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Learn about the Australian prison system
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Go see this historical place!
The Isle of the Dead - Port Arthur
The_Downunder_Mob Says: The Isle of the Dead, originally called Opossum Island, was chosen for the graveyard of Port Arthur by the Rev. John Manton in 1833. Of the 100 people buried there most were convicts. Convicts were forbidden headstones and were buried in the lower southeast part of the...
The_Downunder_Mob Says: The Port Arthur penal settlement started in 1830 as timber camp but soon became important in the penal system. In the first years the bush was cleared and ship building, smithing, brick making and other trades were established. In the 1840's, with a convict population of...
AusPinay Says: An area of dramatic geological landscapes, this area is another gem which can only be found in Tasmania. We've seen other blowholes, this one may not be that great but nevertheless the significance of the formations and the diverse resources around it are memorable.As...
ATXtraveler Says: Within the Port Arthur Historic Site is a small island, known as the Isle of the Dead. This place is also known to some as Opossum Island, but was renamed when the island was converted into a burial ground for the convicts that passed away in Port Arthur. This little island...
al2401 Says: The Isle of the Dead, originally called Opossum Island, was chosen for the graveyard of Port Arthur by the Rev. John Manton in 1833. Of the 100 people buried there most were convicts. Convicts were forbidden headstones and were buried in the lower southeast part of the...
al2401 Says: The Port Arthur penal settlement started in 1830 as timber camp but soon became important in the penal system. In the first years the bush was cleared and ship building, smithing, brick making and other trades were established. In the 1840's, with a convict population of...
balhannah Says: The Lottery of Life is an Interpretation Gallery at the visitor's centre. On paying your entrance fee, you are given a playing card, mine happened to be the ten of hearts.In the gallery, you wander around the excellent displays until you find a cut out of "your convict" with...
HOSPITAL & ASYLUM AT PORT ARTHUR
balhannah Says: More 'modern' than the Hospital, the Asylum was capable of housing 100 mentally ill patients at a time. Built to a cruciform shape, the wings were occupied by dormitories around a central mess hall. The building was flanked by two 'L' shaped buildings comprising a Keepers'...
balhannah Says: I think this is one of the most beautiful buildings at Port Arthur, it probably is one of the most photographed!Built in 1836/37 by convict builders in a gothic style, it is set on a hill overlooking the convict settlement. Quite large, it was never consecrated due to its...
153 Opinions
3 Reviews and 80 Opinions The hotel is situated next the Historic Site of Port Arthur.
The Mussel Boys: I Didn't See Any Mussels! :)
saraheg77 Says: After our day at the Port Arthur Historic Site, we were staying at the Comfort Inn right near it - there didn't seem to be many restaurants around, but I remembered passing a place not long before we got there that looked quite nice. I think I found it appealing partly...
THE MUSSEL BOYS: Seafood with the Convicts
Wisxox Says: After a long day of touring the Prison system in Port Arthur a good meal is needed. After looking in town not much was there. We decided to drive north that evening and in only a few minutes found this gem. A very down to earth, friendly place, with some ambiance. We found...
Isle of the Dead or Point Puer Ferry
ATXtraveler Says: When you arrive at Port Arthur, you will need to make a decision on how long you are planning to spend here, and which activities you wish to participate in. If you choose and of the three excursions which include a boat ride, you will head down to the ferry pier where this...
kooka3 Says: Port Arthur is on the Tasman Peninsula, about 60 miles/100 km south-east of Hobart.Driving is probably the best way to get there if you can rent a car. Allow at least 1.5 hours to enjoy the drive, longer if you want to check out some of the sites along the way (well worth...
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On the way to Tasman's Arch etc., is the holiday village of Doo town.
Most of the home owners have named their homes Doo?????.
The 1st home named was DOO LITTLE, since then there has been ......
GUNADOO... DOODLE DOO... LOVE ME DO........DO US....... DOO ME........ DOO NIX..... XANADU........ RUM DOO........WE DOO..........JUST DO IT........DIDGERI DOO........ MUCH A DO........THISTLE DOO........THIS WILL DOO........DOO COME IN......... SHE'LL DOO.........HUMPTY DOO.......... MAL'S DOOG HOUSE............ DOO DROP INN...........NICKLE DOO........... POODLE DOO.........DOO NOTHING............... DOO WRITE............to name a few, with probably more since we were there last.
Written Oct 9, 2009
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If you are heading to Port Arthur, let me please give you a word of warning prior to going. A tragedy of epic proportions occurred at the Port Arthur facility on April 28th, 1996. Please do not bring this up with the tour guides, as they will likely not respond favorably. Many of the current tour guides were working at the facility when this tragedy occurred, and therefore have friends and family that died in this incident. Out of respect for them, please find out more information on this through some other medium, and respect the tour guides request not to talk about it.
If you would like to learn more about the incident, please refer to the page listed below:
Updated Apr 4, 2011
The Tasmanian Devil park just down the road from Port Arthur at Taranna http://www.tasmaniandevilpark.com/index.html. Overpriced. Understocked
We recently visited here. There are only about 10 devils in residence. The place is small with only a few exhibits and not worth the $28 entry fee for what you get to see. Our feeding time show was two old age devils who got to fight over two scraps of meat. Maybe find a better spot to see the Devils while you are in Tassie
Unique Suggestions: Snap a photo of a devil at least.
Fun Alternatives: Have a meal at the "Mussel Boys" restaurant nearby. Great food
Written Jan 5, 2010
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Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: August can get a bit chilly in Tasmania, so in particular when you are visiting Port Arthur where most of the activities are outdoors, warm clothing is a requirement. There is not much separating Port Arthur from Antarctica, so bring a nice warm coat, and possibly even some gloves on your August trip!
Also, because of the proximity to the Southern extremes, it will likely get windy, so some sort of ear and face protection is also welcome. Have a great trip!
Written Apr 20, 2008
balhannah Says: Located 26ks from Hobart, this is a service town for the surrounding grain, dairy, and sheep farming district. In 1874, the causeway was completed. Its situated on a large expanse of water called the Pittwater, looked good for water sports. There seemed to be a lot of...
St. John the Baptist Church @ BUCKLAND
balhannah Says: Buckland is a small town located quite close to Port Arthur.St John the Baptist Church is a stopping off point because of the history of its East window. We stopped and went inside and had a look, and the stained glass windows are lovely.The Church was built in 1846, and the...
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If you really want to get your fitness in while touring the Port Arthur facility, then your best bet is to walk in the old prison's insane asylum fitness yards. Similar to a maximum security facility's isolation, this particular location had individual yards for prisoners to get their hour of exercise in every day. Although just rubble now, you can see how small these individual courtyards once were.
Enjoy your walk!
Updated Apr 4, 2011
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Probably some of you didn't know that Port Arthur is a small town! Port Arthur, Tasmania was once a home to over 12,500 convicts and provided the severest form of punishment for difficult prisoners...
Port Arthur is the first place in Australia that I got a real sense of the history of the place. I was awe-struck and saddened by the experience - wandering where the convicts were imprisoned, worked,...
Port Arthur is the main town on the a lovely little Tasman peninsula that has a very narrow attachment to the mainland. This must be why it was chosen as a prison site, but it is also a beautiful......
Port Arthur - Convict's Retreat
How do you get free labour when building your empire? Send your population halfway around the world for free slave labour by sending your convicts! People who were convicted of stealing as little as...
Port Arthur Gateway to Freedom
Port Arthur was a prison founded in 1828 to deal with the tougher cases from around Australia. A new model system of isolation, and hard labor was instituted here. The prisons were also given training...
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