Port Arthur Historic Site Admission and Tour Options
Tasman Peninsula, Tasmania
The UNESCO World Heritage-listed Port Arthur Historic Site brings Australia’s convict history to life. Admission includes self-guided audio, site talks, and harbor cruise. Tours available as options.
The Port Arthur Historic Site on the Tasman Peninsula offers a self-guided audio tour, expert-led talks, and a harbor cruise, ideal for history enthusiasts visiting from Hobart.
Highlights
- Explore at your own pace with a self-guided audio experience
- Engage with expert guides through free site talks daily
- Take a harbor cruise around the Isle of the Dead
- Connect with historical characters through personalized stories
Description
Located 1.5 hours from Nipaluna / Hobart, the Port Arthur Historic Site spans 40 hectares and features over 30 buildings, ruins, and restored period homes. The site reflects its past as a 19th-century penal colony.
Tickets allow daytime entry for two consecutive days and include a harbor cruise, self-guided audio tours, and complimentary talks by expert guides. Begin your visit at the Port Arthur Gallery, where you can select a character card to hear personal histories of convicts, soldiers, or settlers associated with the site. Explore collections of artifacts that reveal the lives of those who lived there.
Move at your own pace through convict ruins, gardens, and curated house museums. Free guided presentations by expert staff run throughout the day. The short harbor cruise offers views of the site from the water, including the Isle of the Dead, Dockyards, and Point Puer, historically the location of the first Boys Prison in the British Empire.
Additional Tours
- Essentials Tour (45 min): Accessible guided tour covering the key history and stories of Port Arthur.
- Premium Tour (90 min): Small group guided walk exploring detailed histories of iconic buildings.
- Isle of the Dead Tour (40 min): Guided walking tour of the burial site for convicts, soldiers, and settlers.
- Escapes Tour (60 min): Stories about convict escape attempts.
Includes
- General admission valid for two consecutive days
- Self-guided audio experience (bring a charged smartphone)
- 20-minute harbor cruise
- Complimentary talks by expert guides and specialist staff
- Access to over 30 historic buildings, ruins, gardens, and restored houses
- Courtesy shuttle service for visitors with restricted mobility
- Free Wi-Fi
- Optional additional tours (if selected)
Excludes
- Headphones (please bring your own)
- Food and drinks (available for purchase on site)
- Transport to and from Port Arthur
- Additional tours not selected at booking
Important Information
- If arriving via cruise ship, entry is covered by your cruise operator and does not require additional ticket purchase.
Cancellation Policy
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before your booking for a full refund.
For the best experience, bring headphones, comfortable walking shoes, and a charged smartphone for the audio tour. Visiting during weekdays outside school holidays provides a quieter experience.
