Port Arthur - A Bloodied Land

There's blood on the soil of Australia's Port Arthur, Tasmania's historic convict settlement south of the Australian mainland. Not only was blood shed on the island by the convicts transported there but in April 1996 a Tasmanian went on a killing spree, gunning down 35 tourists and tourism workers. This historic place is one of Tasmania's most visited sites. To visit Port Arthur, take a drive from Hobart through the Tasmanian countryside.

Some years back, a couple of Australian writers toured Tasmania in 10 days. This is their own personal experience.

While in Tasmania, you may want to explore Cradle Mountain in the heart of the island, or visit the more accessible parts of the Tasmanian Wilderness. They're fascinating World Heritage areas.

• Port Arthur: A Bloodied Land
• Hobart: Tasmania's Capital
• What to See and Do in Hobart

Photo: Port Arthur ruins © Australian Tourist Commission