Port Arthur is a former penal colony which originally opened as a timber station in 1830. It became a prison settlement for male convicts in 1833 and quickly gained a reputation for being ‘hell-on-earth’. Convicts ranged from boys as young as nine through to hardened criminals. The prison closed in 1877 and was renamed Carnarvon in an attempt to lose its former associations; however, in 1927 it was reinstated as Port Arthur. Today, the prison is open to the public and visitors can take part in guided tours and harbour cruises. There is also an interpretation gallery where visitors can find out about some of the convicts that were sentenced there.

Visitor Centre, Port Arthur Historic Site, Port Arthur, Tasmania 7182, Australia
Tel: (1800) 659 101
Website: www.portarthur.org.au

Air: Hobart International Airport. Road: Coach: Tigerline and Experience Tasmania operate day tours (from Hobart). Car: Reached by scenic drive, which takes approximately 1.5 hours along the Tasman and Arthur highways.

Australian Tourist Commission
PO Box 2721, Sydney, NSW 2001, Australia
Tel: (02) 9360 1111. Fax: (02) 9331 6469.
Website: www.atc.net.au or www.australia.com
Australian Tourist Commission
Gemini House, 10-18 Putney Hill, London SW15 6AA, UK
Tel: (020) 8780 2229 or (0906) 863 3235 (Brochure request line; calls cost 60p per minute). Fax: (020) 8780 1496.

Australia