Hobart, Port Arthur And Wildlife

OVERVIEW

Explore some of the most unusual attractions in Tasmania and come away with a greater understanding of what makes this island state so unique. Extraordinary wildlife is the draw of the Tasmanian Devil Unzoo, a setting where the animals roam freely to provide them with more dignity and self-determination than they would have in traditional zoo enclosures. Besides coming face-to-face with Tasmanian Devils, you might watch the entertaining Birds of the Bush presentation and hand-feed the wallabies and kangaroos. A tour of the Port Arthur Historic Site, a former convict settlement, will reveal the unspeakable hardships of 19th-century prison life. Few buildings still stand in this open-air museum and you can expect to browse remains of prison cells and areas for work such as ship-building and brick-making. This notorious prison is so historically important that UNESCO declared it a World Heritage site. A panoramic driving tour through Hobart will round out the experience.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Visit an unzoo where the animals roam freely instead of being in enclosures.
• Observe indigenous animals such as Tasmanian Devils, kangaroos and wallabies.
• Enjoy a behind-the-scenes tour of a 19th-century convict settlement in Port Arthur.
• Gain insight into why UNESCO deemed the penal facility a World Heritage site.
• See some of Hobart’s landmarks on a driving tour through the historical downtown.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.