COAL MINES HISTORIC SITE

The Saltwater River mines were Tasmania's first coal mines. Established as an indispensable local source of coal, they were also a place of punishment for the most recalcitrant convicts. Remains of the main colony can be found here, including barracks, chapel, officers' quarters and solitary confinement cells. Among the ruins, the entrances to some of the old mine shafts are still visible. Like Port Arthur, this site is included in the list of Australia's 11 penitentiary sites.