Port Arthur is an accessible historic site in Tasmania. Information for visually and hearing impaired, claustrophobics, and a note about the dark history.

For a general overview of Port Arthur Historic Site, and why it's a must-see, "Port Arthur, Accessible Tasmania" introduces PAHS, with links for more information. For visitors with limited mobility and a general description of the site, see "Port Arthur for Wheelchairs", which has information for slow walkers as well as wheelchair users.

Accessibility for People with Impaired Vision

As the article "Port Arthur for Wheelchairs"describes the site, its pathways and the gradients and ground covers you will encounter, this article will tell you more about the opportunities for enjoying Port Arthur if you are partially or completely blind.

Signage

There is no obvious Braille signage or large print brochures.

The main signage around the outdoor exhibits on site was generally in large print as it is designed for all readers to be able to see it while standing a few feet away.

Touching

Many of the "exhibits" at Port Arthur are the actual buildings and restored grounds of the original penal colony. Almost everything is available to the touch.

Low Light Conditions

The site is closed at night but there is an after dark Ghost Tour which anyone can sign up for. It is a little corny and a little scary and a little educational. Visitors do enjoy it for the most part, if "enjoyed" is the right word. This is, after all, a real historic site with some rather brutal history.

The tours start at twilight and use lanterns for navigation, so they are in low to very low light conditions for their duration.

The Separate Prison is an intact building with low lighting. Some of the restored houses also are not brightly lit.

Most of the site is outdoors.

Audio guides and in-person historic interpreters

There are audio guides available for rental. Visitors who choose to use them can be observed listening carefully as they move about the site; the commentary seems to hold their interest very well.

A number of in-person guides work on site, telling visitors about Port Arthur at some of the key points.

A rich sensory experience

Because this is a 40-acre park-like setting and a small harbour, the overall sensory experience is quite rich. Visitors typically see and hear many birds and a few sheep. Most of the site is open or planted with ornamental trees and gardens. There is a more heavily wooded area with a boardwalk behind the peneteniary on the Convict Water Trail.

Accessibility for People with Impaired Hearing

Being an outdoor, open place, Port Arthur Historic Site does not rely very heavily on the spoken word to explain itself. However, the Visitor Centre "Lottery of Life" exhibition has a number of soundtracks playing in different parts of the space at the same time. "Lottery of Life" is a well-designed and informative, fun part of the visit. It may be more comfortable to experience it with hearing aids turned off if you cannot filter the noise any other way. It is not a large exhibit and the way it tells the story of the prisoners at Port Arthur is unique.

A note for those with claustrophobia

Although Port Arthur has some tight spaces, you will not accidentally find yourself in one. The site is large and open. The old peneteniary building and the church are both ruins without roofs.

You can stand at the door at any of the restored houses and decide from that point whether you are comfortable entering.

The Separate Prison has wide corridors between the rows of tiny cells. You never need enter a cell, nor do you have to look inside one. The door is never far away. The isolation cell has a door in a small courtyard, so if you are curious, you can stand in the open air and look into it.

The harbour cruise is on a catamaran with indoor seating, plenty of windows, and room to stand or perch on the outside deck. Visitors who were there in January and May, neither of which were peak season, observed that there were not too many people or crowds at that time.

The atmosphere of the place

Most sites don't have the emotional content of Port Arthur, but since it is a former prison, it is worth mentioning that this beautiful place has some not-so-beautiful history.

On top of its history as a penal colony, there was a shooting spree there ten years ago, referred to as the Port Arthur massacre. This event is sensitively remembered with a memorial on site, and visitors are requested not to ask the staff about it. The story is told through appropriate signage at the site of the memorial garden.

You can visit Port Arthur without spending any time talking about the massacre. If you are travelling with children, it is possible and not difficult to omit this part of the story from the things you see and do at PAHS.

Overall, the Port Arthur Historic Site is highly recommended by many visitors and by experts in historic sites. It is a beautiful, authentic and informative place.

All on-line references were current at the time this article was originally published on Suite101.com.