples stayed fresh during the voyage and allowed for overseas exports. The first cargo of cool storage Tasmanian apples, about 1300 cases, was shipped to England in 1887.

By the early 1930s, Tasmania had a well-established network of ports and shipping companies that catered to the apple trade. The industry continued to grow throughout the 1900s, with new varieties of apples being developed and orchards expanding. In the mid-1900s, road transport started to become more prevalent, and trucks replaced the river steamers.

The industry faced challenges in the 1960s and 1970s but has since made a relative comeback, focusing on high-quality niche varieties and export market.