Tasmania Holiday – 2019 Day 2

Ian Schulz

Today we arose early to get a good start to the day. We hit the road and headed south a short 10km trip from our little shack to The Port Arthur Historic Site.

Port Arthur

Founded in 1830, The Port Arthur Historic Site, was used as a penal settlement until 1877. During this period over 12,500 convicts served time on the 100 acre site, situated on a shore at the southern end of the Tasman Peninsula.

We decided it best to arrive early to beat the easter long weekend crowds, getting a car park just metres from the site entry. We skipped the guided walking tour, and the 20 minute boat ride that was included in the quite reasonable entry fee, making our way around the gardens and ruins at a relaxed pace in around 3 and a half hours. There are a couple of cafe’s onsite, one in the visitor centre, and one in the asylum building, providing snacks, cold drinks and coffee.

Overall it was a good way to fill the morning. Upon entry we were given a playing card each, each matching a convict or other Port Arthur resident. A novel way to get people to understand life in the penal colony. Our cards were both convicts, sentenced to spend nine months locked below decks of a 19th century sailing ship and then a further 7 years to life for offences that today would see them slapped on the wrist and sent on their way.

Libby: A baker who horded bread

Ian: A man convicted of stealing razors

Tasman Island Cruise

Upon leaving the ruins, we made our way, a short 2 minute drive to Pennicott Wilderness Journeys, where we hopped aboard an 800 horsepower speed boat to check out the Tasman Peninsula from a slightly different perspective. 300m high Dolerite cliffs, blowholes, caves, lighthouses, and varied wildlife including, seals, eagles, albatross’, and osprey. The tour lasted around 3 hours, and thankfully didn’t end the same way it did for Gilligan and the Skipper.

Maingon Bay Lookout and Remarkable Cave

With daylight still to be enjoyed, we did what we do best, we drove until we saw something of interest, this time we happened to find a road that lead to the Remarkable cave and Maingon Bay lookout, a picturesque location with a path leading down 115 step to a viewing platform at the bottom, looking through Remarkable cave out to the ocean. Due to the light of the sun fading fast, it was only a quick stop, unfortunately unable to get down to the beach to explore the cave further.

As light faded, we headed back to our accommodation, the little beach shack in Tarrana.