Port Arthur

It was not my first visit to the historic site nor do I expect it to be my last. I first visited the site when in was in the eighth grade with my family, and again a few years later (again, on holiday with family). It has always been a point of exploration prior to moving down here, yet upon becoming a Tasmania, I had never had the pleasure of revisiting. Thanks to the pandemic (words I never thought I’d say), not only did I get to revisit one of my favourite places here, but I was given the opportunity to explore without a throng of tourists.

Please don’t get me wrong; tourism helps our beautiful state thrive. It ensures the site can remain open, supports employment and fosters the curiosity about our nation’s convict roots. I highly encourage people to visit if they have the means and opportunity to do so.

But on this occasion, I must admit not being pushed around and exploring in peace was a nice change. It gave me the ability to view the buildings in a fresh light, to really think about the lives of those forced to live in the colony without worrying that I stood in someone’s way—to take pictures without strangers picking wedgies in the background. It was a special feeling, knowing I could take my time appreciating the struggles and experiences of the convicts and their keepers. That I could explore with the intention of respecting the space and all those who suffered in its sandstone walls.