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One place for which people have an innate curiosity that instills fear, yet people desire to visit when on holiday to Hobart, TAS, is the Port Arthur prison. At one point, the facility was a fully functional prison for convicts in what was then a virtually unknown country.
Even in its current abandoned condition, the ambience is chilling despite the Australian climate. Still, the brisk breeze could prove slightly cool from the position on the tip of a small bay. Imagining life there as a convict with the natural beauty surrounding them only to not be able to enjoy it was indeed a semblance of cruelty.
The remnants standing on Port Arthur share historical details of Australia’s past, unlike most other tourist attractions, making it a primary destination when travelling to the country on holiday. If you stay in a Hobart, TAS, hotel accommodation, reaching the site on tour is relatively easy to do. The cultural and historical significance make the visit a must; if not on a first trip, there would need to be a second.
Port Arthur’s Significant To Australia’s History
Port Arthur is one of Tasmania’s busiest attractions as merely one of Australia’s 11 convict sites that comprise the “World Heritage List” (UNESCO). The historical and cultural significance it offers about the country warrants the visit, though it is a somber, frightening experience, not one of enjoyment. Australia established from these penal colonies, and tours typically include a visit for the historical content.
The History Of A Convict Site
The former convict site is naturally secure, with the mainland joined by the Eaglehawk Neck isthmus. In 1830 the area had its start in timber settlement with ocean access only for a while. Because of this remoteness, the decision in 1833 was that it should have use as a penal colony, with its name chosen after the Lieutenant Governor, George Arthur.
Over the next two decades, the area was home to Britain’s most harsh convicted criminals. The penal community provided the strictest security methods for the “British Penal System,” having the designation of the inescapable prison. Still, there were some escapes.
Recognized as among the worst systems, it was harsh and brutal, especially with its psychological tactics. Site visitors indicate the “sadness and dread linger within the walls of the varied buildings as though it never left, even with this much passage of time.” The prison closed officially in the year 1877.
There are accommodations for you to stay at Port Arthur, TAS, for those interested in day trips. The suggestion is to choose Hobart accommodations and travel to the site, which isn’t that far.
The Penitentiary
The Penitentiary is exceptionally damaged, but it is probably the most notable building on the historic land. The original intent was for a granary and flour mill, but it converted to its ultimate status in 1857. The worst convicts, referenced as “lions,” found themselves housed in 136 cells located on the bottom of the building. These prisoners displayed the most challenging behavior.
The central area of the building is where you would find a library, a dining area, plus a Catholic chapel. Men considered less troublesome houses in dormitory-like settings on the top floor. Other spaces included an “ablutions” yard, a bakery, plus a kitchen. The building had the designations as the grandest of them all within the penal colony. It was left to neglect after 1877 and interiorly destroyed in 1897 by a fire.
“Separate Prison Typology”
At some point, Port Arthur progressed from the corporal punishment concept into more psychological punishment methods. The adaptation of “Jeremy Betham’s theories” and “panopticon” started with the label “model prison.” The idea was those whippings, a form of corporal punishment, were basically doing more harm than good. Instead of reforming, these were hardening the prisoners.
With psychological reform, food became a type of reward situation. There was also a “silence” system where offenders had to place a hood over their heads and remain silent without seeing others around them.
This Separate Prison building, shaped in the form of a cross, had each corner dedicated as an exercise yard. The center hall housed the Chapel, plus there was a surveillance core for the prison, each of which joined the prisoner sections.
This building gives indications of renovations and shows psychological punishment experiments. Many prisoners ultimately succumbed to mental illness due to the extended periods of silence and darkness. That wasn’t the anticipation for the system, but how could you expect people to even survive under such conditions, let alone reform.
The Isle Of The Dead
The cemetery on Port Arthur, coined The Isle Of The Dead, is the subject of many tall tales about hauntings and ghosts. Actually, many tourism agencies accompany visitors to the site for scary stories and frightening experiences. The cemetery is home to nearly 1700 graves, of which you will only find 180 with markings.
The site is frightful, sad, melancholy, and dreadful due to the harshness of what many men suffered, but whether you believe in ghosts coming from the experience is a personal matter. Still, it makes for a bit of added eeriness on tour. Look here for a peek at the ghost stories.
Final Thought
Many choose Tasmania and Hobart as their holiday of choice because of the rich history, culture, and countryside. Port Arthur is the epitome of Australian history. It is where the country gradually began to develop.
A trip to the country isn’t genuinely complete without visiting the somber site. But then it’s essential to see the beauty that arose from those harsh beginnings. Australia is continuing to grow and expand. It makes a name for itself in many different mediums.
While Hobart and Tasmania are small, they are also developing rapidly with many attractions with which you can have fun, much night-life entertainment, incredible food, and luxurious accommodations. Go to https://www.guideguys.com.au/b…bart-to-port-arthur/ for a travel guide on going from Hobart to Port Arthur. Even if you return to the exact location with each holiday, the holiday will be a unique experience.
