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.