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.
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
Tuolsburg Prison, Cambodia
Elmina Castle Prison, Ghana
Useful staff nearby
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