tours tasmania port arthur

THE 10 BEST Port Arthur Tours & Excursions

Port arthur tours.

• Historical & Heritage Tours
• Sightseeing Tours
• Cultural Tours
• Multi-day Tours
• Walking Tours
• Ports of Call Tours
• Private Tours
• Wine Tours & Tastings
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Likely to Sell Out
• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. Port Arthur Full-day Guided Tour with Harbour Cruise and Tasman National Park

2. Tasman Island Cruises and Port Arthur Historic Site Day Tour from Hobart

3. Port Arthur and Tassie Devils Active Day Tour from Hobart

4. Full-Day Port Arthur Historic Site Tour and Admission Ticket

5. 3 day Tasmanian highlights tour – Hobart, Port Arthur and Bruny Island

6. 3-Hour Tasman Peninsula Wilderness Cruise from Port Arthur

7. Port Arthur Day Tour Private Charter Service

8. Port Arthur Shuttle and Tasman Sights Tour

9. Shore Excursion - Port Arthur - Tasman Peninsula

10. Port Arthur Shore Excursion

11. Port Arthur Historic Site on Saturday including Salamanca Market

12. Port Arthur, Richmond & Tasman Peninsula Active Day Tour

13. Tasman Island Cruises Day Tour from Hobart

14. 2 Day Bruny Island & Port Arthur Tour From Hobart

15. Grand Port Arthur with guided Isle of the Dead tour

16. 7-Day Super Value Tour of Tasmania: Explore Tasmania's West and East Coasts

17. Port Arthur Historic Site 2-Day Pass

18. Port Arthur, Richmond and Tasman Peninsula day tour

19. 6-Day Tasmanian Explorer Adventure Tour from Hobart

20. BIG 3 Tasmania - Launceston to Hobart - 3 Day Active Adventure

21. Port Arthur and Lavender Active Day Tour

22. Tasmania 8 Day - Tour in Circle

23. BIG 3 Tasmania - Hobart to Launceston 3 Day Active Adventure

24. Three Capes & tukana / Tasman Peninsula Hiking Tour - 4 Days

25. Tasmania 5 Day East Coast Tour

26. Three Capes Off Season Explorer Hiking Tour - 3 Days

27. The Port Arthur MEGA Day Trip from Hobart

28. 5 Day 4 Night Guided Tasmania Tour, minimum 4 passengers

29. 4-Day Private Tasmania Wilderness and Whiskey walks.

30. Time Traveler Tale Unveiling History at Port Arthur Full Day Tour

What travelers are saying.

• Port Arthur Full-day Guided Tour with Harbour Cruise and Tasman National Park
• 3-Hour Tasman Peninsula Wilderness Cruise from Port Arthur
• Tasman Island Cruises and Port Arthur Historic Site Day Tour from Hobart
• Full-Day Port Arthur Historic Site Tour and Admission Ticket
• Port Arthur and Tassie Devils Active Day Tour from Hobart
• Port Arthur Lavender Farm · Tourist Attraction
• Port Arthur Ghost Tours
• Three Capes Signature Walk by Tasmanian Walking Company
• Peninsula Paddling
• Pennicott Wilderness Journeys

Tasmania Explorer

Top 8 Port Arthur Tours – Best Port Arthur Tours From Hobart

One of the most popular things to do from Hobart is a Port Arthur day trip, and there are plenty of Port Arthur guided tours available.

The main event of a Port Arthur day tour is the Port Arthur Historic Site, the infamous convict settlement and one of the best preserved historical sites in Australia. But there are plenty of other sites, ranging from interesting to incredibly scenic that this area offers visitors.

Best Tour to Port Arthur

Don’t have time to read the whole article? The best choice is the fantastic Port Arthur Day Tour with Harbour Cruise and Tasman National Park.

Click here to book it now >>

Which Port Arthur Tasmania tour is best for you will depend on how much time you have and how much further afield you’d like to explore.

Below we have listed the top Port Arthur day trips. Whether you have half a day for a shore excursion or a full two days to explore the area, there is an option to suit you!

Click here to download your free Tasmania Road Trip Planner checklist . We’ll help you get ready for your trip!

Top 3 Tours: Best Port Arthur Tours

Want to book the best option without reading full reviews? Book one of our top 3 picks below…

Port Arthur Day Tour with Harbour Cruise and Tasman National Park

✔️ Concentrates on Port Arthur Historic Site

✔️ Best reviewed

Port Arthur, Richmond & Tasman Peninsula Day Tour

✔️ See as much as possible in one day

✔️ Explore Richmond as well

Port Arthur Day Tour with Carnarvon Bay Cruise

✔️ Concentrates on Port Arthur and Tasman Peninsula

Compare All The Best Port Arthur Tour Options

The table below compares all the following Port Arthur tours to help you make the best choice for your budget, style and preferences. The first five are all Port Arthur tour from Hobart options.

Here’s a quick overview if you are looking for a specific type of tour…

Top 5 Hobart To Port Arthur Tours

Port arthur, richmond and tasman peninsula day tour.

If you want to pack as much as possible into one day, this may be the best one of the Port Arthur day tours for you.

This tour starts early with hotel pick up in Hobart between 7am and 7:30am, and stops at some of the most scenic spots on the Tasman Peninsula on the way to Port Arthur. This includes the Tasman Arch and Devils Kitchen in Eaglehawk Neck, and includes a 2km cliff top walk from Paterson’s Arch to Waterfall Bay.

You’ll then head to Port Arthur Historic Site where you’ll have 4 hours to explore. This is plenty of time to examine the ruins, buildings and gardens. Included is a 40 minute walking tour and harbour cruise which is standard in a Port Arthur visit.

If 4 hours is too long for you, there is also an optional extra to visit the Tasmanian Devil Unzoo or Port Arthur Lavender Farm.

On the way back to Hobart, this tour stops at the historic village of Richmond where you can walk the streets and cross Australia’s oldest stone span bridge.

The tour stops at a local lookout point for scenic views over Hobart before dropping you back at your hotel around 6pm.

Lunch/dinner is not included in this tour but there are places to buy lunch along the way, or you could bring your lunch with you.

This is a full day and is great for people who have limited time to explore Port Arthur and the surrounding area, and want to fit as much in as possible.

Click here for more information.

If you’re looking for one of the more relaxed day tours from Hobart to Port Arthur, this Hobart to Port Arthur tour could be a good option.

This Port Arthur day tour from Hobart includes hotel transfers with pick up around 8:45am. The tour first takes you to some of the top attractions on the Tasman Peninsula including Devils Kitchen and the Tasman Arch. It’s also possible to do an optional tour of Remarkable Cave.

Next, you’ll visit Port Arthur Historic Site. The tour price includes entry to Port Arthur Historic Site, a 40 minute guided tour of the site as well as a cruise around Carnarvon Bay. You can then do a Port Arthur self guided tour around the site enjoying all that it has to offer.

The bus ride includes commentary along the way and offers free WiFi. The tour returns you to your hotel around 5pm. Note, there is no breakfast or lunch included.

This is a great option if you want to spend plenty of time at the historic site as well as see the scenic attractions around the Tasman Peninsula.

Port Arthur Day Tour with Carnarvon Bay Cruise and Isle of Dead Tour

For one of the Port Arthur tours from Hobart with something extra, check out this day trip to Port Arthur from Hobart. This tour includes a Port Arthur guided tour of Isle of the Dead in addition to entry to the historic site.

Departing around 8:45am, this tour includes hotel pick up, but it is also possible to meet at a departure point on Brooke Street Pier.

On the way to Port Arthur, this day trip to Port Arthur from Hobart stops at Eaglehawk Neck where you’ll visit Doo Town, see the Devils Kitchen, Tasman Arch and the blowhole before continuing on to Port Arthur Historic Site.

Entry to the historic site includes a 40 minute walking Port Arthur prison tour and a 20 minute Port Arthur boat cruise which gives you entry to Isle of the Dead and includes a walking tour of the island. This was the settlement’s burial site, and it contains graves of both convicts and free settlers. Over 1000 people are buried here, and a tour offers insight into their lives.

This tour will have you returning to Hobart around 5pm just in time for dinner.

Port Arthur Day Tour With Harbour Cruise And Tasman National Park

Another option among Port Arthur day tours from Hobart is this highly rated tour.

Beginning around 8:30am with hotel pick up from Hobart’s CBD, this tour heads to Port Arthur via a photo stop at the historic village of Richmond, just 30 minutes from Hobart, where you can see the famous bridge.

The next stop on this tour is Eaglehawk Neck where you can check out the scenery over the water from Pirates Bay Lookout.

The tour then takes you to Port Arthur Historic Site where you can enjoy a guided walking tour and a harbour cruise so you can experience everything this place has to offer.

It’s then on to the Remarkable Cave to see more of the rugged coastline of the area.

This is a full day with the tour arriving in Hobart around 6:30pm, but it’s one where you can make the most of the scenery and historic site. You’ll be dropped back at central hotels.

Port Arthur Day Tour with Salamanca Market and Carnarvon Bay Cruise

For something extra, check out this tour with a stop at Salamanca Market. This tour is basically the same as the Port Arthur Day Tour with Carnarvon Bay Cruise listed above, with an additional hour for visiting Salamanca Market.

Salamanca Market is a vibrant street market that is held every Saturday in Salamanca Place. The street shuts down to traffic and fills with stalls selling local produce, handcrafted trinkets, chocolate, fudge, jams, clothes, toys, bags and plenty of food. It’s always busy and beaming, and an exciting spot to explore.

This tour departs from Hobart at 8:45am and returns around 6pm and includes hotel pick up and drop off. You’ll have over an hour to roam around the market before heading to Port Arthur via Eaglehawk Neck and stopping at the main points of interest here.

When you reach the historic site, you’ll be given around 3.5 hours to explore and enjoy a walking tour and harbour cruise.

Wilderness Port Arthur Cruise

There are few ways to get closer to nature and wildlife than from the sea, and this Port Arthur boat tour by Tasman Island cruises in Port Arthur is one of the best choices.

This 3 hour wilderness cruise takes you around the Tasman Peninsula exploring some of the amazing geological formations from the sea. This includes skirting around the rugged and towering coastline and seeing sea caves and waterfalls.

This is also one of the top Port Arthur boat tours for spotting wildlife. Expect to see numerous species of birds, dolphins, seals and even potentially a whale.

You’ll also see the isolated Tasman Island Lighthouse. The crew are knowledgeable of both the area and wildlife and will answer any question.

These tours depart from Port Arthur, so you’ll need to make your way there. You should also expect to get wet – jackets are provided.

These tours are truly unique and let you experience and appreciate the area from a completely different angle.

Port Arthur Cruise Ship Tours

This is an excellent tour option for those arriving in Port Arthur on a cruise ship. Cruise ships reach Port Arthur by tender where it’s an easy walk to the entry of the Port Arthur Historic Site. This is the meeting point for this tour.

This is a half day tour which still gives you plenty of time to explore the historic site, as well as around Port Arthur and the Tasman Peninsula.

Tasmanian Chocolate Foundry is the first stop where you can do some tastings, as well as purchase some chocolate, a gift or tea. This tour takes you to Tasman National Park where you’ll stop at top attractions on the Tasman Peninsula, including Devils Kitchen, Tasman Arch and Remarkable Cave.

There is a visit to Doo Town and a stop at the cafe Doo-lishus (extra charge), as well as a stop at Port Arthur Lavender Farm where you can walk through the farm, get a coffee or something to eat and visit the fabulous gift shop, before arriving back at the historic site to start exploring. Note that entry to the historic site is at your own cost.

This is one of the best value Port Arthur Tasmania tours for cruise ship passengers.

Want To Travel Independently?

Whilst doing a tour is an excellent way to see the top sites in and around Port Arthur, travelling independently is also possible.

For independent tours to Port Arthur from Hobart, you’ll need your own car to make the most of the area. Attractions are quite spread out and there’s a lot to see.

You can plan your tour by reading about how to get to Port Arthur from Hobart here and things to do in Port Arthur here .

You can also stay overnight in Port Arthur. There are several nice accommodation options in and around Port Arthur. If you plan to do this, note that entry to the Port Arthur Historic Site is valid for 2 days. This will give you plenty of time to explore the site extensively.

Visiting independently also gives you more flexibility over the Port Arthur tour times.

Port Arthur Walking Tour

All entry tickets to Port Arthur Historic Site include a 40 minute walking tour. You can choose the time of your walking tour when you book your ticket.

The walking tour begins from the main entry building and offers insights into the sites history and how life was here. Guides generally discuss the life of individual convicts, the problems of the time that lead to the establishment of the site, and information on the church and homes of the free settlers.

You’ll also hear about the brutal conditions at Port Arthur, leading to its reputation as one of the toughest gaols in the colony.

Port Arthur Harbour Cruise

Entry to port Arthur also includes a 20 minute harbour cruise around Carnarvon Bay. These cruises are on a modern two-storey vessel offering nice views of the harbour with narration from the boat’s captain.

It is also possible to get off at Isle of the Dead. This small island was Port Arthur’s burial site and the graves of over 1000 men, women and children, both marked and unmarked, fill the island. It is a small additional fee to visit the island.

It is beautifully presented and includes a walking tour making a visit worthwhile.

Port Arthur Ghost Tour

For something really unique, consider taking a Port Arthur night tour by doing one of the super popular Port Arthur ghost tours.

The 1.5 hour long Port Arthur Tasmania ghost tour takes you around the site by lantern light with a guide sharing the more gruesome history and many ghost stories that have given Port Arthur a reputation for being one of the most haunted places in Australia.

Whether or not that’s true, it’s fair to say that the Port Arthur ghost tour stories combined with the atmosphere at night makes for an eerie and popular tour!

Plus, there are options to start your tour with a two-course Port Arthur ghost tour dinner at the 1830 Restaurant & Bar.

Final Words

Port Arthur and the surrounding area have so much to offer.

In our opinion, this is a must visit spot when travelling around Tasmania, if only to visit the historic site. As you can see, there are plenty of options when it comes to day tours Hobart to Port Arthur.

I hope this article has helped you find the best Port Arthur day trip. Enjoy your visit!

Want to learn more? Click here to read our full guide of everything to do around Port Arthur , all the best Port Arthur accommodation here and here for our full guide to the Tasman Peninsula.

Related posts:

By Shan Hutchinson

Shan grew up in Tasmania, moved away and then came back with her family twenty years later. She loves re-discovering her home state and sharing it with you here.

Port Arthur Tours

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About Port Arthur Tours

Port arthur and the tasman peninsula.

Port Arthur is located on the Tasman Peninsula. The scenic drive from Hobart, via the Tasman Highway to Sorell and the Arthur Highway to Port Arthur, takes around 90 minutes.

Port Arthur Historic Site is one of the most popular attractions in Tasmania. This World Heritage-listed historic site was one of the earliest convict settlements in Australia back in the 1800s. The Port Arthur Historic Site consists of over 30 buildings, ruins and gardens to explore. The basic entry ticket includes walking and boat tours and there are many other places to explore too. Open from 9:00am until dusk.

A variety of guided tours & transfers to Port Arthur from Hobart are available for visitors to the region. Some guided experiences include entry fees into Port Arthur Historic Site, Lunch and opportunities to visit surrounding atractions on the Tasman Peninsula such as the Remarkable Cave, Unzoo and Lavender farm.

Port Arthur Entry Fees Entry to Port Arthur is not included in bus transfer only tours. You can purchase entry on the day of travel at Port Arthur

• Adult (18+ years) - $40.00
• Concession - $30.00
• Child (7 - 17 years) - $18.00
• Child (0 - 7 years) - Free Entry
• Family - $102.00 (2 Adults and up to 6 children)

Your site entry ticket gives you two consecutive days to experience the attractions and activities at Port Arthur.

Port Arthur Entry Fees include

• Access to more than 30 historic buildings
• Heritage gardens
• Walking trails
• 40-minute, guided Walking Tour
• 25-minute Harbour Cruise
• Entry to the Port Arthur Gallery

Port Arthur Day Tours From Hobart

This is an overview of the different guided Port Arthur tour experiences available. Please click on the above cards to view more info on each tour.

Tasman Island Cruise Full Day Tour + Port Arthur Historic Site + Lunch | Pennicott Wilderness Journeys Duration | 10 hours (approx) This is the ultimate Tasman Peninsula day tour. Your day includes return guided bus tour from Hobart, our award-winning 3 Hour Cruise, morning tea and lunch as part of three hours at the Port Arthur Historic Site.

Port Arthur Day Tour | Pennicott Wilderness Journeys​ Duration | 10 hours (approx) Your day includes return guided bus tour from Hobart and Bronze Entry into the Port Arthur Historic Site. The tour departs from the Dock Head Building on Franklin Wharf, next to the Constitution Dock Lifting Bridge on Hobart's Waterfront.

Port Arthur & Tasman Peninsula Tour | Tours Tasmania ​ ​Duration | 11 hours (approx) Enjoy a fun and action packed day out on the Tasman Peninsula. Explore convict history at Port Arthur Historic Site, view amazing scenery and panoramic landscapes from Tasman Peninsula and Pirates Bay Lookout, and some great local specialties.

Port Arthur & Tassie Devils Tour | Tours Tasmania Duration | 11 hours (approx) Explore, discover and learn with our guides as we enjoy a variety of activities, walks, sightseeing, history, Tassie Devil Feeding, chocolate tasting and much more!

Port Arthur & Lavender Farm Tour | Tours Tasmania Duration | 11 hours (approx) Explore the Port Arthur Lavender Farm & Port Arthur Historic Site, see Tasman National Park highlight, the Tasman Arch, sample local chocolates made at Federation Chocolate Factory and visit the historic Richmond Village.

Port Arthur Attractions

This 3 day tour out of Hobart hits 3 of Tasmania’s most popular tourist destinations at a very competitive, generous price. Adventure, history, culture, nature, wildlife and local produce are all included in this magnificent Tasmanian experience.

What makes it Great:

• Covers the major tourist attractions around Hobart, Port Arthur & Bruny Island
• Small & personalised tour
• Spot incredible wildlife including rare albino wallaby

Getting To Port Arthur From Hobart

Self Drive to Port Arthur Port Arthur Historic Site is a 90-minute drive from Hobart, and the journey offers some of the best sightseeing in Tasmania. The Arthur Highway winds through lush farmland and forest, inviting beaches, and the Tasman Peninsula’s famously scenic coastline. Allow enough time to stop along the way and explore places like the Tesselated Pavement at Eaglehawk Neck, and dramatic coastal sites such as the Blowhole, Tasman Arch, Devil’s Kitchen and Pirate’s Bay Lookout.

Port Arthur Coach Transfers There are regular transport services between Hobart and Port Arthur.

• Pennicott Wilderness Journeys offer daily bus service from Hobart to Port Arthur, ideal for walkers travelling on the Three Capes Track, departing at 8.00am . The return bus departs from Port Arthur Historic Site at 4:45pm & returns at 6:30pm. (see above)
• The Port Arthur Shuttle departs Hobart at 10:30am & Returns at 5:30pm. Travel time from Hobart is 1.5 hours. (see above)

Guided Tours to Port Arthur A variety of guided tours & transfers to Port Arthur from Hobart are available for visitors to the region. Some guided experiences include entry fees into Port Arthur Historic Site, Hotel transfers, Lunch and opportunities to visit surrounding atractions on the Tasman Peninsula such as the Remarkable Cave, Unzoo and Lavender farm.

Other Attractions On The Tasman Peninsula

Three-hour Tasman island boat cruise This Pennicott Wilderness Journey takes you for a spectacular three-hour cruise along the extraordinary coastline of Tasman National Park, between Eaglehawk Neck and Port Arthur. Close encounters with the highest sea cliffs in the Southern Hemisphere at 300 metres (328 yards) high, rugged and spectacular coastal landscapes, waterfalls, deep sea caves, amazing wildlife on land and sea like ocean gulls, pods of bottlenose dolphins, migrating humpback whales, as well as Australian and New Zealand fur seals .

Tasmanian Devil Unzoo The Tasmanian Devil Unzoo on the main way to Port Arthur is a wildlife park where you can visit many Australian animals including the infamous tasmanian devil. There are regular informative sessions and feeding times for the tasmanian devil as well as kangaroo and quoll feeding and bird shows. It has a glass dome that pops up from underneath the devil enclosure, so if you stick your head up into the dome while the devils are nearby, you may get a much closer look!

Blowhole, Tasman Arch & Devil’s Kitchen ​ You can reach formations like the Tasman Arch, the Blow Hole, the Devils Kitchen, the Tesselated Pavement, Remarkable Cave and Waterfall by car. But, by far the best views of the rugged coastline are from the parks many bushwalks. Take the Tasman Arch walking track around the back of the arch for some stunning views of the rugged coastline. From the arch, it is only a hundred meters walk to the Devil’s Kitchen. At the Devil’s Kitchen, you can look down deep into the gorge and hear the sound of the crashing waves below. A short walk around behind the blowhole will take you to a lookout with views out over the coast.

Tasman Bay National Park Lookout After driving approximately one hour from Hobart along Arthur Highway, the first stop as you cruise through Eaglehawk Neck is a beautiful viewpoint overlooking Tasman Bay just off the main road onto Pirates Bay Drive. With a short walk to the Blowhole you can see waves passing through a tunnel in a rocky point and can spray up like whale spouts in the right conditions. Above the Blowhole, walk out on the point to Fossil Bay Lookout and enjoy views up and down the dramatic coastline. The quick and easy walk to both of these attractions is less then half a kilometer (0.3 miles) long.

Port Arthur Lavender Farm Port Arthur Lavender situated on the waterfront at Long Bay, just a five-minute drive from the iconic Port Arthur Historic Site is one of the most picturesque, with endless rows of lavender grown beside a reflective lake Stroll down the purple alleys of lavender and enjoy the delicious lavender infused ice cream. Port Arthur lavender season starts from around the middle of November and reaches full glory during December and January.

Hikes & Trails

The Tasman Municipality comprises the Tasman and Forestier Peninsulas; combined they offer the most diverse day walking options in Australia. From easy family walks of only 15 minute to multi-day trails to suit even the most adventurous. Below are a few of the most popular.

Please note: Many of the walks require a National Parks Pass if you wish to enter Tasman National Park. It is best to organise this before you arrive.

Trail Name | Hours Distance | Grade | Parks Pass

• Waterfall Bay: 1 | 3km | Easy | Required
• Convict Coal Mine Circuit: 2 | 3km | Easy | No
• Cape Hauy: 4 | 8km | Medium | Required
• Shipstern Bluff: 4 | 8km | Medium | No
• Clarks Cliffs: 4 | 8km | Medium | No
• Crescent Bay: 4 | 9km | Medium | Required
• Bivouac Bay: 4 | 10km | Easy | Required
• Cape Raoul Lookout: 2 | 6km | Medium | Required
• Cape Raoul: 5 | 14km | Medium | Required
• Waterfall Bay to Fortescue Bay: 7 | 17km | Medium | Required
• Cape Pillar: 2 day | 30km | Medium | Required
• Cape Pillar Circuit: 3 day | 38km | Hard | Required
• Three Capes Track Tour: 4 day | 48km | Medium | Included

Weather & What To Bring

As there is a lot to see and do at Port Arthur, site entry passes are valid for two consecutive days, and include a 45 minute guided introductory walking tour and a 25 minute harbour cruise.

If you’re looking for the very warmest time to visit Port Arthur, the hottest months are from December to February. The warmest time of year is generally late January and early February where highs are regularly around 31.9°C with temperatures rarely dropping below 18.5°C at night. Always carry additional warm clothing, including a waterproof outer layer.

Bring comfortable footwear and clothing for all weather is recommended

A courtesy shuttle service for people with restricted mobility is available on site between 10am and 3pm daily with an extended service offered during summer

Read Port Arthur Tours Reviews

Guy kloeden.

Truly iconic and amazing in all levels and aspects. Loved the introductory and cruise tours as it gave us direction how to tackle this big piece of historical landmarks and the 2day consecutive entry tickets just made the experience so much nicer. It was great to learn about the history of tassie and the convicts. I did all of the tours and found them all fantastic.

Danny Payne

We went on the 3 hour Tasman island cruise today leaving from eagle hawk neck and arriving back at Stewart's point. Bus picked us up from port Arthur and took us to eagle hawk neck. What an AMAZING experience. Crew were awesome and very informative. Highly recommend this cruise, well worth the money

Sue-Anne Coelli

Perfect and professional from start to finish! We took the 3 hour Tasman Island Cruise from Port Arthur and all 4 of us loved it. The hosts (Tim & Andrew) were friendly and thoughtful, with entertaining and informative commentary. They made sure we all got our photos and views and made the absolute most of the weather conditions for the day. Even the bus driver was lovely and helped take care of our mum.We highly recommend it to anyone visiting the area.

Astrid Freebird

I'm giving the historic site five stars as it was absolutely incredible. If you like history, it's here in spades. It's worth taking a few hours to walk around on your own during the day to really get the full experience. Especially in the morning

Fantastic place to visit. We had Caitlin as our guide each time and she is FANTASTIC!! It was great way to learn some Australians history and an experience i would highly recommend.

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Port Arthur & Tasmanian Devils

During this busy and fast-paced active day tour w e combine two of Tasmania's iconic experiences - a Tassie Devil feeding and time to explore the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Port Arthur Historic Site. Beyond Port Arthur we visit Richmond historic village and walk the stunning Waterfall Bay cliff top track.

Today is action packed and fast paced. We make an early start from Hobart and drive directly to the stunning Tasman Peninsula.  This area has amazing history, fascinating stories and spectacular scenery. It is also home to Australia’s highest sea cliffs.  We enjoy the panoramic views of the area from Pirates Bay Lookout which provides a great vantage of the surrounding area.  Passing through Eaglehawk Neck and "The Dogline" our Tour Guides will share with you some fascinating stories and history of the area.  Then we begin one of Tasmania’s “Great Short Walks”.  This is a short but spectacular  track along the Waterfall Bay Clifftop.  The walk is around 45 minutes, undulating and categorised as an easy walk.  The track concludes at the remarkable rock formations of Tasman Arch and Devil’s Kitchen.

Next stop is the Tasmanian Devil Unzoo.  We arrive here for all the action of a Tasmanian Devil Feeding. Watch the snarling, fighting and bone crushing in a spectacle of devilish behaviour during the feeding.  Hand feed the wallabies and walk among the local fauna and flora in the charming “Unzoo” setting.

Continuing our journey, we arrive at Port Arthur Historic Site.  As we enter the Port Arthur Historic Site, there is a wealth of information and history to take in and to explore. Your entry includes a complimentary Harbour Cruise around the Isle of the Dead, ‘The Port Arthur Experience' a podcast that provides a fascinating introduction to the site, and complimentary site talks throughout the day led by Port Arthur’s expert guides.  Discover the grim and violent history of the early Australian Penal system and get a sense of the isolation experienced by the convicts in this “inescapable prison”.   With around 2.5 hours here, you have time to walk among the main penitentiary; see the solitary confinement cells and many more buildings in this World Heritage open air museum.

On our return to Hobart, we travel via the historic township of Richmond. Arriving late the in the afternoon, you will have time to meander the streets, stop for a coffee, visit the Lolly Shop, Chocolatier and walk across Australia’s oldest bridge still in use – a convict built sand-stone bridge, reported to be haunted!

We arrive back into Hobart around 6.00pm.

Check out our Frequently Asked Questions here http://www.tourstas.com.au/about-us/frequently-asked-questions/

Read our Terms & Conditions here http://www.tourstas.com.au/about-us/terms-conditions/

• Port Arthur Historic Site (2.5 hours)
• Tasmanian Devil Unzoo (1 hour)
• Tasmanian Devil feeding
• Birds of the Bush show
• Waterfall Bay Cliff Top Walk (easy grade)
• Tasman National Park – Devils Kitchen, Tasman Arch
• Pirates Bay Lookout
• Eaglehawk Neck & The “Dogline”
• Richmond village and historic bridge
• Tasmanian Devil Unzoo entrance fee
• Tassie Devil feeding & Birds of the Bush show
• Port Arthur Historic Site entrance fee
• Port Arthur Harbor Cruise
• Professional guides & interpretation
• Small, friendly groups
• Hotel pick up/drop off from select locations

Not included

• Meals are not included

What to bring

• Sensible shoes for day touring
• A variety of warm clothing
• Hat, sunscreen
• Water Bottle, Snacks, Lunch (or buy it on the day)

Tour Details

• Adult: $155
• Child (8-15 Years): $145
• Duration: 1 day
• Departs: Hobart 7.30am
• Returns: Hobart 6.00pm
• Days: Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri (+ Saturdays from 01 Dec - 31 Jan)
• Pick up time: 7.00am to 7.30am depending on your location

Port Arthur Shuttle & Tasman Sights

Shuttle bus service to port arthur.

History | Scenery | Convenience

Looking to visit the multi-award winning UNESCO World Heritage Site Port Arthur? Want the added bonus of visiting some of the Tasman Peninsula highlights? Or simply just need transportation to the area? Then we have you covered!

Port Arthur and the Tasman Peninsula are a must see and one of Tasmania’s most popular tourist attractions. With its rich history and spectacular scenery on offer, it is easy to see why! Our popular 8 hour tour allows you to experience it all. Jump aboard with one of our friendly, local drivers who will be keen to show you a fantastic day!

Explore Port Arthur and Tasman Sights

Some of the things you can expect to see and do with our port arthur and tasman sights tour:, pirates bay lookout.

With a panoramic view over Pirates Bay, this is an ideal stop to stretch your legs and breathe in the crisp, fresh Tasman peninsula air all while taking in its breathtaking views.

The Tasman peninsula is home to the largest sea cliffs in the Southern Hemisphere. On a clear day, you can see Cape Raoul, the candlestick and the Hippolyte. The rugged coastline and the rolling dense eucalyptus hills really do set the tone for why Port Arthur Prison was an ideal location.

The 30-meter-wide isthmus that leads to Port Arthur was once guarded by a line of up to nine ferocious dogs. A life-size replica of this infamous scene can be found on shore, setting the scene to how difficult it would have been to escape the Tasman peninsula through this narrow piece of land.

Chocolate Foundry

A 10-15 minute stop at the foundry chocolate is enough time to appease that sweet tooth. You can indulge or line the pockets with a large range of handmade chocolates. There are plenty of treats and gifts to satisfy all taste buds.

Tasmanian Lavender Company

Soak up the aroma as you walk through the fields of this ancient fragrant plant at the family-owned and operated farm which overlooks Long Bay on the doorstep of Port Arthur.

You have 20 minutes to explore the gift shop, sample or buy their lavender produce or simply purchase a coffee and morning tea/lunch and go for a stroll through the garden. If 20 minutes isn't enough there is an option to stay longer. Our guide will come back to collect you after dropping off the other customers at the historical site by 12 pm.

Port Arthur Historic Site

mmerse yourself into the dark eerie past of Port Arthur convict penal settlement dating back to 1830. Port Arthur is one of Australia’s most important colonial landmarks and one of Tasmania’s most iconic tourist attractions.

Winning multiple national tourism awards you will have the option of 3 or 4 hours to explore the site where there are more than 30 colonial buildings, ruins and restored homes as part of the UNESCO world heritage listed site. Your entry includes a 20-minute harbour cruise, an audio experience and complimentary key talks at locations throughout the day. A day and experience not to be missed and one to be remembered.

Remarkable Caves

Enjoy the vista from the Maingon Bay lookout, overlooking the Southern Ocean, watch the wild waves crash against the coastal sea cliffs and take in exceptional views of Penguin rocks and the bay. Descend down 115 steps to the view called remarkable caves. Surrounded by ancient sandstone cliffs and the view through the cave itself, it is well worth the descent.

At certain times of the year and weather conditions and tides the water rushes through the cave. Be prepared to get a little wet should the conditions align. This is a 1-hour round trip from the Port Arthur historic site.

Tour Schedule

• 9:30 am - Depart Hobart
• 10:40 am - Pirates Bay Lookout
• 11:05 am - Tas. Chocolate Foundry
• 11:30 am - Lavender Farm
• 12:00 pm - Port Arthur Historic Site
• 3:00 pm - Remarkable Cave (optional)
• 4:00 pm - Depart Port Arthur
• 5:30 pm - Arrive Hobart

1-way Shuttle to/from Port Arthur 3 capes, Local business, Accomodation

How it works

Departing Hobart 9:30am or select the 9:45am pickup at the Airport Travelodge. Included in the 1-way shuttle to Port Arthur is Pirates bay lookout, Dog line, Tasmanian Lavender Farm, Foundry Chocolate (see tour description above). You will arrive at Port Arthur at 12pm.

Departing Port Arthur at 4pm and heading directly back to Hobart having you dropped off at the Airport 5:10 pm or Hobart CBD at 5:30pm.

• To book a one way ticket, use promo code "ONEWAY"
• Entry fees are not included.
• This is a scheduled shuttle service. If you are late to your pickup point in either Hobart or Port Arthur the bus cannot wait. There will be no refunds for missed buses.
• If you would like to pre book tours at Port Arthur please go direct to Port Arthur Historic site, we do not sell site entry tickets unless you are a group booking of 6 or more. There are many tours and packages to choose from. Any tours booked must fit in with the 12pm arrival and the 4pm departure.
• Please indicate if you are carrying excess baggage.
• No tickets are sold at any of the stops. You MUST pre-purchase your ticket and select a pick up location. There are no sales at any of the stops.
• Please make sure you give yourself plenty of time to arrive at your pickup location.

Port Arthur Site entry costings:

• Adult - $47.00
• Concession - $38.00
• Child - $22.00
• Family - $115.00 (2 Adults and up to 6 children)

DEPARTURE TIMES

• 8:55 am - Quest Trinity House // 149 Brooker Highway, Queens Domain TAS - Wait on Brooker Hwy
• 9:05 am - Prince of Wales Hotel // 55 Hampden Road, Battery Point TAS - Wait on Hampden road
• 9:10 am - Hobart Travelodge // 167 Macquarie Street, Hobart TAS - Wait on Harrington St
• 9:15 am - Best Western Hobart // 156 Bathurst Street, Hobart TAS - Wait on Harrington St
• 9:20 am - St David’s Cathedral // 23 Murray Street, Hobart TAS – Wait on Murray Opposite Hadley’s Hotel
• 9:25 am - Hobart Information Centre // 16-20 Davey St, Hobart – Wait on the corner of Davey and Elizabeth
• 9:30 am - Old Woolstore // 1 Macquarie Street, Hobart - Wait outside on Macquarie St
• 9:45 am - Travelodge Hobart Airport // 1 Holyman Avenue, Cambridge - Wait outside main entrance

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• Plan My Visit
• Opening Hours
• Getting Here
• What to Bring
• Travelling with Kids
• Amenities and Accessibility
• Visitor Guides
• Eat + Drink
• Photography & Filming (drones)
• Explore the Region
• Tickets + Tours
• Planning your visit
• Site tours and activities
• Educational Resources
• History Timeline
• The Convicts
• The Landmarks
• Conservation

Port Arthur Entry

Your experience starts here

Every site entry ticket to Port Arthur Historic Site is valid for two consecutive days allowing you plenty of time explore and enjoy Port Arthur’s many sites, tours and activities including:

• entry to the Port Arthur Gallery, which includes interactive exhibits and displays that tell the story of the Port Arthur Historic Site and its people;
• a self-guided  Port Arthur Audio Experience ;
• a 20-minute Harbour Cruise;
• complimentary site talks  at key locations throughout the day;
• access to  more than 30 historic buildings , ruins, restored houses, heritage gardens and walking trails.

A courtesy shuttle service is available for people with restricted mobility (available between 10:30am and 3:30pm each day, with an extended service offered during summer).

SITE ENTRY TICKET PRICES

Adult $47 Child  $22 Concession $38

All ticket purchases are subject to our  Conditions of Ticket Purchase and Entry .

Proceeds from admission fees contribute to the ongoing conservation, interpretation and development of the Port Arthur Historic Sites.  Click here to learn more about how you can help.

Additional guided tours are available for anyone seeking a more in-depth look around the convict ruins and their stories with the Convict tour, Commandant’s tour, Escape from Port Arthur tour and the ever-popular Isle of the Dead.   Click here for more information about tickets and tours.

More of Our Tours

Keep your eyes and ears open

Shades of Port Arthur (90 minutes)

Join our guide as the light wanes and they share stories of ghostly stories in this 90-minute tour of the Commandant's House, Guard Tower and the old hospital.

The daring and the desperate

Escape from Port Arthur (60 minutes)

A 60-minute tour to meet the convicts who risked everything to Escape Port Arthur.

Exclusive behind the scenes tour

Wheel of Fate (4 hours)

A 4-hour VIP experience, delivering exclusive access to explore life in this infamous prison settlement and sample the region's amazing produce prepared by our chef. By arrangement only.

Our essential history

Convict Tour (45 minutes)

Our most accessible 45-minute guided tour providing the essential history and stories of the Port Arthur penal colony.

A Guide To The Port Arthur Historic Site, Tasmania

I f you’re looking for a destination of historical importance in Tasmania, then a visit to the Port Arthur Historic Site is one of the top things to do.

This historic town is located on the Tasman Peninsula and is known for being a 19th-century penal settlement, where the remains of the penitentiary are still there.

Today the small town is an open air museum giving tourists a chance to see a glimpse into Australia’s darker past.

I first visited Port Arthur on my Amazing Race Around Australia, but it was only for an hour, so I made sure to return to get the full experience of this unique heritage site.

In this guide, I have shared with you how to get there, what I learned, what I saw, and how you can make the most of your visit to the fascinating Port Arthur Historic Site.

Come prepared before visiting, get your entrance ticket to Port Arthur Historic Site here.

Take a Tour to Port Arthur

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The Port Arthur Historic Site is located a 90-minute drive from Hobart along the Tasman and Arthur Highway and forms part of the Convict Trail Touring Route – a journey through rolling farmland and coastal forests, and seaside villages.

If you need a rental car, click here for availability and prices from Hobart.

A public bus operates from Hobart to Port Arthur by Tassie Link . Don’t forget to book your entry ticket in advance.

The other option for getting to Port Arthur if you did not want to hire a car or get the bus, is to join an organized tour from Hobart. There are several options, with a few including other stops along the way. We’ve chosen these tours based on our travels in Tasmania and knowing the highlights. When you book with Get Your Guide, using the links below, you get free cancellation benefits up to 24 hours in advance.

• Full Day Tour to Port Arthur with Admission : This tour from Hobart includes a photo stop in Richmond, highlights from Tasman National Park, a guided walking tour of Port Arthur and a cruise around the Isle of the Dead. On Saturdays, in includes a visit to the Salamanca Market in Hobart! Click to learn more and see availability.
• Tasman Peninsula Tour, Cruise & Port Arthur Historic Site : Enjoy morning tea on the Tasman Peninsula. Climb aboard a custom-built boat for an unforgettable 3-hour wilderness cruise. Explore the spectacular coastline between Port Arthur and Eaglehawk Neck. Look for seals, migrating whales, seabirds, or even dolphins. At the end of your cruise, spend 3-hours at the Port Arthur Historic Site. Click to see availability and prices and to learn more !
• 2-Day Bruny Island and Port Arthur Experience : Discover two of Tasmania’s best tourist attractions. Uncover the natural beauty of Bruny Island on the first day. Historic Port Arthur penal colony and Tasman Peninsula sights on your second day. Click to learn more and see availability.

About Port Arthur

Port Arthur is one of Tasmania’s most fascinating UNESCO World Heritage Sites and was a former settlement used to house convicts and criminals for more than 50 years.

It became well known for its dark past in which prisoners lived under harsh conditions, contrasting with its remarkable architectural and natural beauty.

Surrounding the ruins are manicured gardens and lush forests, but it wasn’t always a pretty sight.

It was founded by the British Empire in 1830 as a humble timber station but quickly rose to fame as a colony for prisoners.

As well as being a prison, it was also a place of opportunity.

Port Arthur was a functioning town. It was known for its shipbuilding, brickmaking, shoemaking, and smithing industries. In the 1840s, they constructed a hospital and a huge flour mill and granary, which was later turned into a penitentiary.

Today, tourists can visit more than 30 historical buildings, including the “Separate Prison”, which was a model prison of 80 cells, where inmates were subjected to psychological punishment instead of physical reform.

Another notable part of the prison is the unconsecrated Church, as well as the Point Puer Boys’ Prison, which was separate from the main colony, and was where young offenders were kept between 1834 and 1849. Today, Point Puer can only be visited by guided tour.

For complete details on the Port Arthur experience visit the official website.

The Port Arthur Historic Site has a visitor’s centre where you will find facilities for visitors with reduced mobility. There is disabled parking opposite the Visitor Centre.

There is also a cafe, restaurant, gift shop, toilets, and an interpretation gallery that offers information about the site.

All tickets include access to the site for two consecutive days, plus entry to 30 historic buildings, and a 30-minute boat ride.

Port Arthur has a violent and troubled history as a penal colony for some of Australia’s hardened convicts, yet its pastoral beauty brings this contrasting sense of peace and happiness.

I sensed that a lot of love once lived amongst the sandstone buildings and vibrant gardens as well. Many free settlers lived in the area too.

I discovered I enjoyed the Port Arthur World Heritage Site just as much the second time as I did the first.

It’s possibly the best historical site I’ve been to in Australia.

It offers plenty of opportunities to learn the history and the stories of the people who once lived in the settlement. I learned it’s also a fantastic place to bring children.

Kalyra had a ball and learned so much about convicts and the history of her culture.

The Port Arthur entry ticket gives you 2-day access, and she was bursting to return the next day to learn more.

We raced back to the first exhibit so she could learn more about her convict. When you arrive at Port Arthur, you are given a playing card. When you first enter the museum, the story of 52 convicts is told.

You find the person that corresponds to your card and you follow their card through the ship to learn of their fate.

Coincidentally, Craig and I got the same named person. Kalyra spent the remainder of our time at Port Arthur asking about William, her little convict boy.

“Is this where my William slept Mummy?”

“But what about William, what did he do?”

I loved the connection this one simple interaction gave her to the experience and the story.

The next day, after she heard about the ghost tour Craig and I did the evening before, she was brave enough to venture into the parsonage house with me – known the be in the top 5 most haunted places in Australia.

I did not tell her that 60% of the 1,600 documented ghost sightings have occurred in the daylight. I’m not sure she would have been so keen to race through the house, the crumbling church walls, and the separate prison to hear more of the ghostly tales.

The separate prison was the eeriest place on the site and the one that made you realize just how cruel humans can be to one another.

I felt the anguish and the desperation seeping from the walls of those who once sat in the cells shut off from the sensory world to reflect upon their crimes to come out enlightened beings.

I guess you could call it that!

Ways To Explore the Port Arthur Historic Site

As an open-air museum, you can be sure there are plenty of ways to explore Port Arthur, Tasmania. Here are just a few ways you can make the most of your trip here.

If you want to explore the open-air museum by yourself without a guide, then you should opt for the Port Arthur Audio Experience , which allows you to explore at your own pace and listen to the history of each part you see.

This allows you the freedom to walk around at your leisure.

The guided walking tour of the Port Arthur site is conducted throughout the day and is part of the entry to the park. We highly suggest you jump on one of these.

It is a fantastic way to hear the history and the stories and form a deeper connection with the significance of the historical site. The guides are super informative and passionate about Port Arthur.

Some of the most popular tours are:

• The Escape from Port Arthur tour, which is like walking through a true crime adventure novel and tells of the cunning criminals who stayed here.
• Commandant’s Tour, which is a 90 minute tour of the Penitentiary, the Separate Prison, and the Convict Church. This tour would have been given to visitors of the prison when it was still running, and so is one of the most historic tours on the site.
• Convicts Tour, a short 45 minute introductory tour.
• After Dark Package Tour, which is a two-course meal on the grounds.
• Wheel of Fate tour, which is a history and food tour combo.

There are also complimentary site talks at various locations throughout the day, so be sure to check out the timetable to get your free history lesson.

You can either take a 30-minute harbour cruises at your leisure, or you can take the Isle of the Dead Cemetery tour which takes you to see the unmarked graves of the convicts and also includes the boat tour.

The boat takes you out into the harbour of Carnarvon Bay and past the Isle of the Dead where around 1000 bodies were buried, and Point Puer, which is where the young boys of the colony were kept.

You can pay extra to stop off with a guide to explore both places in a little more depth.

We have a separate post dedicated to the Port Arthur nightly ghost tour . I LOVED it. It was soooo much fun and well worth doing.

It’s the best ghost tour I have ever been on and I loved seeing Port Arthur lit up by the full moon and our guide’s lantern. Just knowing you are walking the grounds of the most haunted place in Australia is enough to get your “thrill o meter” shooting up.

It’s probably not for the young kids, though.

I was stoked to hear of the great programs they offer for the kids during the summer.

The children make their own peg doll or replica 1/4 size convict brick, learn about early animation by assembling a phantascope, or make convict love tokens.

Activities are offered in two sessions each day, 12–1.30pm and 2–3pm in the Education Centre.

Kalyra and Savannah were lucky enough to have the opportunity to make sandstone bricks like the ones made in the historic buildings. The clay was mixed with some of the convict sandstone buildings which made it a little bit more of a special souvenir.

Port Arthur Historic Site was one of the most eye-opening experiences in Tasmania and was certainly a highlight of our trip.

Be sure to visit the memorial garden, which remembers the 35 people who lost their lives on Sunday 28 April 1996 when a single gunman killed visitors, staff, and locals.

Visitors are asked not to discuss the massacre with locals out of respect.

Disclaimer: We visited as guests of Port Arthur Historical site, but all thoughts, ideas, and opinions in this guide are our own.

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