Port Arthur Tasmania: Heaven or Hell?
March 24th, 2010 | 
Author: So it was off to Port Arthur on the Tasman Peninsula for me this week. Sited as the the Big Daddy of Tasmanian tourist attractions, what I discovered was actually quite surprising…
Port Arthur Tasmania: Convict Hell, Photography Heaven!
Not usually a huge fan of the big promotion attraction, I ventured along without high hopes of genuine appeal. I’m happy to say on this occasion I was dead wrong!
The convict ruins from across the expansive grounds
Port Arthur: Tasmanian Convict Settlement
From 1830, convicts were sent to the settlement, originally working the small timber station. With industries such as ship-building and brick-making forged by convict labour, the penal system of the colony advanced the size of Port Arthur. Tasmania had the ideal location for prisoners, with the remote and harsh environment making escape an unattractive prospect.
Coupled with stories of sharks and the reality of guard dogs chained across Eaglehawk Neck (the isthmus dividing the peninsula from the main island), the convicts were destined to a life of toil without much hope.
The ruins of the flour mill/penitentiary
History Lessons at Port Arthur
Visitors to Port Arthur learn about the gruesome history via static displays and the many features to explore privately, but there are also guides providing tours around the settlement, offering interactive story-telling. The grounds are quite extensive, so I was very happy when it was time to board the catamaran for a cruise around the harbour. From the comfortable seats of the MV Marana, the tour glides past the boys’ prison of Point Puer, the Isle of the Dead and interprets the ship-building enterprise of the station.
View of the Convict Settlement from the Harbour Cruise
The views to and from the water enhance the magnificent surrounds of the settlement. The gardens and building remains offer a picturesque vista in every direction, and despite the harsh past, I found myself enthralled with the photographic opportunities of the present. In fact, I so underestimated the value of the convict settlement, my day finished way too soon.
Looking through the turret towards the boats in the harbour
The entrance price* at Port Arthur Convict Settlement
allows for next-day-access free of additional charge.
I would strongly recommend visitors take advantage of this offer.
The Port Arthur gardens (Photo by Kerrie Dodson)
Port Arthur and the Tasman Peninsula
With many other attractions in the area to complement the convict ruins, you could easily schedule several days in and around Port Arthur, Tasmania. The drive from Hobart to the main attraction on the Tasman Peninsula takes about 90 minutes.
Well, that’s if you don’t get distracted by the Tasman National Park: Tasman Arch, the Blowhole, Devils Kitchen, Tessellated Pavement. And I haven’t even mentioned the Coal Mines Historical Site or Remarkable Cave or Waterfall Bay…
Somebody please stop me!
*For bookings and further information
visit the Port Arthur Tasmania site.
Amazing buildings are scattered throughout the grounds
Build with convict labour and bricks
The park-like, memorial surrounds
Map: Port Arthur Tasmania…
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Dear Tania
I am an elderly nun (85) who is just about to start a website. It is to tell some of my life stories and, eventually, to see if anyone would like to help me with my project. It is to pay school fees for some of the thousands of children in Papua New Guinea who have no education because of their family’s poverty.
I would be grateful to use one or two of your photos of Port Arthur.
Grateful for your help.
Mary (Sr Mary Noonan)
Dear Sister Mary
You are welcome to use the Port Arthur photos that we have taken for your website. We wish you every success with your new venture.
All the best,
Tania