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The Port Arthur, Tasmania Ghost Tour
Rate it! Votes (1) | Comments (0) By Carol Ransom Posted August 6th, 2007

TASMANIA, AUSTRALIA -- Remember telling ghost stories as a kid? Getting under the blankets with a torch and trying to scare the pants off your friends. It was all harmless fun but did it make you wonder if there really were ghosts? Relive some of these childhood memories and take the family on outing with a difference:- an evening ghost tour at the Port Arthur Historic Site, in southern Tasmania.

Port Arthur is about an hour and 30 minutes drive from the state's capital, Hobart, and was a convict settlement from 1830 to 1877. The historic site itself has much to offer so aim to stay overnight in one of the many accommodation venues in the area as there is plenty to do during the day while waiting for darkness to descend.

Many of the building constructed during the penal days are still standing; a stark reminder of when convicts were sent out from England, usually as a result of petty crimes. There are guided tours available which take in all the ruins or you can walk around on you own. Each ruin has an information board that explains the history of the various buildings.

If you want to delve a little deeper into history, take a cruise out to the Isle of the Dead. This island gained its unfortunate name during the penal years of Port Arthur as it was where the most troublesome convicts were sent for solitary punishment. As the name suggests, some did not return. The cruise out to the island only takes about 15 minutes and departs from the Port Arthur site. If the budget allows, take the trip and don't be put off by the name, it's not a gruesome journey.

It's easy to fill in a whole day wandering around the ruins and it's a great place for a family picnic. The site is surrounded by bushland and has breathtaking waterviews, it's postcard beauty belies its dark origins. If you have any questions during your visit, there are friendly guides at all the ruins or call into the visitors' centre where there is loads of information about Port Arthur. There is also a on-site cafe if you get the munchies.

But before you leave, at the end of a day's exploring, make sure you find out the times of the evening ghost tour, its an experience not to miss. Experienced guides conduct the walking tours which take in most buildings around the historic site. There are numerous stops along the way where stories about real (or imagined) ghostly sightings are told. The stories themselves are fascinating and whether you believe in ghosts or not is unimportant, as the ruins are spectacular at night, bathed in moonlight. As you move from place to place, the guides do have little tricks to get the imagination working overtime.

The tour is a novel way of learning more about this unique piece of Tasmanian history and is suitable for most age groups as it's more entertaining than scary. Most parents will find that they are more susceptible to the tales than the kids. The tours operate most nights but check at the visitors' centre for times and remember to wear warm clothing.

Sadly Port Arthur's dark history did not end with the abolition of convict rule; four years ago there was a tragic mass shooting at the site. Residents and staff are trying hard to overcome this event and visitors should take the time to visit one of the memorials before leaving.

Carol Ransom is a freelance journalist based in Launceston, Tasmania. She has worked extensively in the print media and also radio broadcasting. She enjoys writing and the great outdoors. Carol regularly writes for BoxPlanet.com.au, Australia's leading family website. Find out more about traveling in Tasmania and Australia by visiting Box Planet.

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