Port Arthur Prison

We stayed overnight in a cabin at Sunset Beach close to the famous prison location, so we were able to arrive and catch an early tour. The tour included a cruise about the harbour.

The Port Arthur historical prison site was established in the early 1830's. It was a natural prison because of the narrow isthmus, guarded by ferocious dogs. The prisoners were taught a trade and they made everything there to last. There was even successful shipbuilding done there for the Government of Tasmania, by the prisoners. There was forced attendance of church services. It was a harsh place, and when punishment was not effective physically, it was dealt out psychologically through isolation confinement, even to wearing a mask when being moved.

We were amazed by what remained. Such history. The church had burned down but the stone walls remain. The officers quarters was dismantled along with some other buildings, but there is much that is still there. The area is very large and the restoration work covering many different periods.

One part of history this tourist establishment has not yet wanted to record was the 1995 massacre, when a gunman (or gunmen) killed many visitors in and about the main building and car park. Maybe this will happen with the next generation. The pain still lingers. The pain from the 1830's onwards sill hovers there.