It's a Miracle! Kids Enjoy...
History of Tasmania

The history of Tasmania makes for fascinating learning:
but the best part?

It is available in easy-to-understand and compelling ways in many
different locations - to even persuade the novice.

Port Arthur settlement for convicts in Tasmania

With the kids studying convict transportation as part of the home schooling curriculum (during our time as travellers), there could have been no better place than Van Diemen's land - as it was once known. But even those not remotely interested in penal colonisation (and we thought the boys might well and truly fall into that category before our visit), would be enthralled with the lessons in Tasmanian history offered at Port Arthur. Tasmania has a multitude of sites to explore like this - and some of the lower profile ones don't even charge entry fees.

Coal Mines historical site, Tasman Peninsula

George Bass?

The naming of Tasmanian towns and features is testament to the relevance of historical events, inviting the tourist to delve into the exploration and discovery of the island even before convict settlement. George Bass (as in Bass Strait) and Matthew Flinders (as in Flinders Island) have claimed their share of naming rights. I guess that's fair enough - if you circumnavigate Tasmania to prove it's actually an island, saving weeks in travel time for other ships, then you should get kudos for that!!

Tasmanian history is naturally woven into the visitor itinerary: the expeditions of Bass and Flinders, the heritage of convicts and the study of the indigenous inhabitants. Great when you want your kids to just absorb some history, rather than suffer through it like a chore.

Amazing, they might even enjoy it!