Spotlight on the amazing Coal Mines Historic Site in Tasmania
The Coal Mines Historic Site on the Tasman Peninsula in Tasmania is absolutely fascinating. The best part? It’s completely free to visit and you can stroll around at your own pace!
Sitting alongside the well known Port Arthur Penitentiary Site on the Australian Convict Site World Heritage property list, the Coal Mines Historic Site is a must-visit on the Tasmania Peninsula.
Poorly behaved inmates at the nearby Port Arthur Penitentiary served hard labour at the Coal Mines. So basically, the worst of the worst were sent here. At one stage, the Coal Mines Historic Site housed up to 600 convicts who worked in the underground tunnels, chipping the coal by hand and using trolleys to drag it back out.
The mine was closed in 1848 due to both ‘moral and financial grounds’. Today, you can wander around the ruins of the barracks, chapel, bakehouse, store and officers’ quarters. You can even go inside and check out the solitary cells.
The walks at the Coal Mines Historic Site
There are three main self-guided walks to follow at the Coal Mines Historic Site and we ended up doing a combination of all three.
Walk 1 – Settlement to Mineshaft
This coal mines historic site walk is around 2km and takes around 1 – 2 hours to return at a leisurely pace. The first 300m of the track is wheelchair accessible but the remainder of the walk would not be suited for those with limited mobility. Out of all three walks, you will see the most on this one.
Begin at the Settlement and once you have explored a little, walk up the hill to the Main Shaft and then down to Plunkett Point, returning along the convict road to the settlement.
Walk 2 – Main Shaft to Settlement
Although this walk is a little steep in places, it is an easy walk for the most part. Allow 1 hour and 20 minutes to complete this one way.
This walk is ideal if you have two vehicles. Leave one in the lower carpark and then drive up to the Main Shaft. Once you have explored the Main Shaft, walk down the hill to the settlement via a side trip down the Inclined Plane.
Walk 3 – Settlement to Plunkett Point
This walk takes just under an hour to return and is the easiest of the three Coal Mines Historic Site walks. Starting at the Settlement, walk down to Plunkett Point via the convict road and return via the same route. If you can spare another 30 minutes to return, follow the track from Plunkett Point to the convict quarry before you head back.
Visiting the Coal Mines Historic Site With Kids
The kids really enjoyed the walk around the Coal Mines Historic Site. There is a lot of open space and freedom for children and most will enjoy exploring the ruins and solitary confinement cells.
The fact that this is a self-guided walk makes visiting with kids extremely easy. No schedule or group to follow!
Information and How to Get to The Coal Mines Historic Site
The Coal Mines Historic Site is open daily. No bookings or entry fee is required and toilets are available at the main car park.
You will find this site around 25 minutes drive from Port Arthur on the Tasman Peninsula. Travel on road B37 from Taranna or Nubeena on the Tasman Peninsula. At Premaydena take road C 341 for approximately 13km. The final 3km is unsealed
Looking for more awesome family holiday destinations?
For more information on visiting Tassie with kids, browse our Tasmania page. Alternatively, head back to the home page for inspiration on destinations and activities in Australia and worldwide.
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Planning and booking your holiday to Tasmania
National Parks Pass:
A National Park entrance fee is required to visit most parks in Tasmania. You can buy a single-day pass or if you are exploring more of Tassie, an eight-week pass that gets a whole family into all of Tasmania’s National Parks is better value for money. Passes can be purchased here.
More information:
Check out the official Tourism Tasmania page for more information on great places to visit in Tasmania.
Getting to Tasmania:
Search on Trip.com for the best deals to Tasmania. Flights are available from most capital cities into either Hobart or Launceston.
Alternatively, you can also come across by boat on the Spirit of Tasmania. If you choose to come across by boat, you can bring your own vehicle.
Accommodation in Tasmania:
Accommodation in Tasmania is varied and there are options from budget to luxury. Find a great deal here.
Getting around Tasmania:
Compare rental car prices here.
