While Not Working

Camped as we were at the very foot of a ruined convict gaol , we postponed cycling for the morning and went exploring ruins instead.  This wasn't as adventurous as it sounded: the ruins were well fenced and we had to pay $11 each for the privilege of exploring them. The rock was quarried from directly below the building site, which could have been interesting had they needed more rock than originally thought.   Back in 1883 the busy east coast shipping trade meant that ships wrecked themselves on the coast between Sydney and Brisbane with distressing regularity. Sitting half way along the coast was Trial Bay (so named because the brig "Trial" was shipwrecked there in 1816), offering a sheltered harbour from the north, and not so much shelter from the south.  Sunrise from the gaol.   "Let's build a rock wall to make the bay safer for ships seeking refuge," said the Government of the day. Being Government, they then hemmed and hawed and had a few committees an...