Established in 1821 during Australia’s period of colonization, Sarah Island served as a penal settlement where convicts were sent to perform the grueling labor of felling Huon pine for shipbuilding. Situated off the coast of Strahan and surrounded by the Southern Ocean, it stands as Australia’s oldest and most isolated penal colony. Today, visitors can explore the remnants of this historic site, gaining insight into the harsh conditions and the lives of those who were once confined here.
Travel Themes & Experiences
Julian Sterling
April 17, 2026
