We had a meet-up of the family in Hobart for Di's birthday in November.
On the Friday we all took a lunchtime cruise around the beautiful harbour
Hobart, TAS - The cruise boat was built in the 1950's as a work boat.
Hobart, TAS - just a perfect day for a gentle cruise.
Hobart, TAS - looks like everyone is hungary and ready for lunch - whoch was rather good actually.
Hobart, TAS - Wrest Point Casino, the first casino in Australia. I stayed there several times while at various conferences.
Hobart, TAS - back in the 1970's, a ship got out of control and hit the bridge with the deaths of several people. To the right of the centre span, one pylon is missing and the bridge there was strengthened.
Then it was a walk over to the Maritime Museum for a look around
Hobart, TAS - lovely sail training ship at the wharf.
Hobart, TAS - the Maritime Museum was nicely put together.
Hobart, TAS - the raised stem of an old sunken boat. (Maritime Museum)
Hobart, TAS - the Maritime Museum had a nice display showing the history of whaling in the area.
Saturday was a trip around to Port Arthur, the first convict centre in Tasmania. The scenery of the area is absolutely beautiful and seems at odds with the treatment of prisoners that took place there.
Port Arthur, TAS - the new visitor centre. None of that the previous times we have been there.
Port Arthur, TAS - beautiful site.
Port Arthur, TAS - time for a short cruise to the Island of the Dead.
Port Arthur, TAS - Point Puer was the site of the first government run boys home. Totally isolated from everything.
Port Arthur, TAS - tours of the Island of the Dead are available. Non prisoners were buried on the higher ground, while prisoners were buried lower down, without any grave marking.
Port Arthur, TAS - it was going to become a hotel before it was burned down.
Port Arthur, TAS - the Jail (for the secondary offenders) was not a great place to be. It was designed to "break" prisoners, who would then go to the insane asylum next door, where they were treated much better, and once 'cured" would be returned to the jail.
Port Arthur, TAS - the steps in the Jail were well worn.
Port Arthur, TAS - such a beautiful site for a horrible prison.
Port Arthur, TAS - the Commandant's house was somewhat more grand.
Port Arthur, TAS - the Commandant's house was rather well fitted.