Port Arthur

We had a wonderful couple of days at Port Arthur. We really only intended to go for one day, and we walked the entire site during that day! But we missed a couple of houses that Lexie was really keen to see, and Angus really wanted to go up the guard watch tower so we decided on a whim to go back the next day. How wonderful that all tickets are valid for 2 days!

We had purchased the ‘Silver Pass’ pack, which included 2 guided tours and an iPod for interactive guidance as well. We’ve decided that the tour guides are worth their weight in gold as far as travelling with children is concerned. Both kids always listen avidly and often end up spouting stuff they’ve heard for days afterwards. I thought the iPods would be great for them, but to be honest, at both MONA and Port Arthur, they’ve not really used them much at all. It’s been ME listening to them or reading them and then telling the kids about it while their iPods hang abandoned around their necks. LOL. Actually Lexie has enjoyed them. Angus, not so much.

I found Port Arthur really interesting this time around. Duncan and I had been here 16 years ago on our honeymoon, and that was right after the memorial had been erected to those killed and injured in the awful shootings. It was an overwhelming feeling last time. This time we left the memorial visit until the end of the first day and it was quite separate and removed (emotionally). We told the children what had happened and were able to relate it to them through the Alannah and Madeline Foundation, which provided the new “Buddy Bench” and the Buddy Program at their school.

This time we were able to explore the site and put it in context with our previous tour of Sarah Island in the west. It wasn’t as brutal as I recalled, especially when compared to the horrendous conditions over there. The Separate Prison was quite psychologically brutal though – no surprise that the asylum was next door!

When we returned the next day, we were fortunate enough to spot an echidna wandering the site. It was quite comfortable around us and happily walked right up to Dunc’s foot as we were all standing so quietly still. We were there so early that there was no one to share it with, though we did spot a young family towards the end.