Port Arthur
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Port Arthur is a small town and former convict settlement on the Tasman Peninsula in Tasmania, Australia. It is one of Australia's most significant heritage sites and a major tourist attraction. The site was originally established in the 1830s as a penal colony for the British Empire, designed to house and reform some of its most hardened criminals. The penitentiary, which once held over a thousand convicts, is now a well-preserved museum and open-air historical site. Visitors can explore the ruins of the prison, the guard tower, and other buildings, as well as learn about the harsh conditions and daily life of the convicts. Port Arthur is also remembered for the tragic 1996 massacre, one of Australia's deadliest shooting incidents, which led to significant changes in the country's gun laws.