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Tag: Tasman Peninsula

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Tasman Peninsula Tasmania Australia

Remains of the Low Courts

Tasman Peninsula

The Tasman Peninsula has an wonderful array of historical and natural locations explore. Containing some of Australia’s oldest convict sites, it tells the story of early colonial life while being surrounded by amazing natural beauty.

During our stay here, we visited the sites below. This is by no means all there is to see and do, as there are many more bush tracks to walk, and places to visit. We spent three days here, but could easily have taken a whole week.

Port Arthur Historic Site

Tasmania’s best known historical site, Port Arthur was once a penal settlement for convicts. For the Full blog of our trip here, click this link.

Inside The Penitentiary
Inside The Penitentiary

Geological Sites of the Tasman Peninsula

Tasmania is full of natural beauty. The wind, rain and sea have combined in places to produce wonderful geological features. For the Full blog of our trip here, click this link.

Tasman Arch

Tasman Arch
Tasman Arch

The Blow Hole

The Blowhole
The Blowhole

Remarkable Cave

  • Remarkable Cave
    Remarkable Cave

Tessellated Pavement

Tessellated Pavement Eaglehawk Neck
Tessellated Pavement Eaglehawk Neck

The Dog Line

To prevent escaped convicts leaving the Tasman Peninsula, a dogs were placed at the narrowest point. These vicious dogs are commemorated with a full sized bronze sculpture. Tasmania is full of natural beauty. The wind, rain and sea have combined in places to produce wonderful geological features. For the Full blog of our trip here, click this link.

Bronze Sculpture at the Dog Line
Bronze Sculpture at the Dog Line

Coal Mine Historic Site

Although not as popular as Port Arthur, the Coal Mine Historic Site is also an important relic of the convict past. The first coal mine in Tasmania and a place of punishment for repeat offending convicts, its ruins are worth a visit. Unlike Port Arthur, entry here is free. For the Full blog of our trip here, click this link.

Ruins at the Main Settlement Tasman Peninsula
Ruins at the Main Settlement

Cape Raoul Track

Bushwalking and hiking tracks range from under an hour to several days. We chose a five hour return walk to Cape Raoul because it provided temperate rainforest, coastal views and wildlife in the one walk. For the Full blog of our trip here, click this link.

Dolerite at Cape Raoul Tasman Peninsula
Dolerite at Cape Raoul

To read other posts about Tasmania, click here.

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Amazing Geological Sites on the Tasman Peninsula

The Blowhole

Amazing Geological Sites on the Tasman Peninsula

The rugged Tasmanian coastline lends itself to the formation of amazing geological sites, with many grouped together on the Tasman Peninsula.

Tessellated Pavement

Best accessed at low tide, the tessellated pavement at Eaglehawk Neck resembles human-made pavement. During our visit it was raining, and the tide was still going out, but we were still able to walk over most of the pavement.

A tessellated pavement is formed near the shore when fractures in the rock are eroded, forming polygons. These formations are rare, and the one at Eaglehawk Neck is one of the best examples found worldwide.

Accessing the pavement is via a staircase which leads from a carpark via a viewing platform. When walking on the rocks, be careful because the algae that grows on them is very slippery.

A café located above the carpark was a great place to have a coffee and something to eat to escape the rain once we had explored.

  • Tessellated Pavement Eaglehawk Neck Geological Sites on the Tasman Peninsula
    Tessellated Pavement Eaglehawk Neck
  • Tessellated Pavement Eaglehawk Neck Geological Sites on the Tasman Peninsula
    Tessellated Pavement Eaglehawk Neck

Tasman Arch

Once a sea cave whose roof has collapsed, Tasman Arch forms an amazing natural arch over the rocks and sea below. A large carpark provides easy access to the area and a walking track allows you to walk around both sides. Viewing is great from the safety of the surrounding fence, so don’t climb them, the cliffs are very high.

Tasman Arch Geological Sites on the Tasman Peninsula
Tasman Arch

The Blow Hole

Only a short drive from Tasman Arch the Blow Hole is another collapsed sea cave. When the sea is rough, or the tide is high, water is sprayed high into the air. A nearby carpark provides easy access to the blowhole, which is only a short walk away.

The Blowhole Geological Sites on the Tasman Peninsula
The Blowhole

Remarkable Cave

A narrow sea cavern, Remarkable Cave looks spectacular at low and high tide.

Steps lead down to the cave from the large carpark. On the way down, there are several places where you can admire the views. From the platform, the long thin cavern is amazing, and you can watch the waves wash in, while you remain safe and dry.

A viewing platform near the carpark provides views of the rugged coastline surrounding the area.

  • Coastal View at Remarkable Cave
    Coastal View at Remarkable Cave
  • Stairs Down to Remarkable Cave
    Stairs Down to Remarkable Cave
  • Remarkable Cave
    Remarkable Cave
  • Remarkable Cave
    Remarkable Cave

What Did We Think of the Amazing Geological Sites on the Tasman Peninsula?

Tasmania’s natural beauty is a major drawcard for tourists and the Tasman Peninsula has some excellent examples. These amazing sites are accessible without difficult walks, enabling people to see some of nature’s wonders. All of them were great to see and highly recommended.

To read other posts about Tasmania, click here.

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Port Arthur Historic Site Tasmania

Guard Tower

Port Arthur Historic Site

The World Heritage listed Port Arthur Historic Site contains over 30 buildings and extensive ruins. The listing reflects its importance to the story of forced migration and settlement of Australia. Primarily a penal settlement, Port Arthur also encompassed a wider community including military and civilian officers and their families. The preserved buildings and ruins tell the story of life in the early years of colonisation.

How To Get There and Parking

Located on the Tasman Peninsula, a 90-minute drive from Hobart, Port Arthur is an easy day trip. However, we chose to stay on the peninsula to see other attractions.

Several carparks at the end of the access road cater for cars and camper vans. During peak times additional room is available once the main ones are full, although there will be a slightly longer walk to the entrance.

Entry is by ticket only, but this includes a guided tour and boat trip. These are not compulsory, and you are able to walk at your own pace to explore the site if you want.

During our visit in June 2021 ticket cost was $40 per adult.

Port Arthur Historic Site

The Penitentiary

Originally built as a flour mill in 1845, insufficient water led to its conversion to a penitentiary in 1857. The current state of the building was caused by a bushfire which only left the masonry walls and barred windows.

Undertaken from 2012 to 2018, a conservation project has stabilised the building, while adding internal flooring and supports. There are Information boards detailing the operation of the building.

As you can see from the photos, it was a wet and rainy day, which added to the atmosphere of the site and its gloomy past.

  • The Penitentiary Port Arthur Historic Site
    The Penitentiary
  • Inside The Penitentiary Port Arthur Historic Site
    Inside The Penitentiary
  • Inside The Penitentiary
    Inside The Penitentiary
  • Looking Out of The Penitentiary
    Looking Out of The Penitentiary
  • Remains of The Penitentiary Port Arthur Historic Site
    Remains of The Penitentiary

Guard Tower

The guard tower gives a great view over the rest of the site, particularly the law courts located next door. Looking like a European castle, the guard tower stands above the penitentiary which gave the guards a great view.

Guard Tower Port Arthur Historic Site
Guard Tower

The Law Courts

Any convicts breaking the regulations governing the settlement were sentenced at the law courts. The façade is interesting with its windows and arches, despite its damaged interior.

  • Remains of the Low Courts
    Remains of the Law Courts
  • Remains of the Low Courts Port Arthur Historic Site
    Remains of the Law Courts

The Asylum

Built for the mental health care of convicts in the early 1860s, this building was later used as the town hall. Today it contains a display of artefacts found on site as well as prisoner uniforms.

  • The Asylum - Later the Town Hall
    The Asylum – Later the Town Hall
  • Prisoner's Uniform on Display Inside The Asylum
    Prisoner’s Uniform on Display Inside The Asylum
  • Display Inside The Asylum
    Display Inside The Asylum

The Church Port Arthur Historic Site

With only the walls and tower intact, the church, which was built in 1837 is a reminder of the importance of religion in convict reform. Up to 1100 people would attend services here on Sundays. To allow multi-denominational services, the church was never consecrated.

  • Ruins of the Church
    Ruins of the Church
  • Ruins of the Church
    Inside the Ruins of the Church
  • Ruins of the Church Port Arthur Historic Site
    Ruins of the Church

What Did We Think?

We enjoyed our visit here, with the unpredictable Tasmanian weather adding to the atmosphere. Although we did not take the boat tour, our walk through the ruins was great, so don’t be put off by the weather. As one of Australia’s premier European historical sites it’s a must visit for anyone going to Tasmania.

To read other posts about Tasmania, click here.

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