Time to head home.

It was time to say goodbye to Port Arthur and start our journey home.  We had accommodation organised to stay in Swansea for one night before going home.  The day we were meant to leave Swansea was the most terrible storm, and it was cold and windy with torrential rain, so we stayed put for another night.  The next day was sunny and cold, but no wind or rain.  Perfect to head home.

Sign post along the way.

We didn't stop at Eaglehawk Neck as the Tasman Arch, 

Devil's Kitchen and Blowhole

are closed for renovations to the walking tracks.

We detoured to the Blue Lagoon to buy some oysters.

That's dinner all organised.

LOL.  Women's apparel on the fence.

Prosser River Reservoir.

Prosser River.

View of Maria Island from Orford.

Marina at Triabunna.

Lovely little coffee shop at Triabunna.

We stopped at Spiky Bridge along the way.

Spiky Bridge is a unique, convict built bridge located about 

7.5 kms south of Swansea.  Constructed around 1843, it is

 famous for its mortarless fieldstone design and jagged 

vertical stones, offering a quirky historical stop. 

Comfy bed in our cabin in Swansea.

Views from the beach at Swansea.

We went to Morris General Store (IGA) in Swansea for some supplies.

We had Oysters Kilpatrick for dinner.

We didn't do much the next day due to the weather.

I didn't take any photos.

We left Swansea on a nice sunny day and stopped at the Oyster Shack at Dolphin Sands.

A view of the Hazards from Dolphin Sands.

It was a cold slow trip home due to the icy wet roads.

A view along the way.

The Kalangadoo Store along the Lake Leak Road.

The silhouette just out of Perth.

Over the bridge at the Cataract Gorge heading home.

We had a lovely time away.  If we go away in winter again

I think we might take the car instead.  However, 

travelling on the Spyder was a real adventure.

Out and about at Port Arthur

While the weather wasn't too rainy we went for a ride to check out the other attractions in the area.

We found a Gin and Whisky Distillery.

It was along a little dirt road.

Some of the Gins.

Some of the Whisky.

My tasting paddle.

Butterfly Gin, Sloe Gin and Damson Gin.

Richard's tasting paddle of whisky..

Next pitstop was the Lavender Farm

We had lavender cheese cake to share.

So yummy.

The gift shop was full of some lovely items.

Chocolate lavender freckles.

Lavender Melting Moments.

I bought some Lavender Honey and Lavender Berry Jam.

Then we went to see the Remarkable Cave.

The Remarkable Cave photo taken c1913.

View of Cape Raoul from the Remarkable Cave lookout.

Then back to the Port Arthur Cafe for Carrot Cake

and cappuccino.  Another great day.

Port Arthur

We went back to Port Arthur during the day time.  A ticket allows you entry on two consecutive days, so we made the most of it.  The weather was cold and rainy, but we had the place to ourselves most of the time.  It's a wonderful time to visit when it's off season.

Entry into Port Arthur.

The Penitentiary.

The Government Garden.

Windows in the Penitentiary.

I've checked for ghosts.

The Commandant's House.

Blue Willow in the Commandant's House kitchen.

Dead Man's Island.

The Isle of the Dead is a tiny cemetery island 

in the harbour of Port Arthur Historic site. 

Between 1833 and 1877, it served as the final

resting place for over 1,000 individuals 

who died at the penal settlement.

Point Puer.

Point Puer operated from 1834 to 1848 on the Tasman Peninsula,

the first British purpose-built reforming institution for criminal boys.

There was a display about the young convict boys

who lived at Point Puer.

Some of the Point Puer boys.

Some of the boys did well in learning skills.

Others did not do so well.

Fire lit in solitary confinement cells.

A reconstruction of how the cell would have been.

The convicts had to wear heavy, hooded cloth masks, 

referred to as beaks or sack-masks, 

whenever they left their solitary cells.  

This cruel psychological tool was used as part 

of the settlement's  'separate and silent" regime.

In the closed cell doors are peep holes with photos 

of convicts and information of their crimes.

Looking through the peep hole.

The Guard Tower.

Another view of the Guard Tower.

The Guard Tower was build it 1836

This graffiti was carved into the column

of the Guard Tower in 1863.

Time to warm up and a late lunch of 

salt and pepper squid and chips

at the Port Arthur cafe.