Port Arthur and the Tasman Peninsula

The Tasman Peninsula is home to one of Tasmania and Australia's most significant world heritage sites as well as some stunning coast line and great walking.

The Tasman Peninsula is an hours drive South East of Hobart with the entrance to the peninsula consisting a narrow passage at the small town of Dunalley. 

There are a number of small towns to explore on the Tasman Peninsula including Dunalley, Nubeena, Taranna and the oddly named Doo Town. It's worth going for a drive just to check out the unique local shacks (holiday homes) that can be found in and around these various towns. If you get a chance make sure to get some fish n chips while you are down here as the sea food is caught locally and some of the best in Australia.

There is always plenty to do on the Tasman Peninsula such as exploring Port Arthur, walking at Fortescue Bay and Cape Hauy as well as the Devil Conservation Park.

A brief History of the Tasman Peninsula

The Tasman Peninsula is named after Abel Tasman who first discovered this stretch of coastline in 1642. The area was first settled by western colonists with the establishment of the Port Arthur penal colony in the 1830s. The area was perfect for a penal settlement due to it's isolation and natural defences against escaping.

After the penal settlement the area developed a thriving industry around agriculture and forestry with plenty of sheltered bays becoming bases of operation for whalers and seal hunters operating in the Southern Ocean.