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Category: History

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Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery

Spotted-Tail Quol, Eastern Quol (dark) Eastern Quol (light), Tasmanian Devil

Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery

Established in 1848 and conveniently located opposite Constitution Dock, in the centre of Hobart, the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery is a great place to discover Tasmania’s unique history. Covering natural history, aboriginal and European settlement to Antarctic exploration, there is something here to interest everyone. There is even a dinosaur at the entrance.

Muttaburrasaurus Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery
Muttaburrasaurus Dinosaur Skeleton

Indigenous Culture

Several galleries explore Indigenous Tasmanian Aboriginal culture, from artefacts to artworks. Their treatment and subsequent genocide is treated in detail. Everyone visiting Tasmania should see it, so that they understand this part of history.

  • Canoe
    Aboriginal Bark Canoe
  • Woureddy (left) and Trucannini (right)
    Woureddy (left) and Trucannini (right)
  • Manalagerna (left) and Tanleboueyer (right) Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery
    Manalagerna (left) and Tanleboueyer (right)

Tasmanian Wildlife

Most people won’t be able to see the unique Australian wildlife, so the display here is a great place to see what they look like. From echidna and platypus, the egg laying monotremes, to quolls and devils, you can see them all.

Importantly, a display of the Thylacine, the Tasmanian Tiger shows what this now extinct marsupial looked like. The last one died in 1933 in Hobart Zoo, so now all that remains are the skeletons, stuffed displays and photos.

  • Echidna and Platypus
    Echidna and Platypus
  • Spotted-Tail Quol, Eastern Quol (dark) Eastern Quol (light), Tasmanian Devil
    Spotted-Tail Quol, Eastern Quol (dark) Eastern Quol (light), Tasmanian Devil
  • Tasmanian Tiger Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery
    Tasmanian Tiger
  • Tasmanian Tiger Skeletons Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery
    Male and Female Tasmanian Tiger Skeletons
  • Tasmanian Tiger Photos
    Tasmanian Tiger Photos

Coins at the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery

Containing bank notes and coins from colonial times to decimal currency, this small gallery is a good place to learn about Australian currency. One of the largest collections of Roman coins in the country can also be found here. So, if you are interested in how the currency has changed, it’s worth a visit.

  • Coin Display
    Coin Display
  • Coin Display
    Coin Display
  • Scales
    Scales

Art Gallery

The art gallery section of the museum contains an interesting collection of paintings and sculptures covering Tasmanian themes. We found the paintings and sculptures of Tasmanian aborigines the best part, as we had not seen them before.

  • Art Gallery Paintings Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery
    Art Gallery Paintings
  • Art Gallery Displays
    Art Gallery Displays

Antarctic Exploration

Tasmania’s link to Antarctic exploration is on display with an amazing array of wildlife and explorer exhibits. A model of Mawson’s Hut shows how the explorers lived in the early 1900s. A photo gallery nearby puts a human face to the scientists and explorers, which is great because many museums only show physical displays.

The wildlife displays give an idea of the abundant wildlife that exists there. We found this interesting, because we probably won’t travel there. The size of the seals and albatross was surprizing, because you don’t get an idea of how big they are from photos.

  • Antarctic Wildlife Display Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery
    Antarctic Wildlife Display
  • Albatross
    Albatross
  • Huskies
    Huskies
  • Mawson's Hut
    Mawson’s Hut
  • Antarctic Exploration Photos
    Antarctic Exploration Photos

What Did We Think?

For a great insight into Tasmanian history this is a great place to visit, because it covers everything from pre colonial times, to Antarctic exploration and wildlife. Even though we have lived in Tassie, we found it interesting because of the wonderful exhibits and displays. Highly recommended to anyone visiting Hobart.

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Maritime Museum of Tasmania

Antarctic Exploration Vessel Nella Dan Maritime Museum of Tasmania

Maritime Museum of Tasmania

If you have an interest in maritime history, then the Maritime Museum of Tasmania is a great place to spend an hour. Located next to the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery and opposite Constitution dock it is easy to get to.

During our visit, the second floor was undergoing renovations, which meant we missed some displays. The remaining area was still interesting as it covered Tasmania’s maritime history.

One of the more interesting displays was a model of the Tasman Bridge disaster. This occurred on 5 January 1975 when a bulk ore carrier collided with bridge pylons, causing a section of the bridge to collapse. Seven crew and five drivers from four cars were killed when they drove off the bridge and fell 45m to the water below. The model shows the SS Lake Illawarra lying on the river bottom with bridge debris covering her.

Tasmania’s contribution to Antarctic exploration has been significant, due to its proximity. A model of the exploration ship Nella Dan commemorates these achievements.

Other displays included interesting figureheads and boats, along with more models ships and photos.

  • Knots Display
  • Main Display Room Ground Floor
    Main Display Room Ground Floor
  • Figure Heads Maritime Museum of Tasmania
    Figure Heads (Zephyr left and Mary Wadley right)
  • Diving Suit
    Diving Suit
  • Tasman Bridge Disaster
    Tasman Bridge Disaster
  • Tasman Bridge Disaster
    Tasman Bridge Disaster
  • Antarctic Exploration Vessel Nella Dan Maritime Museum of Tasmania
    Antarctic Exploration Vessel Nella Dan
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Port Arthur Historic Site Tasmania

Guard Tower

Port Arthur Historic Site

The World Heritage listed Port Arthur Historic Site contains over 30 buildings and extensive ruins. The listing reflects its importance to the story of forced migration and settlement of Australia. Primarily a penal settlement, Port Arthur also encompassed a wider community including military and civilian officers and their families. The preserved buildings and ruins tell the story of life in the early years of colonisation.

How To Get There and Parking

Located on the Tasman Peninsula, a 90-minute drive from Hobart, Port Arthur is an easy day trip. However, we chose to stay on the peninsula to see other attractions.

Several carparks at the end of the access road cater for cars and camper vans. During peak times additional room is available once the main ones are full, although there will be a slightly longer walk to the entrance.

Entry is by ticket only, but this includes a guided tour and boat trip. These are not compulsory, and you are able to walk at your own pace to explore the site if you want.

During our visit in June 2021 ticket cost was $40 per adult.

Port Arthur Historic Site

The Penitentiary

Originally built as a flour mill in 1845, insufficient water led to its conversion to a penitentiary in 1857. The current state of the building was caused by a bushfire which only left the masonry walls and barred windows.

Undertaken from 2012 to 2018, a conservation project has stabilised the building, while adding internal flooring and supports. There are Information boards detailing the operation of the building.

As you can see from the photos, it was a wet and rainy day, which added to the atmosphere of the site and its gloomy past.

  • The Penitentiary Port Arthur Historic Site
    The Penitentiary
  • Inside The Penitentiary Port Arthur Historic Site
    Inside The Penitentiary
  • Inside The Penitentiary
    Inside The Penitentiary
  • Looking Out of The Penitentiary
    Looking Out of The Penitentiary
  • Remains of The Penitentiary Port Arthur Historic Site
    Remains of The Penitentiary

Guard Tower

The guard tower gives a great view over the rest of the site, particularly the law courts located next door. Looking like a European castle, the guard tower stands above the penitentiary which gave the guards a great view.

Guard Tower Port Arthur Historic Site
Guard Tower

The Law Courts

Any convicts breaking the regulations governing the settlement were sentenced at the law courts. The façade is interesting with its windows and arches, despite its damaged interior.

  • Remains of the Low Courts
    Remains of the Law Courts
  • Remains of the Low Courts Port Arthur Historic Site
    Remains of the Law Courts

The Asylum

Built for the mental health care of convicts in the early 1860s, this building was later used as the town hall. Today it contains a display of artefacts found on site as well as prisoner uniforms.

  • The Asylum - Later the Town Hall
    The Asylum – Later the Town Hall
  • Prisoner's Uniform on Display Inside The Asylum
    Prisoner’s Uniform on Display Inside The Asylum
  • Display Inside The Asylum
    Display Inside The Asylum

The Church Port Arthur Historic Site

With only the walls and tower intact, the church, which was built in 1837 is a reminder of the importance of religion in convict reform. Up to 1100 people would attend services here on Sundays. To allow multi-denominational services, the church was never consecrated.

  • Ruins of the Church
    Ruins of the Church
  • Ruins of the Church
    Inside the Ruins of the Church
  • Ruins of the Church Port Arthur Historic Site
    Ruins of the Church

What Did We Think?

We enjoyed our visit here, with the unpredictable Tasmanian weather adding to the atmosphere. Although we did not take the boat tour, our walk through the ruins was great, so don’t be put off by the weather. As one of Australia’s premier European historical sites it’s a must visit for anyone going to Tasmania.

To read other posts about Tasmania, click here.

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