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shim Norfolk Bay
Convict Station
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  Old woodcut showing the original railway line and a carriage of toffs being powered along by convicts  

Historic
Bed & Breakfast

Norfolk Bay Convict Station has a prime position overlooking the quiet waters of Little Norfolk Bay and is the site of Australia's first railway station, the key supply line to Port Arthur.

5862 Arthur Highway,
Taranna 7180, Tasmania,
Australia
Tel:  61+ (03) 6250 3487
Fax: 61+ (03) 6250 3701
Email: info@convictstation.com

 

 
 

A contemporary view off the Convict Railway.

A long history
of toil and trouble

- - - - - - - - - - - -
Norfolk Bay Convict Station was built in 1838 as Australia's first railway station. Ships bound for Port Arthur from Hobart faced a dangerous journey across Storm Bay and round Cape Raoul.

It was much safer to stay in the sheltered waters of Norfolk Bay, unload at the Convict Station and then load goods and passengers into rail carts and transport them five miles (8kms) across land where they could be unloaded and rowed to Port Arthur. The Port Arthur Historic site is a 10 minute drive away from the Norfolk Bay Convict Station.

The carts were powered by men, convicts of course, who pushed the heavy carts up hill and rode down hill. It would have been a hard life but it was a sought after position - outdoors, away from the worst of the overseers, active (probably no worse than football training) and there was always the chance of a tip from a grateful passenger or some easy pickings.

After Port Arthur closed in 1877 the building became the first inn on the Peninsula and then, around 1900, it was converted into a guest house and local post office operated by the same family for over 40 years.

Major renovations have taken place since 1990 and the house now has five comfortable guest bedrooms, three en suite and two with their own private but detached bathrooms ( this means that they are dedicated to their room - not shared by another room - but are separate from the bedroom. Bathrobes are provided for privacy). There is a lovely guest lounge for guest to spend time in and a dining room for meals. The included breakfast is a generous buffet continental one and features our own home made jams and marmalades, home made breads and home-grown fresh fruit in season and also our own preserves.

Come stay in living history and soak in the beauty of the place.
 

 
       
  replica sailing boat on the bay in front of Norfolk Bay Convict Station      
 

History revisited:
A hand built replica visits Little Norfolk Bay during a historic recreation of
Bass and Flinders' journey of discovery.
     
           
  Norfolk Bay Convict Station railway logo        
 

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