Sarah Island

Sarah Island, located in the southern part of Macquarie Harbour on Tasmania's west coast, is Tasmania's oldest convict settlement and was reputedly one of the severest penal establishments in the history of transportation to Australia. Established in 1822, it was a bleak place reserved for the worst of British felons. Despite its isolation and grim function, Sarah Island was, for a time, the largest shipbuilding yard in the colonies. Convicts were also put to work in the thriving pine trade. Today, the island is part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area and the Macquarie Harbour Historic Site. Visitors can access the island via cruise boats that depart from Strahan, offering guided tours of the island's ruins, including the 'new' penitentiary, the commandant's slipway, the bakehouse, and the tannery. The island's haunting ruins and natural beauty have made it a popular tourist destination since the late 19th century. A valid parks pass is required for entry to Tasmania's national parks. For more information, contact the West Coast Field Centre on (03) 6409 1020 or email PWS.WestCoast@parks.tas.gov.au.