Van Diemen’s Land, (1642–1855), the southeastern Australian island colony that became the commonwealth state of Tasmania. After being a part of the colony of New South Wales since 1803, Van Diemen’s Land became a separate colony in 1825. It achieved self-governing status in 1855–56. Associated with that development was the long-foreshadowed name change to Tasmania. Since then, “Van Diemen’s Land” has generally evoked the brutalities of convict transportation and ethnic conflict (see Black War).