The Huon Valley, or simply the Huon is a valley and geographic area located in southern Tasmania, Australia. It roughly corresponds to the Huon Valley Council local government area, yet predates that entity. The largest town Huonville, with other smaller towns are spread across the area. It includes Australia's most southern permanent settlement at Southport. The Huon Valley Council area had a population of 15,140 in 2011. Famed for its apple growing, the Valley was first settled by British colonists in the 1840s; prior to settlement the Huon Valley area was inhabited by the Nuenonne people. The area it is sometimes combined as the Huon-Channel area with the areas around D'Entrecasteaux Channel.