Introduction to today's journey
Today's journey heads south eastward from Hobart to take a cruise along the rugged coast to Tasman Island before returning to land and visiting the historic Port Arthur penal colony.
Today's Journey
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From Hobart we head I catch a tour bus south eastward towards the historic Port Arthur settlement. |
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Reaching near the end of the peninsula, we catch a large speed boat into the choppy ocean passing the spectacular cliffs and landforms of Tasman Peninsula, including Needle Rock, considered the most difficult rock climb in Australia. |
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We continue following the coast passing the same dolerite formations as I had seen in the mountains on the Overland Trail. Somewhere high above is the Three Capes Trail, another popular walking track. |
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We go to as far as Tasman Island, the point of Australia closest to New Zealand just 1485 kilometres away. Looking northward back along the peninsula rise Tasmania's highest cliffs towering 300 metres high. This point marks the end of the Tasman Sea and the start of the Southern Ocean. |
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Returning along the coast, we cut across to the other side of the peninsula to the sheltered harbour of Port Arthur, where one of Australia's earliest and most notorious penal colonies was established. |
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After lunch, we visit the remains of the Arrow Cafe, abandoned in 1996 following Australia's worse gun massecre where 35 people dining here were killed. |
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Heading into the main settlement, the building that stands out is what was originally built as a flour mill and granary, was converted to the main jail block when it proved to be uneconomic. The crumbling ruins have been stabilised allowing access through its many rooms. |
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After exploring numerous buildings I reach a high security prison, where the jail cells have been preserved in pristine condition. |
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Near the jail I enter the courthouse where prisoners were tried and sentenced. |
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Away from the prisons in another area stand many of the original cottages of the officials and workers who ran the colony. They all have nice gardens and a lot of character. Amongst the houses were other buildings, including the remains of a couple of churches. |
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