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Published: January 17th 2008
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This morning we got up and went downstairs for breakfast with our complimentary vouchers. We are not quite sure how we managed to get these - when G phoned up to book on Friday, the reservation team were busy so he left our number for them to phone us back. After about 10 minutes we were ready to leave to go to Apollo Bay so he decided to phone back to see if they were available and managed to get through and made the booking (and booked a room only rate). Half way to Apollo Bay, reservations called our phone, obviously after being passed our number from our original call, and I explained that we had already called back and made a reservation but that I would like to change our rate to a breakfast inclusive rate. The nice woman said no worries and that she would throw in complimentary breakfast (not sure why but who are we to say no!).
After breakfast we headed up to pick up our hire car to head to Port Arthur. I phone mum on the way and the official first blog tube of the year must be awarded to mum (shortly followed by
Ede I believe who didn’t know that mum’s thoughts were wrong!) - to clarify, it was a bird that pooped on G at Philip Island (I have checked the blog and it does quite clearly say that) - and for the avoidance of doubt - little fairy penguins cant fly!
The journey to Port Arthur was slightly less traumatic than the one to Apollo bay (possibly just because it was shorter - the roads were still twisty and turny) and we arrived at about 11am. I am also pleased to tell you that I directed G exactly the right way without seeing glasses! I will pass to G to tell you about the area as he paid much more attention to all the history than me!
Probably best that I do this bit - as C was definitely more interested in spotting the sun than exploring the sights of Port Arthur! Port Arthur lies about 100km south east of Hobart on the Tasman Peninsula and is regarded as Tasmania’s premier tourist attraction. It is a historical penal colony, which was established in 1830, initially as a camp for cutting timber for government projects, and then, from 1833, as
a punishment station to which any of the convicts transported to Australia from Britain were sent if they re-offended whilst in Australia. Doesn’t sound much - but I must admit that I found it fascinating. Although it system of penal reform would seem pretty brutal at times now, it was regarded as ground breaking at the time - with the colony seeking to convert convicts into law-abiding citizens through a combination of punishment, work, education and religion. It was also the site of one of the first asylums in the world. It operated for over 40 years as a penal colony, but closed in 1877, with the cessation of transportation of convicts to Van Diemen’s Land (now Tasmania) depriving it of the young adults it needed to continue to be self-sufficient.
As a tourist attraction, you are able to wander through the old buildings - which include the Commandant’s House, Penitentiary (which was originally a flour mill), Separation Prison (where convicts were sent to spend periods of solitary confinement), hospital and church.
But our visit started with a guided cruise around the harbour of Port Arthur - where we learnt of the many ships that the convicts built
whilst at Port Arthur, toured around the Isle of the Dead (where 1,100 people who died at Port Arthur are buried - C was too scared to get off the boat and walk around here!) and Point Peur (which was the site of a Boys’ Prison). We also got a feel for the reason that Port Arthur - despite being a penal colony - didn’t require any fences or walls to keep the convicts in. It is bounded by water on one side, and steep densly-rain forested hills on the other three. We also were at the point where there was nothing but water between us and Antartica!
From there, on to a guided walking tour of the Port Arthur site - which introduced us to the key buildings on the site, and some of the stories of the convicts who stayed there. Most horrifying of these was a story about one convict whose arm required to be amputated - which was achieved by pulling his arm of his socket, and then cauterizing the bleeding wound with a hot frying pan. Ouch! Most amusing, though, was the story of one convict who tried to escape by dressing up as
a kangaroo (after finding one and skinning it - and trying to hop pass the waiting guards!
Having put up with three hours of guided tours by that point, C was awarded with a (bit late!) lunch time tinnie - before we spent the rest of the afternoon exploring the various buildings and gardens that make up the site.
After Port Arthur we headed back to Hobart at about 4pm and decided to drive the 1250 metres (and 22 kilometers) up Mount Wellington, which towers over the city, to see the views back down. We had considered doing a tour tomorrow which would involve us cycling down the mountain, but when I watched the temperature gauge in the car fall from about 28 degrees at the bottom to 8 degrees at the top, I was delighted we decided against this! When we reached the top we parked the car (we did not lock it as we read in the tourist information office that the height can play havoc with the electronics in the car and your central locking may disable) and headed out for a look at the view. The view was incredible but as I had my
skirt and vest top on I shortly trotted back to the car with blue hands while G took some pictures.
When G got back into the car, he started the engine and we put on the heater (I think this may have been the first time the heater had ever been used) and soon all I felt was a big jolt forward and “bloody hell” coming from the driver who was looking confused as to why the car jolted forward. After I reminded G that the car was an automatic and it was in drive and not reverse (and feeling very relieved we were not parked facing the edge of the mountain) the second tube of the day award was given and we headed back down the mountain and back to the hotel.
We headed out for dinner to a Mexican restaurant that we spotted during our walk yesterday which turned out to be a great find as they did their salsa without garlic! After a lovely dinner we headed back along to the harbour and sat overlooking the water with a drink before heading back to the hotel.
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