Port Arthur Convict Station

What a fascinating place, which was as much about expansion of Empire as punishment and reform of  the worst of the worst of British society. Established initially as a timber camp in 1830, it’s a beautiful place to explore on a warm summer day. In contrast to bitterly cold winters and harsh mtreatment of around 11,000 criminals until the penal settlement finally closed in 1877. In a time of poverty and political upheaval in Europe, many men were broken but some left Port Arthur rehabilitated and skilled.

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