Port Arthur, Tas
Heritage tourism in Australia too often is of the fancydress and theme-park variety. In stark (and welcome) contrast, the operation of the former penal settlement of Port Arthur has been characterised by its respect and restraint. Management at this nationally significant site, which receives more than 200,000 tourists annually, has resisted the temptation to sensationalise, trivialise or hide what has been a very dark past, and a troubled present. The focus has been on conservation, education and research, resulting in a rich educational program and diverse activities designed to leave a lasting impression. Historical walking tours, included with the price of entry, give every visitor a vivid understanding of Port Arthur’s importance in the national psyche, while cruise tours to the former Point Puer Boys’ Prison or the richly storied Isle of the Dead add depth to the experience. The site’s natural beauty is a bonus: the curated gardens provide an unexpectedly picturesque setting for a prison.
Port Arthur Historic Site, (03) 6251 2300, www.portarthur.org.au.

PHOTOGRAPH TASMANIA TOURISM