22 | July | 2012 | Our Travels

Yesterday, Mal and I spent the day driving down to Port Arthur, about one hour from our home. We revisited the “Port Arthur Historic Site”. The site contains more than 30 historic buildings, extensive ruins and beautiful grounds. We took the short ferry ride from the site to the “Isle of the Dead” cemetery and passed the site of the old and long gone Point Puer Boy’s Prison. The Port Arthur site was built by convict labour in the 1830’s.

On Sunday 28th April 1996, a tragic chapter was added to Port Arthur’s history when a gunman (Martin Bryant), took the lives of 35 people and physically wounded 19 others in and around the Port Arthur Historic Site. Among them were locals from Port Arthur. The Memorial Garden incorporates the shell of the Broad Arrow Cafe where 20 people were killed during the massacre, and has been created as a place of remembrance and reflection. ( en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Port_Arthur,_Tasmania )

Port Arthur 010 — Inside the Memorial Gardens

Port Arthur 011 — Port Arthur is a peaceful spot...except maybe school holidays !

Port Arthur 013 — Ros inside the main prison building

Port Arthur 012 — Looking back to the historic site from Mason Cove

Port Arthur 015 — Part of the Penitentiary

Port Arthur 017 — A beautiful and very reflective spot

Port Arthur 019 — We loved the old fences

Port Arthur 021 — very old trees in winter bareness

Port Arthur 020 — Looking out the door of the Commandant's house

Port Arthur 022 — St David's Church in the foreground with the old church in the background.

Port Arthur 023 — one of the many old cottages beautifully restored

Port Arthur 025 — Much of the decorative stonework and joinery in the old church was crafted by the boys from the Point Puer Boy's Prison

We spent a relaxing time exploring the tiny Dunalley, a quaint fishing village built around man-made Denison Canal, which has a swing bridge for road traffic.

Dunalley connects Forestier Peninsula with the rest of Tasmania. It is enroute to Port Arthur and well known for fresh seafood.

Denison Canal was hand-dug between 1901 and 1905. The swing bridge allows boats easy access between the two bays and local legend has it that the ‘toll’ to the gatekeeper is a bottle of beer. We enjoyed the open countryside and stunning waterways. Mal’s goal when he picks up his boat soon from the Gold Coast, is to take the boat on a trip for a few days, leaving from South Arm (3 minutes from our home) and travel through the Dunalley Canal to Marion Bay and up to Maria Island.

We ended the day, visiting Barilla Bay oysters for dinner. A fine way to end the day. 30 oysters varying from Kilpatrick with Barilla Bay’s own Worcestershire sauce, Spinach & parmesan mornay, Thai flavours, Tempura battered with guacamole and of course delicious natural. Barilla Bay is not far from our home so we are frequent visitors.

http://www.barillabay.com.au

Our Travels

Daily Archives: July 22, 2012

Port Arthur, Tasmania

Barilla Bay Oysters and Dunalley , Tasmania

Mal & Ros's Travel Adventures