Visit
Walks
History
Conservation

Search:

Contact

Contact us for bookings, information and media enquiries.

Name*
First Last
Email*
Phone
Enquiry type*
Message*

The Coal Mines Historic Site is an outstanding example of the 19th-century European global strategy of using the forced labour of convicts. Illustrating the importance of labour and production, classification, punishment and surveillance in the penal system and the role of the convict in the establishment of colonial economies, the Coal Mines Historic Site is listed as one of the 11 sites that together form the Australian Convict Sites World Heritage Property, inscribed on the World Heritage list in 2010.

Information

About Us
Donations and Support
Careers and Volunteers
Media Enquiries
Contact Us

Navigation

Home
Visit
History
Conservation

Contact Us

Coal Mines Road
Saltwater River
Tasmania 7186
Australia

Phone: 1800 659 101

Fax: 1800 659 202

Facebook
Instagram

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Email Address

Disclaimer and Copyright
Privacy Policy

Port Arthur Historic Site

Port Arthur Historic Site is a special place of vivid history, cultural heritage and stories so compelling, you’ll want to hear them again and again. It’s a place of global significance.

Visit site

Cascades Female Factory

Cascades Female Factory Historic Site aims to foster a greater understanding and appreciation for the largely untold story of female convicts sent to Australia.

Visit site

Coal Mines Historic Site

The Coal Mines Historic Site is an outstanding example of the 19th-century European global strategy of using the forced labour of convicts.

The Coal Mines is a large historic site of convict ruins nestled amid a coastal bushland setting. It’s the perfect place to explore if you want to go a little off the beaten track and meet some of our more elusive locals. Thanks @adventurersanddreamers for sharing this shy little guy! #echidna #seeaustralia #tassiestyle @coalmineshistoricsite

The Coal Mines Historic Site is the perfect place to wander and explore with interesting stories to be found along the way. Wonder what happened to this ‘vicious bad fellow’... Thanks @ionatadigital for helping us to share some of these stories. #worldheritage The convicts made to work at the Coal Mines spent long hours underground and in dark cramped conditions only to then grab a few hours rest in these cells. Thanks for sharing this image @ginijean. #hobartandbeyond #worldheritagesite Stunning night skies at the Coal Mines Historic Site captured by @andy_leggett_photog just beautiful!! #convictsites #australianconvictsites #hobartandbeyond #discovertasmania #seeaustralia #ruins #convictfootprints A quiet moment at the Coal Mines, quite a contrast to what the settlement would have looked like in 1839. Over 150 prisoners and a detachment of 29 officers were stationed at the Coal Mine as reported in 1839 by the Commissariat Officer. Stone barracks housed the prisoners and a chapel, bakehouse and store were built by this point. Nowadays the site is great to explore by foot. Thanks for sharing your image with us @mjd686 Evening colours at the Coal Mines thanks @loverofmystrybooks. This was a site on the Tasman Peninsula used to reform convicts with hard labour and through isolation. The Coal Mines Historic Site is strikingly beautiful with convict ruins nestled amid a coastal bush land setting. It's the perfect place for a picnic or a short bush walk. Thanks @livingvagabondlife for sharing this photo of the historic site. #convictsites #australianconvictsites #hobartandbeyond #discovertasmania #seeaustralia #ruins #convictfootprints A lovely place to explore at the Coal Mines on the Tasman Peninsula. The Coal Mines Historic Site is just 25 minutes’ drive from Port Arthur at Saltwater River and is a favourite spot for many to soak in the views and witness the collection of ruins which share the story of the penal colony which operated from 1833-1848. Image @golli_ja #convictsites #australianconvictsites #hobartandbeyond #discovertasmania #seeaustralia #ruins #convictfootprints Interesting tones and textures at the Coal Mines recently shared with us thanks to @warrenleahy A visit to the Coal Mines Historic Site today offers you a chance to discover and explore among the quiet ruins and scenic vistas a stronger understanding of some of Tasmania’s convict heritage. The Coal Mines is in quiet bushland about 25 minutes’ drive from Port Arthur and provides a glimpse into the lives of the men once incarcerated at this penal station. Visitors Guides available from Port Arthur Historic Site or via the Coal Mines website. #convictsites #australianconvictsites #hobartandbeyond #discovertasmania #seeaustralia #ruins #convictfootprints A workplace, a prison or place of extreme punishment? This is the Coal Mines in Tasmania; a place for the worst of the worst convicts, men who committed a serious offence or continually committed minor offences. By 1843 the settlement housed 579 prisoners, 27 soldier guards, 35 civilian supervisors and administrators with 14 of their wives and 90 children. Image credit @20photoproject #convictsites #australianconvictsites #hobartandbeyond #discovertasmania #seeaustralia #ruins #convictfootprints The remains of the solitary cells are a stark reminder of the most severe tier on Governor Arthur’s progressive scale of convict punishment and reform. The Coal Mines is one of 11 sites that make up the Australian Convict Sites World Heritage serial listing, each contributing a piece to the story of forced migration from one side of the world to the other and how a new nation was formed from hardship, inequality and adversity. The site illustrates the importance of labour and production, classification, punishment and surveillance in the penal system and the role of the convicts in establishing an economy for the growing colony. Thanks @amity_and_earth for sharing this photo of the solitary cells. #convictsites #australianconvictsites #hobartandbeyond #discovertasmania #seeaustralia #ruins #convictfootprints Night skies at the quiet Coal Mines Historic Site, perfect for those who prefer a more offbeat exploration of the convict experience. Thanks @tassie_heights for the image #convictsites #australianconvictsites #hobartandbeyond #discovertasmania #seeaustralia #nightskies #ruins #darkness

Port Arthur Historic Site

Cascades Female Factory

Coal Mines Historic Site