Location:

The Port Arthur Historic Site is located on the Tasman Peninsula in south-east Tasmania, just over an hour’s drive from Hobart. This UNESCO World Heritage–listed site is one of Australia’s most significant convict-era locations, set among dramatic coastal scenery, gardens, and well-preserved ruins. Visitors can explore the grounds on foot, by guided tour, or via a harbour cruise included with entry.

Top 3 things to do at Port Arthur:

• Explore the Main Historic Site – Wander through more than 30 buildings, ruins, and restored homes, including the Penitentiary, the Separate Prison, and the solitary confinement cells.

• Harbour Cruise to the Isle of the Dead – Learn about the stories of convicts, soldiers, and free settlers who were laid to rest on this small, atmospheric island. Tickets for the ferry are included in the entry ticket.

• Point Puer Boys’ Prison Tour – Discover the world’s first juvenile reformatory, where young boys as young as nine were imprisoned and trained in trades.

Dogs allowed:

No, dogs are not permitted at the Port Arthur Historic Site.

Entry fees:

Entry to the Port Arthur Historic Site costs A$53 for adults, A$41 for concessions, and A$26 for children aged 7–17, while infants under 7 enter for free. Families of two adults and up to six children can purchase a ticket for A$127. The standard entry includes a 2-day pass to the site, access to over 30 historic buildings, ruins, and gardens, a 20-minute harbour cruise, self-guided audio experiences, and complimentary site talks. Optional add-on tours, ticketed separately, include the Essentials Tour, Premium Guided Tour, Escape from Port Arthur Tour, Isle of the Dead Cemetery Tour, and a lantern-lit Ghost Tour, with prices ranging from A$5 to A$35 per person depending on age and tour. Visitors can also purchase a Two-Year Pass, known as the “Ticket of Leave,” which allows unlimited re-entry to both Port Arthur and the Cascades Female Factory Historic Site for two years, costing A$20 for adults or A$40 for families. Dogs are not permitted on site, and concession tickets require a valid card. Refunds are available if tickets are cancelled at least 48 hours in advance, though a 25% administration fee applies.

More information:

Port Arthur is one of the most powerful places to visit in Tasmania. The combination of preserved ruins, tranquil gardens, and its dramatic convict history creates an experience that’s both beautiful and deeply reflective. Interpretive signs, guided tours, and audio experiences share the real stories of the people who lived, worked, and suffered here.

Set on a sweeping harbour, the site blends haunting history with stunning natural scenery. You’ll likely spot wallabies on the lawns and seabirds along the shoreline as you explore. Evening ghost tours add an extra atmospheric layer for those wanting a different perspective.

Whether you’re a history lover, photographer, or simply curious about Australia’s past, Port Arthur offers a memorable and moving journey into one of the country’s most significant heritage landscapes.