The Tasman Peninsula

History

The first sighting of the area by Europeans was in 1642 when the crew from Abel Tasman's historic voyage went ashore near Cape Frederick Henry on the Forestier Peninsula. In 1772, Marion Dufresne's crew also stepped ashore. Flinders in 1798 and Peron in 1802 both noted the spectacular dolerite columns of the Tasman Peninsula.

Initially there was little onshore development of the peninsulas, aside from bay whaling stations. When the government established the major penal settlement at Port Arthur, the entire peninsula was closed to all non-penal related activities, which saw the end of whaling and private timber milling in the area.

By 1833 Port Arthur had been established as a secondary penal settlement and sawing establishment, housing some 475 prisoners (and nearly double that number 2 years later). In 1840 transportation to New South Wales ceased and the assignment system of convict labour was abolished in Van Diemen's Land. In its place a probation system was established which brought a proliferation of Mines, Saltwater River, Wedge Bay, Impression Bay (now Premaydena) and Point Puer. All convict-related sites had ceased operating by 1877, with Port Arthur penal settlement being the last to close its doors. The peninsulas returned to free settlement.

By the turn of the twentieth century, Port Arthur had reopened, this time to curious tourists, providing them with accommodation and tours of the historic site – an industry that is at its strongest today.

Attractions

On top of the Tasman Peninsula's natural attractions shown on Tasman Island Cruises eco-cruise and at the Tasman Peninsula National Park, it also is a home to a number of other attractions. The most famous attraction of the Tasman Peninsula is the Port Arthur Historic Site. You can comfortably fill a day on the Tasman Peninsula with a Tasman Island Cruises 3 hour cruise and a visit to the Port Arthur Historic Site.

Another interesting attraction on the Tasman Peninsula is the Tasmanian Devil Conservation Park, dedicated to conserving wildlife and entertaining visitors since 1978.

There are also a number of choices for coffee or a meal such as:

• Eaglehawk Neck Cafe & Guesthouse
• Eucalypt Café - Coffee Art Food - 6962 Arthur Highway, Port Arthur (directly opposite the Tasman Island Cruises booking office). Phone (03) 6250 2555.
• Lemo's Seafood & Road Restaurant - 6555 Arthur Highway, Port Arthur. Phone (03) 6250 3403.
• Taylors Restaurant - at Stewarts Bay Lodge, walking distance from the Tasman Island Cruises booking office at Port Arthur.
• The Mussel Boys