Convicts on the West Coast of Tasmania

The use of the west coast as an outpost to house convicts in isolated penal settlements occurred in the eras 1822–33, and 1846–47.

While most physical traces of the convict era were abandoned or lost, many foundations and outlines of the buildings of the settlement can still be seen.

However, enough remains that guided tours of the island can still give a vivid and moving glimpse into the lives of the convicts and their keepers, and the huge amount of building and land reclamation that took place during the relatively short life of the prison.

Piners also have periodically discovered convict era items during their work along the rivers and shore of Macquarie Harbour.

The Ship Thieves by Sian Rees focuses upon James Porter one of the group of convicts on The Frederick, and manuscripts found in the Dixson Library in Sydney.