Another TRIP IN AUSTRALIA -Tasmania July/ August 2025 Part 5b

[moon puppy]

Wow, being in a prison way down there like, where you going to escape to? Seems odd to me everyone bundled up like this but you are in the high S latitudes.

 

[Brokeneagle]

Wow, being in a prison way down there like, where you going to escape to? Seems odd to me everyone bundled up like this but you are in the high S latitudes.

The location was why it was chosen.
It was isolated, alone, surrounded by coastlines with steep cliffs and the only way to it from Hobart was via Eaglehawk neck...a super thin causway barracaded by police with vicious hunting dogs. And to top that it was on Tasmania (an island at the bottom of the world) nearly 200 years ago. The prisoners were not allowed to speak, at all!

 

[Brokeneagle]

Part 5b - Way down south - Hobart and going west.....into the wilderness.

The next part was on to the beautiful historic city of Hobart and then out to the wilderness of the west to ancient forests at Tahune.

We went on a few walking trails through the forest once we got to Tahune.

The highlight was the skywalk that takes you around the area about 30 -60 ft above, depending on the terrain below. The last section has a counterweight platform that goes right out over the river - my wife freaked -out a bit as she hates moving platforms and heights.

On the way back we diverted up to the top of Mt Wellington (above Hobart) - it was really windy and friggin cold! We put on our heaviest jackets and zipped up but the wind was strong enough to lean into and nearly unbearable

The top section of the road to the summit was really skinny and only about 1.5 cars wide. The drop was straight down from the edge.and every time a car came the other way there was an akward dance until we reached one of the small wider sections.

 

[moon puppy]

Wow, great photos Ian. That scene of the rocks makes me think some orcs would be popping up running after some little fellas.

 

[Brokeneagle]

Wow, great photos Ian. That scene of the rocks makes me think some orcs would be popping up running after some little fellas.

thanks, yeah the mountain top was very much a 'LOTR' setting.

 

[Tim A.]

Part 5a - Way down south - getting closer to Antartica.
..... next we left Lewisham and ventured to Opossum Bay and then back up and around to the historic Port Arthur convict prison.
We went on a night Ghost Tour of the old prison and grounds (which was a lot of fun)that night and then headed back around the penninsula and back to stay in Hobart for a few days. This area spans a bit so this will be 2 parts.
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This view was just before coming down to cross the 'neck' to Port Arthur etc. There was a local guy with a coffee van and an open fire (in a drum)with stools on the road off to the left and we sat and drank coffee here admiring the view and staying warm.
The ghost tour was that night once we arrived at the hotel near the old prison.View attachment 186416
Next day we toured the penninsula seeing majestic cliffs, places were the convicts hid from the police [in steep sided coves and gorges] where they mostly died, or were found and went back to Port Authur after which their treatment worsened for escaping. From here we slowly made our way back towards Hobart for the night.
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I know that rock has not budged for a million years but if I built my home on it I still wouldn't sleep easy.