Historic Penitentiary, Port Arthur by Michael John
Michael John

Historic Penitentiary, Port Arthur by

Port Arthur is a former convict settlement on the Tasman Peninsula, in Tasmania, Australia.

It is one of Australia’s most significant heritage areas and the open air museum is officially Tasmania’s top tourist attraction.

Now an imposing ruin, the Penitentiary was constructed in 1843 as a flour mill and granary. In 1857 it was converted into a penitentiary, capable of housing over 480 convicts in dormitory accommodation and separate apartments.

Flanked by the Watchmen’s Quarters, the Penitentiary also contained a mess room, library, Catholic chapel, workshops and ablutions complex.

The building was gutted by fire in 1897 and lay derelict until a concerted conservation program began in the 1960s.

This site is listed on the National Heritage list.

Mamiya ZM film camera.

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About Michael John

I live in Australia and enjoy bushwalking in the great outdoors, especially the world heritage listed Blue Mountains National Park.

My photographic interests are pretty much related to Australian landscapes, rustic Australia, historic Australia, Australian wildlife, flora, fauna, birds, etc. Guess I love the country I was born and live in.

Feel free to click on my portfolio, view more images, and leave a comment. You can also purchase a card, print, or calendar.

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Tags

australia, buildings, flour mill, historic, jail, gaol, penitentiary, port arthur, tasmania, landscape, waterscape, hobart, convict

Comments

  • Derwent-01
    Derwent-01almost 2 years ago

    Nice shot!
    It’s a lovely place to spend a day wandering around…so much history!

  • Thanks for your comments. It is a great place to get in touch with our history.

    – Michael John

  • Slideshooter
    Slideshooteralmost 2 years ago

    Great to have another Mamiya user on board. What model do you have?
    Cheers
    Brett

  • Hi Brett. Thanks for that. It is a Mamiya ZM.

    – Michael John

  • Julienne  Bowser
    Julienne Bowseralmost 2 years ago

    Lovely work Michael :)

  • Thanks Julie.

    – Michael John

  • John Vriesekolk
    John Vriesekolkalmost 2 years ago

    Spent a day there Michael was great to catch up with the countries history. Nice shot mate.

  • Thanks for your comments John.

    – Michael John

  • Audrey Clarke
    Audrey Clarkealmost 2 years ago

  • Thanks Audrey.

    – Michael John

  • Trish Meyer
    Trish Meyeralmost 2 years ago

    Nice perspective on the old remnants Michael!
    In more recent times, Port Arthur was the scene of world wide attention in 1996, when 35 people were murdered and 21 others injured in an indiscriminate shooting spree. The perpetrator of this massacre is currently serving 35 life sentences plus 1,035 years without parole in the psychiatric wing of Risdon Prison in Hobart. His rampage ranks among the deadliest of the 20th century.

  • Thanks Trish.

    – Michael John

  • Michael Matthews
    Michael Matthewsalmost 2 years ago

    Nice shot Mike. I visited this spot 40 years ago, obviously without a camera. Would love to go back now.

  • Thanks Michael. I am sure it hasn’t changed much since then.

    – Michael John

  • sarnia2
    sarnia2over 1 year ago

  • Thanks.

    – Michael John

  • Deborah Lazarus
    Deborah Lazarusover 1 year ago

  • Thanks Deborah.

    – Michael John

  • Deborah Lazarus
    Deborah Lazarusover 1 year ago

  • Thanks heaps for the feature Deborah! That is great.

    – Michael John