We made a move further down the coast to Triabunna, a small fishing village some 80 Ks from Coles Bay.
We took advice from a couple at Coles Bay and gave the Triabunna Caravan and Cabin Park a miss in favour of the East Coast resort just 4 klm out of town and on the way to Orford.
The resort is surrounded by what looks like a defunct golf coarse development, while the resort buildings are a little tired themselves
The big attraction to the area is Maria Island (pronounced MAR-RAY-UH) located about 12klm off Tribunna.
Maria Island was a prison in the times of convicts being sent to Australia from England. Unlike Port Arthur the penitentiary doest seem to have had as violent and cruel past although I'm sure life was very though.
We traveled to the Island via ferry leaving Triabunna, its about a half hour trip.
We took a small tent for a night camp, our mountain bikes and all provisions, as there is no store or supplies on the island. We only found out on arrival that you can hire bikes at $15.00 while bringing a bike on the ferry is $10. So if you plan more than a days riding its worth the effort to take a bike. The ferry cost $50.00 round trip for and adult.
We had arranged for a second night, via Parks and Wildlife to sleep in one of the penitentiary cells.
The Island is beautiful and on first arrival I thought how lucky its inmates must have been, but this view changed quickly as I registered the total isolation.
Its a bush walkers paradise even if a little chillily.
We set up camp and despite wanting to look around we both slept for a couple of hours, a combination of lack of sleep the previous night and sea air.
The wild life was fearless even in some cases indignant at our being there. Wallabies, small kangaroos and wombats were in great numbers as were the attractive Cape Barren geese and noisy Bush hens. We were raided by possums during the night. They just looked up at us when we opened the tent and in a Bart Simpson voice said "We did'nt do it!" (pictures prove otherwise)
Maria Island was a prison in the times of convicts being sent to Australia from England. Unlike Port Arthur the penitentiary doest seem to have had as violent and cruel past although I'm sure life was very though.
We traveled to the Island via ferry leaving Triabunna, its about a half hour trip.
We took a small tent for a night camp, our mountain bikes and all provisions, as there is no store or supplies on the island. We only found out on arrival that you can hire bikes at $15.00 while bringing a bike on the ferry is $10. So if you plan more than a days riding its worth the effort to take a bike. The ferry cost $50.00 round trip for and adult.
We had arranged for a second night, via Parks and Wildlife to sleep in one of the penitentiary cells.
The Island is beautiful and on first arrival I thought how lucky its inmates must have been, but this view changed quickly as I registered the total isolation.
Its a bush walkers paradise even if a little chillily.
We set up camp and despite wanting to look around we both slept for a couple of hours, a combination of lack of sleep the previous night and sea air.
The wild life was fearless even in some cases indignant at our being there. Wallabies, small kangaroos and wombats were in great numbers as were the attractive Cape Barren geese and noisy Bush hens. We were raided by possums during the night. They just looked up at us when we opened the tent and in a Bart Simpson voice said "We did'nt do it!" (pictures prove otherwise)
Its was a rough night.
Harrison had warned me that the sleeping matt was no good and I had bought him an air bed (weighs a ton in the pack). I should have taken his advice about the matt. The ground was rock hard from drought, so of course it rained all night.
The next morning was glorious, a warm sun dried our tent and got us invigorated for the day.
In the morning we explored the "Darlington" village, built around the penitentiary. Many of the outer building were ruins but the main inner town, part of the penitentiary and support building still remain.
A lavish building called the Coffee Palace
The next morning was glorious, a warm sun dried our tent and got us invigorated for the day.
In the morning we explored the "Darlington" village, built around the penitentiary. Many of the outer building were ruins but the main inner town, part of the penitentiary and support building still remain.
A lavish building called the Coffee Palace
has been beautifully restored and included an audio of life on the Island in the early to mid 1900s. There are some wonderful pieces of furniture, books, photographs and other memorabilia.During the 1900's till the 60's the Island was inhabited by a varied group of families, entrepreneur's and the elderly refusing to leave their much loved Island.
In the afternoon we walked to Fossil Beach. One of the easy walks. Neither of us is fit enough yet to master anything but the easy walking.
That evening we spent in the prison cell, more like a bunk house, altered to be a little more comfortable for us tourists. Contained in one room were 3 bunks (sleeping six) a table and fixed bench stools, and wood heater. There was no running water and lighting was by candle if you did'nt bring your own lamp.
Reading the various notes around the penitentiary this room would once have held 33 men!...... Very tough.
Sitting on the veranda, watching night fall it was easy to think back to those times how tough it must have been for those doomed to this place so far from home.
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