Harbour Cruise & Goat Island Convict Tour

 

Two weeks ago we went on a “Convicts, Castles and Champagne” tour with our roommates Ruth and James. Ruth found a deal online and we said ‘yes’ as soon as we discovered it was an open bar.

We boarded a 1920’s ferry, which as you can see from the photos was falling apart as it pulled into the pier. We were hesitant, but the first bottles of champagne were popped open quickly and we were off to Goat Island – Sydney Harbour National Park.

 

 

 Over the years this island has served as a quarry, convict stockade, explosives store, police station, fire station, boatyard and film set. We had a great tour leader and at mid day we stopped for a lunch buffet and got our moneys worth of wine and beer before re-boarding the ferry to enjoy a final loop of the harbour.

 Ruth, Jeff and James are standing in front of a prisoner unit. They would house over 20 convicts into each until when they weren't working.

 

 

 

Our tour guide John left his hat unattended... Jeff promptly tried it on.

We earned our spot on the convict tour by relieving them of an extra bottle of champagne upon departure, and proceeded to invite ourselves into other peoples wedding and engagement photos along the Rocks.