Day 20 Tasmania - The Contrast of Convicts, History, and Beautiful Gardens

20 October: Tasmania

Tasmania is an island that has always interested me and despite it being close, we haven’t been there – yet. The climate is like parts of New Zealand, but unlike NZ it has a rich history in convicts.

More than 70,000 men, women and children were transported from their home to Van Diemens Land in the early 1800s - many for paltry reasons - and a lot of the places and features built during that time are still standing. Five of Australia's eleven UNESCO World Heritage listed convict sites can be found in Tasmania.

The most famous penal settlement is Port Arthur, built on picturesque Mason Cove and surrounded by dense forest. Maybe you’d like to take a Ghost tour - or an Isle of the Dead Cemetery tour?

Nearby is Tasmania's coal first mine, formerly operated by over 500 convicts. Wander the surrounding bushland and explore these mining ruins and relics. 

Sarah Island

Richmond Jail

Richmond Gaol built in 1825 is the oldest intact gaol in Australia, located just 20 minutes north-east of Hobart. Step inside a solitary confinement cell measuring just one by two metres, inspect
chain-gang sleeping rooms, the flogging yards, the cook house and holding rooms.

Thousands of female convicts transported to Tasmania ended up in the Cascades Female Factory  in Hobart. On Maria Island off Tasmania's east coast, Darlington Probation Station consists of buildings dating back as far as the 1820s. Sarah Island one of the harshest places to was be, was established in 1821. Convicts laboured under the harshest conditions in the rainforest felling Huon pines for boat building.

Other convict highlights around the state include Sarah Island in Macquarie Harbour, the convict built bridge in Richmond and the recently constructed memorial convict trail in Campbell Town.

As well as these, there are lots more convict sites across the state, including roads, bridges and buildings – in fact, a visit to just about any early town will reveal the hard labour and skilled craftsmanship of Tasmania's convicts.
Moving on from sad to beautiful, there are four historic houses to visit, all demonstrating the hard work, resulting in beautiful homes and gardens, of convicts assigned to private landowners. Two World Heritage Listed properties at Longford - Brickendon Colonial Farm Village 

Brickendon Estate

 and Woolmers Estates; 

Woolmers

Clarendon

Clarendon House at Nile, via Evandon; and 

early image of Entally

Entally Conservatory

Entally House, Hadspen. The Entally conservatory is quite beautiful. You can book accommodation at Brickendon, at either their Coachmans and Gardeners cottages, or the Farm Cottages. The former two were built by convict labour during the 1830's and have been restored to offer an authentic colonial experience within the beautiful gardens. 

The Farm cottages have been constructed with recycled materials and traditional building techniques, and have great views over the farm. From there. It’s just a short stroll to Brickendon's World Heritage listed convict built Farm Village and the river.

For a quick look at what Tasmania has to offer, go to Tasmania's Top Ten Places to Visit.


PS Stephen says Tasmania is on our list – whoopee!