Today was an optional trip to Port Arthur, a World Heritage Site and location of the punishment station for repeat offenders from all of the Australian colonies. It was a prison from 1833 until 1877, and although the local inhabitants changed the name to erase the stain of its tie to the convicts, it quickly became a major tourist attraction. Although many of the buildings were destroyed by bush fires or dismantled, and others were sold, others remain to tell the story of convict life.
The drive to Port Arthur was about 90 minutes but we made several stops along the Convict Trail to see local sites
. This is now the main highway in Tasmania, linking Hobart in the South and Launceston in the north. It also provided access to Port Arthur which became the prison for repeat offenders. There were some beautiful views of Pirates Bay where we also saw the Tesselated Pavement. This natural formation in the limestone actually looks like squares of concrete.
After crossing Eaglehawk Neck, we walked to the Tasman Blowhole (which wasn't blowing) and on to Devil's Kitchen and the Tasman Arch. Before arriving at Port Arthur we passed the location of the Dogline. This prison was so isolated and protected by water on three sides, the entrance across the narrow isthmus was guarded by attack dogs that were staked close enough together that a convict couldn't pass between them.
After arriving at Port Arthur we took a short cruise that passed Puer Point where boys between the ages of 9 and 18 were housed. During the day they were assigned to work crews but in the evening there were educational classes and also an opportunity to learn a trade
. This was a very progressive approach for the early 1800s. We also passed the Isle of the Dead, the location of the settlement's cemetery.
After the cruise we had a walking tour that included that included the Penitentiary, the Commandant's House, the Asylum, the Separate Prison, and the Church. The Asylum was located next to the Separate Prison where the worst prisoners were kept in solitary cells for 23 hours each day and were allowed one hour of solitary exercise in a small yard. They also attended services in an adjacent chapel where they were also place in solitary cells thar could only see the minister. They were required to be totally silent except. For singing hymns during services. If they did not obey these rules, there were cells that in addition to being silent we're totally dark. No wonder that many of them were driven mad and ended in the asylum next door.
Despite the nature of the prison, it was considered humane and progressive for its time, and it's location is very scenic.
Our final stop of the afternoon was back in Hobart at MONA, Museum of Modern and Ancient Art. This new museum displays the collection of a single collector and includes an eclectic collection of modern paintings, multimedia and interactive art together with a small but interest collections of early Egyptian artifacts. I can best describe it as a cross between the Hirschorn and Baltimore's Visionary Arts Museum. There is also a wonderful wine bar where wines from the related winery and beer from his brewery were available for drinking or purchase. It was a wonderful way to end an interesting day.
Parks, Port Arthur, and MONA
Monday, October 14, 2013
Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
Other Entries
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1Welcome to Hobart
Oct 131 day priorHobart, Australiaphoto_camera6videocam 0comment 2 -
2Parks, Port Arthur, and MONA
Oct 14Hobart, Australiaphoto_camera10videocam 0comment 2 -
3Devils and Wombats and Kangaroos
Oct 151 day laterCradle Mountain-Lake St. Clair National Park, Australiaphoto_camera10videocam 0comment 2 -
4Cradle Mountain to Launceston
Oct 162 days laterLaunceston, Australiaphoto_camera10videocam 0comment 0 -
5The Cascade Gorge, Platapus, Echidna, and Wine
Oct 173 days laterLaunceston, Australiaphoto_camera9videocam 0comment 2 -
6Melbourne
Oct 184 days laterMelbourne, Australiaphoto_camera10videocam 0comment 3 -
7Adelaide--Wildlife and Wine
Oct 206 days laterAdelaide, Australiaphoto_camera14videocam 0comment 0 -
8Into the Outback
Oct 228 days laterAlice Springs, Australiaphoto_camera16videocam 0comment 0 -
9Over the Desert and To the Rock
Oct 2410 days laterUluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Australiaphoto_camera12videocam 0comment 0 -
10Around the Rock and Back Again
Oct 2511 days laterYulara, Australiaphoto_camera17videocam 0comment 0 -
11Reefs and Rainforests
Oct 2612 days laterPort Douglas, Australiaphoto_camera13videocam 0comment 0 -
12So Much to See and So Little Time
Oct 2915 days laterSydney, Australiaphoto_camera20videocam 0comment 1
Comments

2025-02-16
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Lori
2013-10-19
Were you able to go through the ruins of the penitentiary and associated buildings?
maryleabyrd
2013-10-19
Yes, we toured the shell of the penitentiary, and the actual asylum is now a museum and and cafe where I had lunch. The Separate Prison has been restored and includes sound effects of rattling chains and slamming doors. The adjacent Chapel is also restored. The Commandant's House is also intact, and part of it is from the days of the prison, other parts are from it's later use as a hotel.