Isolated from the rest of Australia for 10,000 years, Tasmania is a unique and beautiful island to explore. Its rich history takes visitors on a wild trip, covering prehistoric rock formations, untamed wilderness, ancient Aboriginal sites, European settlement and a bloody convict period – before arriving at today.

Around every corner there is something to see and its greatest drawcard is the variety of treasures to be discovered. Historic streetscapes, 19th century buildings and the remains of convict settlements stand alongside a pristine natural wonderland, bringing visitors back year after year.

Convict past

Today, more than 200 years after the second shipment of convicts arrived at Sullivans Cove in Hobart, the legacy of Tasmania’s convict past remains.

The site at Port Arthur – a familiar place name to most Australians – is, in fact, the largest and best example of the horrific life that convicts faced once they had been deported to the dreaded Van Dieman’s Land.

Built in 1830 to house the recidivist criminals, it is set on Mason’s Cove against a serene backdrop of tree-covered mountains. But the tranquil scene that greets visitors today is in stark contrast to the bloody and violent days endured by prisoners all those years ago.

Under the rule of Lt Governor Sir George Arthur, prisoners lived in fear of the lash and solitary confinement, which drove many mad. Escape was rare, as the penal colony was conveniently isolated by a narrow isthmus at Eaglehawk Neck, which was guarded by vicious, starving dogs tied up on the infamous Dog Chain.

In fact, one in seven convicts died at the site, and many are buried in the cemetery on the eerie Isle of the Dead. A boat tour around the cove, especially spooky at dusk, takes you past the island and, with the help of the informative guide, the plight of those buried there has a profound impact on visitors.

It is also not difficult to imagine the conditions the convicts lived under as you wander through the beautiful grounds and poke among the crumbling ruins. As you stand in front of the flogging wall, you can almost hear the cries of anguish as another poor soul faced punishment for breaking the harsh rules.

In South Hobart, just 10 minutes from the CBD, the Cascades Female Factory is another example of Tasmania’s convict heritage. A euphemistic name for an overcrowded women’s prison that operated in the 1800s, the factory was essentially a workhouse. While little remains of the building, the heartbreaking stories you hear on the guided tour bring the site to life.

The Ross Female Factory, located about half way between Hobart and Launceston, is a similarly eerie experience and, although little remains above ground, it is the most archaeologically intact female convict site in Australia. Much smaller than the other factories, it operated more as a holding pen for convicts who were awaiting assignment as a maid or cook. The superintendent’s cottage still stands and a walk through the grounds takes you back in time.