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Quiz about Port Arthur Not Just For Criminals Anymore

Port Arthur - Not Just For Criminals Anymore! Quiz

Port Arthur was Australia's largest convict settlement. Located in Tasmania, it was known as "hell-on-earth", but actually began life as a timber station. It is now Tasmania's biggest tourist attraction.

A multiple-choice quiz by Santanigo. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
Santanigo

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
168,492

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
756

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. In what year did Port Arthur close as a prison? Hint

1853

1877

1895

1901

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Question 2 of 10

2. Which major city of Tasmania is Port Arthur closest to? Hint

Launceston

Burnie

Devonport

Hobart

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Question 3 of 10

3. What was the name of the man who committed Australia's largest mass murder at Port Arthur? Hint

Martin Bryant

Wade Frankum

Ivan Milat

Julian Knight

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Question 4 of 10

4. In 1834, a prison was set up for juvenile offenders close to Port Arthur. What was its name? Hint

Point Puer

Casuarina

Risdon

Won Wron

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Question 5 of 10

5. Approximately how many acres does the Port Arthur historic site cover? Hint

80 acres

100 acres

40 acres

90 acres

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Question 6 of 10

6. What was the name of the first commandant of the Port Arthur settlement? Hint

Matthew Stewart

Thomas Mason

John Rusell

Arthur Welsh

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Question 7 of 10

7. There was a military garrison at Port Arthur from 1830 until 1863.

True

False

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Question 8 of 10

8. Which building was gutted by fire in 1884? Hint

Penitentiary

Church

Guard Tower

Dining Hall

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Question 9 of 10

9. Why were livestock NOT kept at Port Arthur? Hint

All of these

It was thought the convicts would mistreat the animals

To prevent absconders using them as a source of provisions

The officers believed that livestock would be too smelly

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Question 10 of 10

10. What was the original name of the small island near Port Arthur which was used as a burial site? Hint

Opossum Island

Wombat Island

Kangaroo Island

Koala Island

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. In what year did Port Arthur close as a prison?

Answer: 1877

Port Arthur was self-sufficient during its time as a prison, with convicts providing labour. However, productivity fell off once the British stopped sending convicts to Australia. Most of the buildings were gutted by fire during the 20 years following its closure.

2. Which major city of Tasmania is Port Arthur closest to?

Answer: Hobart

Hobart is Tasmania's capital, located in the south of the state. It has a population of about 198,000. It is situated on the Derwent River, and is overlooked by Mount Wellington.

3. What was the name of the man who committed Australia's largest mass murder at Port Arthur?

Answer: Martin Bryant

Martin Bryant killed 35 people on 28th April, 1996. Wade Frankum killed 7 people in a shopping mall in Sydney on the 17th August, 1992. Julian Knight committed the 'Hoddle Street Massacre' on 9th August, 1987, killing 7 people. Ivan Milat was convicted of seven counts of murder and one count of attempted murder in the infamous "Backpacker Murders" in New South Wales.

4. In 1834, a prison was set up for juvenile offenders close to Port Arthur. What was its name?

Answer: Point Puer

Point Puer was established as a juvenile detention centre to keep younger boys away from the hardened criminals in the Port Arthur Penitentiary, and teach them trades that could be useful after their release. It closed in 1849. Risdon prison is a maximum/medium security prison for males located near Hobart. Casuarina is the main maximum security prison in Western Australia, with a capacity of 446. Won Wron is a minimum security prison farm located in Victoria.

5. Approximately how many acres does the Port Arthur historic site cover?

Answer: 100 acres

One hundred acres is equal to 40 hectares. Port Arthur enjoys around 200,000 visitors per year.

6. What was the name of the first commandant of the Port Arthur settlement?

Answer: John Rusell

Thomas Mason was a resident of the post-penal period.

7. There was a military garrison at Port Arthur from 1830 until 1863.

Answer: True

In 1863, the troops were withdrawn for service in New Zealand.

8. Which building was gutted by fire in 1884?

Answer: Church

The church was built of stone, and was completed in 1837.

9. Why were livestock NOT kept at Port Arthur?

Answer: To prevent absconders using them as a source of provisions

Draught animals were not introduced until 1864. The convicts had to do all of the manual labour themselves.

10. What was the original name of the small island near Port Arthur which was used as a burial site?

Answer: Opossum Island

Opossum Island, now known as the Isle of the Dead, was chosen by Rev. John Manton in 1833, and was used to bury convicts, ex-convicts and free people. Between 1833 and 1877 about 1000 burials were performed on the island. The free people were buried on the highest part of the island, while the convicts and ex-convicts were buried on the lower part of the island in unmarked graves. I hope you enjoyed this quiz. :)

Source: Author Santanigo

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Exit10 before going online.
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