| ACA update 15 Feb 18: Port Arthur, Tasmania

WITH Jill Abel, CEO Australian Cruise Association – Regional ports continue to play an increasingly important role in the growth of the Australian cruise industry. Port Arthur, Tasmania, for example, has seen cruise visit days rise from 22 to 28 in the last 12 months.
As visits increase, destinations also need to develop to ensure they are providing the best possible opportunities for cruise passengers to experience everything on offer be it of cultural, historic or natural significance.
Recognising this, the Port Arthur Visitor Centre has now re-opened with increased space and enhanced visitor offerings.
According to Anne McVilly, Director Tourism Operations, visitor numbers to the Centre, gateway to the Historic Site, had increased by around 100,000 people in the last five years – mostly due to cruise.
The re-design meant an opportunity to plan how the Centre might best meet visitor expectations. As a result, it now incorporates convict, and more recent, history. As research showed that experiences are enhanced through stories of real people, visitors are now also given the opportunity to select from one of 52 characters to follow through the gallery.
The facilities have also been modernised with an additional restaurant, more locker space and wi-fi access now available.
The great news for cruise passengers is that a visit to Port Arthur usually forms part of a coach itinerary allowing them to disperse into the region and see other local sites such as Tasmanian Devil conservation parks, lavender farms, wineries and whisky distilleries.