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Historic site · Port Arthur, Tasmania
Port Arthur Historic Site
Ruins and restored buildings of the penal colony that operated from 1830 to 1877 on the Tasman Peninsula, a World Heritage Site, with a boat tour of the bay and guided visits.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Discover
About Port Arthur Historic Site
Port Arthur began in 1830 as a timber-cutting camp and became, in the following decades, Tasmania’s main penal colony. It housed convicts who committed new offences after arriving in Australia, and it operated until 1877.
The site brings together more than thirty buildings, ruins and gardens around a bay. The largest is the former penitentiary, built of brick and sandstone. There is also the church, the hospital, officers’ houses and the Separate Prison, where prisoners were kept isolated and silent.
Admission includes a guided walk and a boat tour of the bay, passing the Isle of the Dead, the colony cemetery, and Point Puer, where the convicted boys were held. At night there are guided lantern tours, charged separately.
In 2010 the site was inscribed as a World Heritage Site, together with ten other places in the country, as part of the Australian Convict Sites. Entry is paid; check the current prices and what each ticket includes.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
From 4 hours to a full day.
Best time
Arrive in the morning to have time for the buildings and the boat. The evening visit takes place at early night.
How to get there
By car, about 95 km from Hobart via the Arthur Highway, or on an organized tour.
Tip
Tickets usually are valid for two consecutive days: you can split the visit if you stay overnight on the peninsula.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Port Arthur Historic Site
Until when did the Port Arthur penal colony operate?
From 1830 to 1877.
Does the Port Arthur ticket include the boat?
Generally it includes the guided walk and the boat tour of the bay; check what each ticket includes.
Is there a night visit at Port Arthur?
Yes, guided lantern tours, charged separately.