Sunday Feb 14, 2010 – Port Arthur Day Trip
Charles was going to make pancakes for breakfast. At the last minute, he realized we did not have any syrup. Cereal it is then. We got an early start on the day trip to Port Arthur. There were lots of rock formations to see at Eaglehawk Neck. Our first stop was a lookout over the neck. Eaglehawk Neck is the second of the narrowings along the peninsula. It was like many sandstone coastline we had already seen.
We stopped at the Tessellated Pavement. It looks like it was laid by bricklayers. However, it is all done by the sea. Either there are pans or loaves. Pans are caused by the salt water eroding out the center of the rocks leaving the edges higher than the middle. The loaves are eroded in the opposite way with the edges eroding and not the middle. We were able to walk on the rocks. It was like a paved patio.
After going through the neck, we took a side trip to the next formations. First we saw the blowhole. Here the sea has just started the wearing away of the softer rock. The cave ceiling and archway have not collapsed. When the tide is rising, the water rushes through the blowhole making lots of noise and mist. The cave further in land is being worn away. When we walked over to another section of walkway we saw that you can see right through to the Tasman Sea through an opening. It is thought that in the future, this area will form 2 or 3 islands as the softer rock is eroded.
Next came the Tasman Arch. Here most of the cave ceilings have fallen but not all, leaving this beautiful arch joining two cliffs. Again this is all caused by wave action. The last formation was the Devil`s Kitchen. Here all the ceilings have fallen, leaving a deep chasm. The waves roar in hundreds of feet below. It was so interesting to see these formations in this order, newest to the oldest. You can see what the future will unfold as the wave action continues.
Soon we were back on the main road to Port Arthur. We got there in time for lunch. That is when Charles realized all that he had forgotten to pack in the small cooler pack. No tomato, no onion, and no margarine. Just meat and water in the cooler. We had some bland sandwiches and a good laugh. Hopefully we will do better on Tuesday's day trip.
Port Arthur is a historical penal colony site. It was established in 1830 and closed in 1877. After it was closed many of the buildings were torn down or gutted by fire. Some of the buildings became hotels, guest houses and museums. By 1840`s there was over 2000 convicts, soldiers, and civil staff. It had become a major industrial settlement producing ships and shoes, clothing and bells, furniture and word stone, brooms and bricks. It was a penal colony that tied to better the convict through education and work skills. Some of the convicts did make a new life for themselves but many were just repeat offenders.
We ended up spending 3+ hours at the site. The conservation authority is doing its best to preserve what is left. Many of the brick walls are being supported by steal braces until repairs can be made. A couple of building did survive and are being renovated so people can see what it was like in the past. It was a very fascinating experience. When you pay, you get a playing card each. When you entered you matched your card to find out about a convict. Then you followed your convict through their day. It was lots of fun.
The weather was perfect for the day. It was nice and sunny where we were. It had been raining off and on over our trip to Port Arthur. When we returned, it was overcast in Hobart. We stopped to pick up food in a town call Sorell. One thing we found there was kangaroo steaks. We decided to have them for supper. Kangaroo meat is delicious. We did pick up syrup.
Wonderful day all round.
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