Sarah Island - TAS

Situated in Macquarie Harbour on Tasmania's west coast, Sarah Island is probably the most infamous of all of the Australian penal colonies. It was established to harvest local Huon pine, one of the best known ship building timbers because of its resistance to both rot and marine borers that attack most other timbers.

Difficulty in transporting the pine logs out of Macquarie Harbour through the notorious heads known as Hells Gate, lead to the establishment of a ship building facility at Sarah Island.

The remains of ship construction slipways and other ruins, including original buildings, have been preserved. Access has been facilitated by the construction of paths and walkways and the construction of a wharf and mooring facility for tourist boats operating from Strahan Harbour, part of Macquarie Harbour.

Macquarie Harbour cruises from Strahan visit the island. Historians are on hand to lead tourists through the ruins and tell their story.