A year ago we set off on a family adventure. We spent two wonderful weeks rambling about Tasmania in a little hire car. Tassie is an absolutely beautiful part of Australia, and filled with tangible reminders of our convict era.
This is no better seen than at Historic Port Arthur. The prison site is spread over a large area and we spent most of a day wandering within the ruins. The sandstone walls stand silent and eerie, barred windows looking out across the deep blue water of the bay.
The stonework is all that remains of the Port Arthur church. Inside is carpeted in lush green grass and tiny yellow flowers. The ceiling is the sky. It felt very peaceful here.
Richmond Gaol is another convict site we visited. We were able to tour the solitary confinement cells, the flogging yard, and the cookhouse. We also learned that the site is reportedly haunted - from memory there had been a sighting near the furthest door in this photo. It was a little creepy knowing this, but it was bright and sunny while we were there and we didn't experience anything unusual.
This cell window at Richmond Gaol has names and pictures of boats carved by the convicts who were held here.
I hope you've liked this little taste of our trip!
All photos my own, snapped with a Samsung S5 mobile phone.