The Tasman Peninsula

The Tasman Peninsula is an impressive bit of coastline with a rather dark human history to it. We sailed in pretty perfect conditions so could hug the soaring cliffs.

Rock stacks known as The Lanterns

The old landing stage on Tasman Island, once used to haul supplies up from boats and then, via a rope and pulley system, up the steep cliffs to the lighthouse keeper's cottage

The peninsula has a curious narrow neck of land about halfway up it - it's called Narrow Neck, rather prosaically - and in the 19th Century there used to be some very unfriendly dogs chained up across it to prevent convicts escaping to the main part of Tasmania. The penal colony of Port Arthur lies to the south of it and, between 1830 and 1876, housed thousands of prisoners who worked its flour mill, sawmills and boat-building yard.

The remains of Port Arthur, abandoned and damaged in bush fires at the end of the 1870's and now a World Heritage site and major tourist attraction 

The old mill and accommodation block in the evening light, after the tourists had departed 

The buildings in the 1860's 

We're now back in Hobart for the 4-day Wooden Boat Festival which attracts hundreds of beautiful boats from all around the world. Today was the opening Parade of Sail with over 100 boats, ranging from 3m dinghies to 100m tall ships, taking part. The Maunie Crew took part as well, having been invited aboard a stunningly restored 1953 ketch called Laurabada - whom we met, with her owners Ivan and Anne, a week or so ago. Oh, and we should mention that the Maunie Crew has a new member, Kerry from Sel Citron, who flew over from NZ yesterday. We all had a brilliant day and took a lot of photos of the fleet so we'll post some in the next couple of days.