April 1, 2024 – Chris & Merelyn's Travels

While staying next to the Dunalley Pub ,which is more or less the gateway to the Port Arthur region….

We were able to venture out each day and explore some of the South. Whilst catching up with fellow travellers each evening, and chat about what and where we found interesting.

The walks around eaglehawk neck and the Tessellated pavement were spectacular

I think this blowhole has had its use by day, nothing happening here. But a nice little Bay for the boats.

The Historical sites around Port Arthur, are well worth wandering around. There are memorials to the convicts, remains of settlements ,some restored enough so you can walk through, other bits are just how they were in the 1800S.

This area was a coal mining settlement, built and worked by the convicts.

I choose not to think of the bloodshed and cruelty that went on here, but marvel of the craftsmanship and the ability to build these anonymous settlements with their bare hands and ankles in chains.

The convicts cells were cold , dark and small with no windows. Those in charge had prime views from their quarters, higher on the cliffs.

There’s so much history around Port Arthur, then I come across a little clump of life in the form of white lace fungi, ahhh nice.

An open coal shaft, and old boiler from more recent years.

On a lighter note, and a beautiful day out we went into Richmond. We walked around town , so many old buildings, beautiful parks and leafy green streets

This is the pick of our towns so far I think. And yes it has an ice creamery, a must have!

Apart from its beautiful buildings.,it also has the oldest bridge in Australia, still in use , built in 1823 by the convicts

That night we went on a Ghost tour of Port Arthur. I thought it would be out of my comfort zone, but I guess I’m too much of a sceptic. It a beautiful warm , full moon night and I just enjoyed taking photos. Our guide was a fun bloke and a great story teller.