Now, Maria Island is an island that is a national park, and often the most commonly known fact is that the island is used for the re-establishment of endangered wildlife. Most recently are the Tasmanian Devils who are living and breeding on the island. But, Darlington was also the site of a probation station for convicts. A lot of the information regarding the program has been lost to time, just as the convicts buried on the island were not recorded, and the bodies were buried in unmarked, mass graves.
I got to see what is left of cells that housed the young convicts that were housed on the island. Standing in front of the very small, windowless cells- while looking out at the expansive ocean stretching out as far as I could see and trying to imagine, not only the time-period, but the disconnect between being a prisoner, in a small confined space, in an area that could easily carry the moniker of 'paradise'.
If you want to see more about the devils- there is a decent ABC/ITV Aussie Animals short series about the introduced, disease free Tasmanian Devils to Maria Island.
I can't find a decent link-but I am sure some googling will set you right.
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