Convict
Coal Mine ruins at Saltwater River
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| 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.
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| 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 slack, burnt by fires that smouldered for many years after the Mines were closed. The black material is coal that fell into the water during loading at the jetties. There were four main jetties. Two were near the Settlement, a third serviced the inclined plane, and the fourth serviced the Commissariat Store."3. Plunkett Point - a 2 km return walk taking around one hour on a gravel road to Plunkett Point.
The Commissariat Store was built here in 1842. It could contain provisions for 2,000 men.4. Inclined Plane - a 3 km return walk taking around 105 minutes and reaching the clifftops at Plunkett Point, north of the convict precinct. This took the coal from the shaft to the jetty.
There is a contemporary description of the process: "a windlass arrangement for hoisting the coal, a full box going up and empty one going down. A platform was built to the mouth of the shaft, and the boxes of coal were landed and placed on a tram, which ran out to a screen above the rails of the inclined plane... The [screened coal then] went into wagons underneath, which were run down the hill to the jetty." The system worked in such a way that the heavy coal-laden wagons rolling down the hill helped to pull the empty wagons up the hill. Not surprisingly it required "careful treatment to safely bring the wagon to the jetty. We used to stand on the brake behind, and guide the wagon to keep it on the road. The jetty was built so that [ships] could lie underneath; the wagons above, with flap arrangement below, could then quickly discharge their load into the hold of the boat."5. Signal Station - a two hour, 3.5 km walk around past the Inclined Plane and the Shaft to the location of the old semaphore signal station.
The signal station was part of a system designed by Captain Booth at Port Arthur which allowed communication to occur between Port Arthur and the outstations in fifteen minutes.6. Military Precinct & Gardens - a 4 km return lasting 2 hours and 30 minutes to the Military Precinct, which lay beyond the convict precinct
7. Military Precinct to Convict Settlement - which is a short 15 minute, 500-metre walk.
8. The Quarry - a 90 minute, 2.5 km return walk.
In a detailed contemporary account of this large shaft which was 92 metres deep. It was constantly flooding and William Thompson, one of the workers in the mine, has left us this description of the working "At the bottom of the shaft there were three roads. One was called the Double Road; it lay right in front of you and ran steeply down for about 40 or 50 yards... at the bottom there was a pump which was continually kept at work pumping the water up to the bottom of the big shaft. At the mouth of the pit was a pump to drain the water that collected at the bottom, and this was continuously operated by about eight men or more.9. A Heathland Wander - a pleasant 3 hours, 4.5 km return through the surrounding heathland from the Main Shaft to the Air Shaft.
The coal was extracted by "sending the men down was for one man to sit across the short iron bar, holding onto the chain which was attached to its centre, and another man sat on the opposite side across the first man’s knee. They were then lowered by the windlass to the bottom. One miner got the coal from each face..."
10. The Air Shaft - a 5 km return, 3 hour 30 minutes walk through the heathland to the air shaft.
There
are signs and displays to guide you around and inform about the
history of the Site
A great
place to explore on foot, with a number of tracks and paths around
the extensive site, the Coal Mines offers visitors the chance to
discover, among the ruins and scenic vistas, a different perspective
on Tasmania’s convict history.
The site is managed by the Port Arthur Historic Site Management Authority and is one of the Unesco Australian Convict Sites World Heritage properties.
Getting There
Take the signposted turn-off at Old Trading Store on Nubeena Road, Premaydena and travel around 13km north-west to Saltwater River Coal Mines Historic Site. Entry is free.
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| Turn off Nubeena road for the Convict Coal Mine at the Old Trading Store |
Lime Bay Camp ground
Located at 181 Coal Mine Rd, Sloping Main, this beautiful isolated, National Park, campsite is located right near the water’s edge is suitable for both tents and caravans and is approximately 7km north of the Convict Coal Mines.
Facilities include toilets, some picnic tables and fire places, but you need to bring your own water and firewood.
FEES & BOOKINGS
Camping Fees:
$13 per site based on 2 adults – Unpowered Site
Children – 4 and Under Free
5-17 years $2.50
Family Rate – $16 per site
Bookings are not taken.
National Park entry fees and conditions apply.
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Camping Fees:
$13 per site based on 2 adults – Unpowered Site
Children – 4 and Under Free
5-17 years $2.50
Family Rate – $16 per site
Bookings are not taken.
National Park entry fees and conditions apply.
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