It’s a stunning geographical location that recalls some of Australia’s darker history. In the literature that I was given I read two conflicting information. Some experts say that only the worst criminals were send to this hard to escape penitentiary while others write that the inmates had either done nothing wrong or were convicted of only a minor infraction. Nevertheless, the degree of punishment was extremely severe. The overriding opinion was that you could reform men through religion or solitary confinement. the former only driving men crazy. Walking through the “Separate Prison” certainly showed you how easily this could happen.
The church towered over the whole colony.
The Accountant for the prison’s HouseHowever, in spite of the dreariness of Port Arthur’s past, this small town was well worth the stop. It toot me the whole day to see it all and go through as many of the buildings that I could. The Australians like the New Zealanders are very good at bringing their history alive. The museum displays were extremely well done. They also had outside speakers that would come alive as you walked by and project the noises of men working at the trade that archaeologists have proven happened at that exact location. The visitors center had a well-stocked gift shop that I enjoyed browsed through. Once again Australia like New Zealand is fairly costly. However, I just had to buy some socks for both Sharon and I. They were Lavender scented aromatherapy socks with massaging soles and Aloe Vera Moisturizer. I told you my feet were hurting me. While I was eating my lunch out on an outdoor deck, a kindly French gentleman came out to ask me if I could read English.
I guess he was only looking out for my safety but I thought it was rather funny, it was cloudy and I didn’t see a wasp in sight. I just now remembered the fact that Australia contains more animals and insects that will kill you than anywhere else in the world. So maybe these were killer wasps. Oh well….I lived to see another day.
In the afternoon, I took a solitary walk that went away from the Historical sites towards Stewarts Bay. I have never seen such huge Eucalyptus trees, the aroma of these beautiful trees just about picks you up and takes you away.
My walk ended at Stewarts Bay Reserve where there was a quiet beach with only a few people walking on it. A great place for me to do some serious contemplating…so I sat her entranced by the sounds of nature, the waves lapping the shore, the birds of the sea and forest and the wind as it goes through the beach grass and the eucalyptus trees. I am all myself. Perfection.
I so wanted to take a nap but I had to see and hear more about the epic story of the settlement of this country. Thankfully done of my ancestors arrived in chains here (they had 2 research computers that I could enter my families name). You could also enter the name of a country, so I entered Ireland and up came with about 30 names, where they were from and when they ended up at Port Arthur.
This was added to the site after WW1. After the penal colony stopped running, a town developed in it’s place. At one time there was even a hotel run out of the Commandant’s house.
The back side of the Commandant’s house with it’s five chimneys.Upon our departure the Captain told us that he was going to take us on a scenic trip out to Cape Raoul. In his opinion it’s the most interesting Cape that he has ever sailed around. It’s the southern most point of Australia.
CapeRaoulSo there were most of the passengers leaning over the starboard side to take pictures and to just gasp. It was a marvelous sight. I had just gotten out of the Hot Tub so I stood there in a wet bathing suit taking pictures in a blustery wind. So I do hope you appreciate this shot that I got.
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