Port Arthur, Tasmania, is a beautiful, terrible place. Its history as a penitentiary is dark, having been the destination for the ‘hardest’ of convicted British and Irish criminals between 1833 and 1853. The day we visited, the coast of Tasmania was struck with violent, gale force winds and the entire Port Arthur site was without power, throwing the visitor’s centre and rooms within the intact historic buildings into an eerie darkness.
The Grand Canyon walk in the World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains National Park, NSW, was first established in 1907. In my opinion, it is one of the best walks in Australia.
The abandoned Lincoln Oakbank Brewery is slowly being reclaimed by nature. Now a haven for climbing plants, birds and clusters of spiders, the skeleton of the original five-storey tower is as beautiful as it is sad. I know little of the history of the brewery or when it closed, though a single abandoned shoe appeared to suggest something sinister in the site’s more recent history.
The Ghost Town of Whroo, Victoria, is an abandoned attraction in an abandoned ghost town built at an abandoned gold mine.
After 10 days of exploring Tasmania we were reluctant to leave and determined to return soon - and for longer. Our trip found us trekking mountains and exploring caves, and we were fortunate to encounter a lot of wildlife, including kangaroos, wallabies, dolphins, a...
Egypt wanted a king. Tradition demanded it. So Hatshepsut gave them one – by donning the traditional false beard and robes of the pharaoh.
Munyunga Waraga Dhugan Trail, Booderee National Park, Jervis Bay, is a flat, easy 1.5 – 2.5 hour walk or 3.5 – 4.5 hour easy/medium walk (both routes are explained, below) with stunning cliff top views and access to the ruins of Cape St George Lightstation, built in 1860 and abandoned.
The ‘Mystery Tour of Porters Pass’ in the Blue Mountains is highly recommended for hikers interested in an excellent, medium level 2-4 hour circuit with sweeping views, waterfalls – and a touch of history, with the beautiful stone steps of Porters Pass, dating back to 1888.
April 23 is World Book and Copyright Day, a time to promote reading and the preservation of intellectual property, and a very good day to show your local book shop some extra love.