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Port Arthur Prison, Australia

From series “Famous prisons of the world”
Year: 1833.

Port Arthur Prison is a world-famous landmark. It is located in Tasmania. It was founded in 1833. The prison was used to hold the most dangerous criminals for almost 20 years. Only Irish and British criminals were held in the prison in its early years. Dangerous criminals began to be brought from all over the world to the main Australian prison after. The historic prison building has never been reconstructed over the years. However, many buildings managed to survive very well.

Port Arthur Prison, Australia The prison is a large architectural complex. There is an old church, a hospital, and a specialized psychiatric hospital on its territory. Almost all of these structures were built by prisoners. The main component of the architectural complex is considered to be the prison building itself. It's a bit like a windmill in shape. It originally served just such a role. The mill worked at the expense of the prisoners. They turned millstones.

The productivity of the mill was very small. Therefore, it was decided to convert it into a regular prison. Port Arthur is considered the most famous penal prison in the world. It was characterized by incredibly strict conditions of detention during the years of work. The prison guards were very strong. It just wasn't possible to escape from it. Not everyone knows that it was originally decided to build a logging station on the island of Port Arthur. It was planned to harvest the tree on the island. The wood was intended for the construction of new British colonies located on the continent.

The logging base was converted into prison only three years later. The convict prison lost its original significance in the second half of the 19th century. It was closed in 1877. Guided tours are available here. Travelers are told that some prisoners still managed to escape from a strict prison. Some forms of escape amaze with their originality. One of the prisoners put on a kangaroo skin in an attempt to escape. But he could not escape the sight of the vigilant guards. Next - Elmina Castle Prison


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Elmina Castle Prison, Ghana Elmina Castle Prison, Ghana

Port Arthur Prison - interactive map

Useful staff nearby

ATM bankomat: 'StarATM' located in 6.68 km ( check the route on the map).
Car rental office: 'Tassie Motor Shacks' is located in 39 km ( on the map).
Fuel station: 'Old Trading Store' in 10 km
Supermarket: 'IGA X-press' in 4.12 km
Parking: 'Devils Kitchen Car Park' in 18 km
Apotheek: 'Tasman Chemmart Pharmacy' in 6.23 km
Police station: 'Nubeena Police Station' in 6.41 km
Cafe/restaurant: 'Commandants Table Restaurant' in 6.21 km

Nearest airports:
 »  Hobart Airport HBA - in 40 km
 »  Launceston Airport LST - in 184 km

Best hotels near Port Arthur Prison

Harpers On The Beach

Located in 4 km from Port Arthur Prison
Route on the map:
Rooms: 4
Harpers on the Beach offers 3 spacious B&B rooms and a 2-bedroom self-contained cottage. All accommodation is equipped with a TV and DVD player, a … More: photo, rates and booking
Blossoms on the Bay

Located in 5 km from Port Arthur Prison
Route on the map:
Rooms: 1
Blossoms on the Bay Cottage is a 10-minute walk from the start of the Shipstern's Bluff trail, a famous surfing spot. It is within a 20-minute drive … More: photo, rates and booking
Port Arthur Villas

Located in 6 km from Port Arthur Prison
Route on the map:
Rooms: 9
Situated on lovely grounds with landscaped gardens, Port Arthur Villas features a guest laundry, children's playground and BBQ facilities. The tour … More: photo, rates and booking
Fox and Hounds Inn

Located in 7 km from Port Arthur Prison
Route on the map:
Rooms: 39
Heated guest rooms are fitted with tea/coffee making facilities, a minibar and electric blankets. The en suite bathroom offers shower and a … More: photo, rates and booking

Nearest unique sightseeing spots to visit

Australian Convict Sites
6 km - Australian Convict Sites
A lot of amazing historical monuments remained on the continent in memory of the active colonial expansion that was conducted by Europeans in Australia. Once, British Empire built  dozens of penal settlements; eleven of them survived to our times. Today, they are …
Henry Jones Art Hotel
46 km - Henry Jones Art Hotel
Henry Jones Art Hotel is located in Hobart, Australia. It was opened in a building built in 1861. The jam factory was located in this building in the past. Its setting is an amazing mix of historical elements and art installations today. Unusual designer jewelry is …
Franklin River
176 km - Franklin River
Franklin River, which flows in the western district of Tasmania, is a tributary of the Gordon River and has the length of about 129 km. At the moment the territory surrounding Tasmania's longest river is a nature reserve and attracts not only the fans of ecotourism …
Victoria Coast
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Australia is rich in amazing paleontological discoveries. During one of the expeditions, bones of the upper limb of a dinosaur were discovered on the coast of Victoria. That part could only belong to a single specie of ancient reptiles, megaraptor. The uniqueness of …
Regent Theatre
638 km - Regent Theatre
The famous Regent Theater is located on one of the central streets of Melbourne. It is not only a cultural center important for the city but also a unique architectural monument. The theater was opened in 1929. Its hall was designed for 3,250 spectators. The theater …
Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens
639 km - Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens
Fans of architectural attractions are sure to be impressed by the Royal Exhibition Building, located in the suburban area of ​​Melbourne. Together with Carlton gardens, it represents the great architectural, historical, aesthetic, and social value. The beautiful …
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