Exploring the fascinating historical site of Port Arthur

Port Arthur one of the most fascinating historical sites in Australia. Located in Tasmania, Port Arthur is an extremely well-preserved convict settlement. For much of the 1800's, criminals from Britain and Ireland were sent to Port Arthur. The location had been used as a timber mill but throughout the 1800's became known chiefly as a prison. Port Arthur was ideally placed because it was surrounded by water with only a tiny, heavily guarded strip of land linking it to the mainland.

The prisoners at Port Arthur produced many of the basics that they needed. They made shoes and leather goods, clothing and wooden tools. In this way, the prison population was largely self-sufficient. However, this was no idyllic community. The prisoners worked in chain gangs and beatings were not uncommon. Port Arthur came to be known as 'hell on Earth'. Port Arthur accommodation, thankfully, would not be described this way!

The hospital was constructed in 1841-42 on Settlement Hill above the prisoners' barracks. It included wards, a kitchen, baking room, laundry and morgue. It was staffed by a doctor and a number of untrained convict orderlies. Many convicts laboured in dangerous industries and jobs that meant accidents were common amoungst inmates at the hospital. The hospital building was sold to the Catholic Church in the 1890s, and damaged by bushfires in 1895 and 1897.

The tourist industry at Port Arthur began to take hold as early as the 1920's. After the prison closed, the name of Port Arthur was changed to Carnavon in an effort to shake off its dark history. However, tourists were very interested in the original convict settlement. Therefore, it was renamed Port Arthur in the 1920's. Since then, it has been a tourist destination for Australians and visitors from around the world. Today, visitors can take guided tours of the many original prison buildings at Port Arthur. You can also visit the island which is home to the graves of prisoners, known as the Island of the Dead. The suffering and death which occurred at Port Arthur has led to many ghost tales. The night ghost tour is devoted to the ghost stories surrounding the settlement.

In contrast to the dark history of Port Arthur, the area is recognized for its natural beauty. Hiking, caving and boating are some of the activities which tourists enjoy while visiting the area.

It is wise to book your accommodation well in advance because Port Arthur is one of Australia's most popular tourist destinations. The inns, Bed and Breakfasts and hotels tend to fill up quickly, particularly in the summer. Because Port Arthur is located on an island, there are not as many accommodation options as there are in nearby Hobart.

There are a number of small independently run Port Arthur accommodation options. These include pubs with accommodation, bed and breakfasts, and boutique hotels. You can also find self-catering lodges and cabins which include a kitchen. Many are positioned with views of the Port Arthur bay.