Australian Prison Tourism: A Question of Narrative Integrity

The article discusses the special nature of prison tourism in Australia, given the nation’s origins, just over two centuries ago, as a penal colony, and the significant role thus played by convicts in the development of Australian society. Prison tourism is also examined as almost the only type of ‘dark tourism’ widely undertaken within Australia. It is argued that a combination of prevailing social attitudes and the influence of certain stakeholder groups limit or skew the narratives inherent in former prison sites, with consequent negative ramifications for the historical and social integrity of the sites.