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HIGHLIGHT TOURS

Port Arthur Tours
Visitors to Port Arthur, Tasmania are
treated to a trip into the past, to an era that was harsher and a
bit less enlightened. In the early days of Australia's colonial
period the continent was used to house numerous penal colonies.
While many of those original colonies eventually became some of
Australia's biggest cities, the penal colony at Port Arthur,
Tasmania was a little different. An impoverished 19th century
Londoner could be sent to Australia for even a mild offense, but
Port Arthur was a more secure site used to house repeat offenders
and the more egregious criminals.
As such, Port Arthur, Tasmania still exhibits many of its original
facilities. This open-air museum, one of the most important heritage
sites in all of Australia, is perhaps Tasmania's top tourist
destinations. Many visitors opt for a guided walking tour of the
main site that offers a rare glimpse of the life and society of a
penal colony. The facility also shows the rapid evolution of British
ideals of justice and prisoners' rights during the 19th century.
In spite of its somewhat remote location, Port Arthur, Tasmania is
easily reached by highway or ferry. For those desiring a broader
tour, there is also a Harbour Cruise available. Located in and
around the harbour are Point Puer Boys' Prison and the cemetery on
the Isle of the Dead, where between 1833 and 1877 about a thousand
burials took place. Evidently these fellows served a life sentence
in the most literal sense. Tours are available at both of these
sites as well; they are accessible by watercraft, so remember to
allow time for the ferry trip.

The Huon Valley follows the Huon River in southern part of the
state. Tasmania is known as the "Apple Isle", and the majority of apples
(and other fruit) are produced in the Huon region. Roadside stalls selling
the local products are commonplace.
Huonville is the largest town in the region.
The Huon also serves as a gateway to the Hartz Mountains National Park,
entered via the turnoff at Geeveston.
Slightly to the west of the river is Port Cygnet, the associated town of
Cygnet being the centre of local berry production.

Tasmania's central highlands, consisting of a series of mountains and
lakes in the Great Western Tiers range, are largely contained in the
Cradle Mountain-Lake St. Clair National Park. The spectacular World
Heritage-listed scenery and easy bushwalks around Cradle Mountain make it
Tasmania's most popular destination.
Lake St. Clair, gouged out of the rock by glaciers, is over 200 metres deep
and is a popular fishing and camping site. The Lakes region is a
trout fishing paradise, with Great Lake and Arthurs Lake being particularly
popular.
Many midlands towns possess historic value, having been created as stopping
points where travellers between Hobart and Launceston could rest and change
horses. There are many craft shops, making midlands towns well worth a
detour when travelling

Franlin Gordon Rivers -
Cruise the Gordon River Fancy a cruise in Tasmania? Experience
one of the most scenic and sought after Tasmania cruises with Tasmania's
largest eco-tourism cruise operator, World Heritage Cruises.
Located in Strahan, WHC offers a mix
of history, stunning scenery and wonderful hospitality.
Cruise the majestic Gordon River on one of their morning or
afternoon Tasmania cruises and enjoy the experience delivered by
their
first-class, purpose-built boat and friendly, professional team.

Freycinet Peninsula: Tasmania’s premier sea kayaking
destination
Boasting Tasmania’s sunniest climate, the
Freycinet Peninsula is host to outstanding natural beauty - white
beaches, turquoise waters and pink granite peaks. This special fusion of
climate and space has resulted in a true sea kayaking paradise… all waiting
for you to discover.
We understand why people fall in love with this spectacular coast and are
privileged to show you this amazing place on our award-winning guided tours.

Vacation Australia's Kangaroo Kelly will include any tour of your choice in your custom planned itinerary!
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Vacation Australia provides self drive or driver guide luxury coach tours to independent groups.
Ask about our Preferred Partner Aussie Tour Operators for those who wish to join a group
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ENQUIRIES & QUOTATION

Port Arthur/Richmond
16 miles/26 km north of Hobart is the historic village of
Richmond where
you can see old stone bridges built by Australias most desperate convicts who were
sent to Tasmania from the mainland. See old stone buildings, galleries museums and craft
shops. Port
Arthur, 62 miles/201 km south east of Hobart, is the site of the colonys
main penal settlement between 1830 and 1877. Many buildings have been preserved to show
the life of the era. Tour the maximum penal jail and there is an after dark tour by
lamplight
Huon Valley
23 miles/37 kkm northwest of Hobart is the Huon
Valley, the centre of Tasmania's apple growing industry. Visit the Apple Museum at
Grove, explore nearby Hastings Cove or go white water rafting down the Huon and Picton
Rivers. Tours departing from Hobart
Cradle Mountain National Park
176 miles/284 km northwest of Hobart is the pristine Cradle
Mountain - Lake St Clair National Park. Watch for the nightly movements of native
wildlife, tasmanian devils, possums and wallabys (pademelons) coming to feed, Coach tours
depart from Hobart. Accommodation at the Cradle Mountain Lodge.
Franklin Gordon Rivers National Park
125 miles/201 km northwest of Hobart, you will discover
challenging river rapids, rainforests and 200 years old Huon Pines in this pristine
wilderness region of the Franklin and Gordon Rivers. Further west is two townships
to see on your west coast tour. Queenstown is an ideal place to film scenes from
another planet as its bare hills provide bizzare testimony to its past mining history. A
little further northwest is the town of Strahan, a starting point for Gordon River
cruises and air tours over the pristine southwest wilderness.
Freycinet National Park
132 miles/212 km northeast of Hobart. If you love bush-walking,
walk to Wineglass Bay, there is no other way. This is a world heritage region of rocky
headlands, granite peaks, red granite cliffs and white beaches.
Getting about
Coach tours from Hobart and Launceston. If you prefer self drive,
Vacation Australia provides rental cars and 4wd Toyota Landcruiser (4 person) and 4wd
Troopcarrier (8 person) vehicles. Luxury limos are also available (Hobart/Launceston
only).
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Budget Rental
Car
Vacation Australia's Preferred Partner
All vehicles inc minibus
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FEATURED HOTELS
Climate: Mild summers and cold winter nights.
Overall temperate.
KANGAROO KELLY says
that Vacation Australia
can and will custom plan and competitively package "add-on" tours to your Aussie itinerary including your
Tasmanian experience
Vacation Australia provides
custom planned golf & leisure vacations

Vacation Australia's "Kangaroo
Kelly" has comprehensively golf and travelled all States in Australia.
He not only knows the popular tourist regions but also
knows the favourite places of the crafty locals.

Go to Enquiries & Quotations for your custom planned, competitively priced
itinerary
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