Port Arthur Historic Site

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Today we traveled to the Port Arthur World Heritage Site, a penal colony established in 1830 as a punishment station for repeat offenders for prisoners sent to Australia by the British. Prisoners were sent to Australia to serve as indentured servants for various settlement activities. Prisoners who performed their sentence without problem, were eventually given their freedom and settled Australia. Those difficult prisoners and repeat offenders were sent to Port Arthur, Tasmania, to serve in extreme conditions as ultimate punishment. The settlement area includes the original penal colony, plus the separate Point Puer Boys' Prison for those under age 16 and also an island where over 1100 have been buried. It is actually a very idyllic place, with a church, an Asylum, a hospital, various administration buildings and a beautiful garden.

Tasmania has been stressed with many bush fires, some of which have caused significant destruction of this historic site. Eucalyptus trees, which are the native trees, burn quite readily causing the brush fires to quickly go out of control.

On the way to the site, we saw beautiful ocean vistas. I had no real expectation of the island of Tasmania, but must admit I am surprised with the

beauty of the place.

I have included a few pictures taken on the way to the site, along with some of the ruins.

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Comments

[Cami ott]

Very cool! Thanks for including pictures. Looks beautiful!!

[Jim and Peggy]

Glad your trip is going well
Photo's and stories are great.

[JILL KOLBERG]

thanks for the update
love the beautiful pics and the one with my handsome brother