HIGHLIGHT TOURS

Port Arthur 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.

 

TourTasmania Huon Valley
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.


TourTasmania Cradle Mountain
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


World Heritage Cruises
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 Tours
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.
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| ENQUIRIES & QUOTATION

The Port Arthur Convict Penal Jail Tasmania Highlights: Five highlight regions are shown on this page.
Port Arthur/Richmond, a time gone by of penal convict settlement.
Huon Valley, Tasmania's apple growing centre
Cradle Mountain National Park, pristine mountain wilderness
Franklin Gordon Rivers, rainforests and challenging rapids
Freycinet National Park, rocky headlands, granite peaks, white beaches
See Tasmania Tourism

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 Australia’s 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 colony’s 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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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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