For the unfortunate prisoners of Norfolk Island’s second penal colony, no assignment was worse than the Crankmill. Here, some 100 convicts – still shackled in chains – were forced to mill corn using human-powered machinery.
It was backbreaking work, designed with punishment rather than efficiency in mind. Records from the time recount witnesses hearing haunting wails from the prisoners inside.
The Crankmill was gutted by fire and now lies in ruins within the Kingston UNESCO World Heritage Site. Wander the stone remnants and reflect on the cruel history.
The building didn’t always serve such a dark purpose. Prior to the instalment of the Crankmill, it functioned as a grain store and military barracks.
Visitor Information
Operating Hours: 24/7
Cost: Free
Getting Here: Near Kingston Pier, a 5-10 minute drive from Burnt Pine.
Don’t let the gory legend of Bloody Bridge deter you; visit this historic landmark to admire the stonework and hard labour of the convicts who built it.
Visit the Commissariat to learn about Norfolk’s convict past. This historic building once held food supplies for the convicts and jailers on Norfolk Island.
Formerly the Surgeons Quarters, today this resilient little building houses a fascinating collection of photographs which bring the history of our island to life.
Visit Kingston Pier, which was a vital entry point for Norfolk’s settlers and still welcomes supply ships and fishing boats as it has done for two centuries.
Bring your camera along to capture this solitary tree that survived the mass felling of Norfolk pines and stood sentry over the island’s turbulent history.
Turn back to Norfolk Island’s convict chapter at No. 10 Quality Row, now a museum. Learn about the home’s inhabitants as you wander through the restored interior.
Our fascinating history takes on a new dimension at the Norfolk Island Cemetery. Read the grave stones marking two centuries of life on this South Pacific island.
The Old Military Barracks have served many purposes over the years. Visit the Kingston UNESCO World Heritage Site to find out what important roles it has played.
