Tasmania — Kuoni Travel Australia, New Zealand & South Pacific 2008/09 online holiday brochure

INTRODUCTION TA S M A N I A see & do HOBART Set on a natural harbour at the mouth of the wide River Derwent, Hobart is surely one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Sandwiched between mountains and the sea, Hobart has forests, rivers and beaches on its doorstep. The great, forested bulk of Mount Wellington rises just behind the city, and to its south, the Derwent empties into the Southern Ocean through wild Storm Bay. CRADLE MOUNTAIN Situated in the Cradle Mountain Lake St Clair National Park, the half-moon curve of Cradle Mountain and beautiful Dove Lake together compose the iconic Tasmanian landscape. Tasmania's most famous bushwalk the 40 mile Overland Track leaves from here, and there are plenty of shorter walks that allow great views of this glacier-scoured alpine scenery. FREYCINET PENINSULA Crystal clear waters, white sands and plentiful sunshine sometimes make Tasmania's East Coast Freycinet Peninsula seem more like it's in the tropics than at a temperate 41° South. Mostly protected within the Freycinet National Park, the peninsula is home to the breathtaking sweep of Wineglass Bay frequently rated one of the best beaches in the world. Freycinet is the ideal spot for gentle walks, kayaking and wildlife spotting. STRAHAN Nestled on vast Macquarie Harbour on Tasmania's remote West Coast, the pretty village of Strahan was once named, by an influential visiting journalist, `the Best Little Town in the World'. Most visitors cruise up the Gordon River famously protected from a hydroelectric dam development in 1982 to Sarah Island and its penal settlement ruins. LAUNCESTON Nestled in the Tamar River Valley, Launceston was settled in 1804 and is Australia's third oldest city. Penny Royal World is a must; this complex of historic mills was moved from its original location stone by stone, and barges take visitors underground to see gunpowder production in the working replica of a 19th century gunpowder mill. PORT ARTHUR There's no better place to see Tasmania's convict history than the historic ruins of Port Arthur Penal Settlement on the picturesque Tasman Peninsula. Opened in 1830, Port Arthur was intended to be a model prison where inmates worked hard to be reformed. In reality, prison life here was brutal. There's a fascinating interpretation of convict life at Port Arthur or a guided Ghost Tour by night when convicts' tortured souls are said to stalk abroad. FOOD & WINE Eating and drinking in Tasmania are a gourmet's treat. Fresh Southern Ocean seafood, cool climate wines and some of Australia's most inventive chefs make dining out a pleasure. Many wineries have restaurants with wine tasting and cellar door sales. Near Tasmania's northern city, Launceston, there's the Tamar Valley wine region, and near the capital, Hobart, in the South, are the vineyards of the Coal River Valley. 1 Tasmanian Devil 2 Beautiful Cradle Mountain 3 Stunning Tasmanian beach 4 Cruise down the Tamar river at Launceston 5 Wineglass Bay 6 The ruins of Port Arthur 1 2 3 4 5 6 TASMANIA REGIONAL MAP Stanley Marrawah INFORMATION Time Difference: GMT +11 hours. Flight Time: Approximately 21 hours. Geography: From the serene beauty of the lakes country to the wild and remote area of the west coast Tasmania's outdoors has everything, all in a very compact area. There are wonderful coastal stretches and secluded bays, with the forests and mountains of Tasmania's western area forming one of the world's last great wilderness areas. 21% of Tasmania's land is National Park. Travel Tips: The local food is exceptional, especially the seafood, fruits, local dairy products and the wines. If you are able, go on any of the many walks available. The Overland Track is the most famous but you can't go wrong with the wonderful Bay Of Fire Walk or on Maria Island. Visit Wineglass Bay on the Freycinet Peninsula (stunning). Climb to the top of The Nut in Stanley or white water raft on the Franklin River. Smithton Wynyard Burnie George Town Somerset Devonport Deloraine Bell Bay Gladstone Mt William Nat Pk Scottsdale Launceston Ben Lomond Nat Pk Corinna Rosebery Queenstown Strahan Cradle Mountain Walls of Cradle Mtn/ Jerusalem Lake St Clair Nat Pk Nat Pk Frankline Lower Gordon Wild Rivers Nat Pk St Helens Scamander St Mary's Delrwent Bridge Bronte Park Ross Swansea Oatlands Coles Bay Freycinet Nat Pk Melton Mowbray Mt Field Nat Pk Strathgordon Tasmania New Norfolk South West Nat Pk Sorell Maria Island Nat Pk Hobart Seven Mile Beach Huonville Geeveston Southport Port Arthur South West Cape South East Cape call 01306 741111 I www.kuoni.co.uk I see your travel agent 99

Tasmania contd… Tasmania