We set off from Freycinet NP and were off to Port Arthur. It wasn't a long trip, just three and a bit hours. On the way l made a few enquires about camping spots in national parks, after some thinking Marty and l decided stuff it, we need a caravan park. We needed flushing toilets, hot showers, a laundry and some company. It actually even out cost wise as we were going to have to pay for showers anyway and fuel to get into Port Arthur everyday (this was our reasoning anyway). We arrived at Port Arthur holiday park and booked in for the three nights, cost us $33 per night (was unpowered too), bit pricey but it is a tourist destination. We had a spot on our site where we could have a fire, our site was big and sheltered and the camp kitchen was incredible. Had two joining rooms, alot of space to cook, heaps of seating space and a tv which the girls noticed straight away and put Dora on!! After looking around, Marty headed straight for the showers as he hadn't had one for three days and he smelt like it!!! The wuss wouldn't have a cold one at Freycinet... We then took a quick drive around for a sticky beak of the area. We ended up at a lookout to view ''The Remarkable Caves'. It was awesome! Huge cliff faces along the ocean with waves crashing. We walked down the path to the viewing platform and could hear the noise of rolling rocks. Got down to see a huge cave, separated by a tunnel of water coming in from the ocean and crashing thru. As the water was rolling back to the ocean the rocks on the ground would roll with it, the noise was pretty loud. Was pretty amazing to see right thru the cave out to the ocean on the other side, it was probably at least 50m long. The girls thought it was pretty cool. After this we headed back to camp and sat in The camp kitchen for a while charging all our crap, the laptop, ds's and cameras. We took up most of the power points we had so much stuff. The girls were fixed on the tv, bloody pay tv with Dora! Then they found kids and they were off. Had been a while without playing with others so they were in their prime. After enjoying some quite time without the kids annoying us we had to round them up (b*****). We had our tea in the comfort of indoors for a change, then it was shower time!! Had been looking forward to this all day. The showers had a five minute timer on them that would shut off for two minutes before the hot water would come back on. So there was no way l was going to rush my shower to have one with the girls. I showered them first then took them back to the tent. Then it was time for me and l didn't care about the two minute interruption, l had the ten minutes. It was heaven!!! Little things mean do much these days, like a bloody shower...lol.
The next day we got up with the thought of heading to Port Arthur Historic Site but the weather was crap, drizzling with rain and it looked like it was going to be like that all day. So change of plans, we took a drive out on the convicts trail, a route following some important convict sites. We drove thru Nubenna, a little coastal town and headed up to Lime Bay State Reserve where the Coals Mine Historic Site was located. The Coal Mines Historic Site is outstanding for its insight into Australia's convict history and the use of convicts as a cheap source of labour for the exploitation of local resources. Today the mine shafts are evident as circular depressions in the landscape, and 18 damp dark alternating solitary cells convey the grim harshness of Australia's convict history. We took a self guided tour, it was pretty gruesome how we treated convicts back then and the history of the site was detailed and really informative. The cells that they occupied we're so small and dark, l don't know how they didn't go insane!! After walking around for an hour or so and snapping heaps of pics on the camera we headed off to our next stop,
Eagle hawk neck. First stop was the Tessellated Pavement, a rare geological phenomenon where rocks fractured by the movement of the earth have been eroded by the waves and sediment of the Tasman Sea… it is fascinating stuff. We headed down the stairs and explored the area, it looked amazing. We then had our famous peanut butter sanga's for lunch then headed down the road to the Eagleneck Office quarters and dog line. The Dog Line was were a line of ferocious dogs and detachment of military guards once kept a constant watch along the narrow isthmus at Eaglehawk Neck. They were on the lookout for escaped convicts from Port Arthur. The military station was established at the Neck in 1832 under the command of Ensign Darling. It was a vital link in the strict security system which operated throughout the Tasman and Forestier Peninsulas during the convict period. We took the walk along the line up to a metal statue of a dog that the girls climbed up on and pretended to ride. The girls just have no idea of the significance of the site, but it is hard for them to understand seeing their innocent kids. Glad they don't understand really, let them stay innocent for as long as they can l say! Anyway, after this we took a short drive up the road thru Doo Town, a really cool place where people have taken the 'Doo' to the next level and had signs outside their houses naming them. Such as "Doo #uck All", "Dooing a Bit", "Doolittle", and "Doo us". Every house had a sign, pretty funny reading them all. Got up to our next stop to see the last three sites: the Tasman blowhole, Tasman arch and the Devils kitchen. The girls were getting a bit over it but were pretty impressed with the blowhole. Marty and l not so much, we haven't seen a good one yet! Anyway the arch was pretty cool, self explanatory. An arched sandstone formed from water washing the bottom away. The Devils Kitchen was a bit of a let down. Couldn't really view it that well. It's a The Devil's Kitchen is an unusual rock formation carved by the sea through the sheer rock face of the eastern coast of the Peninsula. The huge cliffs were impressive though. We were all a bit knackered and cold, was late in the arvo so we headed back to camp and chilled out for the rest of the day and night. Headed to bed early as it would be another big day tomorrow.
Our last day in Port Arthur and the weather is a little better, cloudy but no rain, yet! Anyway we headed off earlyish to the Port Arthur Historical Site. We purchased a Bronze ticket entry with audio commentary boxes. Boo was excited about the audio boxes and it proved the best thing we got that day as kept Boo happy all day! We took the quick half hour guided talk that gave us an overview of the history and buildings. As soon as you walk down and can view the Penitentiary you feel an overwhelming shiver that goes thru your body. The whole place gives you a feeling of sadness and dread knowing what has taken place back in the 1800's and in 1996. We took a small harbor cruise (disappointing) and then walked around thru the 30 historical buildings and remains. The audio boxes were great at we could listen about the buildings and history involved whilst standing in front if it. Was great for Boo and she thoroughly enjoyed it and l think learnt a little too. Overall, Port Arthur is Australia's most shameful history in treatment of convicts. It was used as a punishment station for repeat offenders from all the Australian colonies, having 2000 in total at one stage. The convicts were used as slave labour on this industrial settlement. It was thought if the convicts were worked hard and given severe punishment if they acted out (whippings or solitary confinement) and had religion shoved down their throats then they could be reformed. Many men were broken, some were reformed. Overall, our experience was better (and longer) than we'd thought it was going to be. We were there all day, the girls did well walking around the vast amount of grounds. The buildings looked spectacular, showing off their heritage greatly. The church was s highlight, with it's bell go gong every hour. The colonials house was amazing, huge and well restored. This was definitely a highlight of our Tasmania trip, although we were overwhelmed with knowledge and was a little hard to absorb do much history in one day. One thing that is made very clear on arrival is that the 1996 massacre will not be spoken about and the effects aren't showcased except for a little remembrance plaque if the three staff killed. I had goose bumps when l saw it and felt so much for them, they were three young women, gone forever....
This was our last day in Port Arthur and we have had a great time learning about our history and seeing amazing coastlines with awesome cliff faces, stunning country once again. Tomorrow we're off to our last camp for Tasmania, a little town called Cygnet will be our base to explore Hobart and southerly surrounds...
Bell Xxx