Convict Coal Mine ruins at Saltwater River The main Convict Precinct Excavated in 1833, the coal mines were used to punish the worst convicts, who worked here in extremely poor conditions. Developed to limit the colony’s dependence on costly imported coal from New South Wales, as well as serving as a place of punishment for the “worst class” of convicts from Port Arthur, the mine was operational for over 40 years. The main section of the site with the car-park upper left Coal Mine Walks There are ten walks in the area - each with its own specific interests, including: 1. Convict Precinct - a 30-minute return walk of 800 metres which covers the main buildings and ruins in the convict precinct. 2. Tramway and Beach Walk - a one km, 40-minute walk to inspect the area where the tramway ran down to the beach and where the coal was loaded. : "Along the shore you can see small lumps of red and black material. The red material is coal ...
Robin Cartledge's Tasmanian Travel Guide is a guide to travel, sightseeing and services that looks at what to do, Tasmania's freedom camping sites, a little history of Tasmanian cities and towns, photos, attractions, amenities, dump points and maps, as well as links to information on Tasmanian Quarantine, the Spirit of Tasmania and rules for Inland Fishing - plus much more.