Port Arthur Historic Site [official]
Overview
Available languages
Mobile ticket
The Port Arthur Historic Site offers a compelling glimpse into Australia's convict past, focusing on the penal settlement, convict labour, and the profound influence on the nation's development and colonial life. As a place or secondary-punishment, Port Arthur was specifically designed as a prison for re-offending male convicts.
VITAL INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED IN PRODUCT DESCRIPTION:
Additional tours can be selected to be included in your ticket:
The 45 min Essentials Tour is our most accessible guided tour providing the essential history and stories of Port Arthur.
The 90 min Premium Tour delves deeper into the stories behind our iconic buildings and their fascinating past on this small group guided walk.
For the 40 min Isle of the Dead tour, step off the harbour cruise for a guided walking tour around the final resting place for over 1,000 convicts, soldiers, and free settlers.
On the 60 min Escapes tour, hear tales of the desperate convicts,
determined to escape.
Additional Info
Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
Children must be accompanied by an adult
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Port Arthur Historic Site
The UNESCO World Heritage-listed Port Arthur Historic Site, located 90 minutes’ drive southeast of Hobart, brings Australia’s early convict history to life. The Port Arthur Historic Site covers 100 acres of gardens and grounds, with more than 30 historic buildings and ruins to explore. All entry passes are valid for two consecutive days and include a harbour cruise, a self-guided audio experience and complimentary site talks throughout the day.
What‘s Included
Tours, as selected in options
Self-guided audio experience
Map of the site
Access to the World Heritage Site, gardens, historic buildings, and ruins for 2 consecutive days
20-minute harbour cruise
Talks by expert guides, at iconic buildings, throughout the day
Options
The Essentials (morning)
Tour at 10:30, Cruise at 12:20: Grab the basics with the Port Arthur Essentials Tour at 10:30am, with a harbour cruise at 12:20pm. See listing for details.
General Admission (afternoon)
Cruise at 3:40pm: Visit in the afternoon with a harbour cruise at 3:40pm.
Escape from Port Arthur
Tour at 11am, Cruise at 1pm: Meet cunning characters on the Escape From Port Arthur tour at 11am, with a harbour cruise at 1pm. See listing for details.
The Essentials (afternoon)
Tour at 12:30, Cruise at 2:20: Grab the basics with the Port Arthur Essentials Tour at 12:30pm, with a harbour cruise at 2:20pm. See listing for details.
Premium + Isle of the Dead
Tour at 12, Cruise/Tour at 3pm: Pair your Premium Tour at 12pm with the Isle of the Dead tour attached to the cruise at 3pm. See listing for details.
General Admission (morning)
Cruise at 11am: Visit in the morning with a harbour cruise at 11am.
The Premium Tour
Tour at 1:30, Cruise at 3:40: Delve deeper with The Port Arthur Premium Tour at 1:30pm, with a harbour cruise at 3:40pm. See listing for details.
Premium + Escape
Tours 12pm + 3pm, Cruise 2:20: Pair your Premium Tour at 12pm with tales of Escapes at 3pm, and harbour cruise at 2:20pm. See listing for details.
Isle of the Dead
Cruise/Tour at 1pm: Your harbour cruise at 1pm will stop at the Isle of the Dead for your tour of the island cemetery. See listing for details.
Reviews
292 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Disappointed and underwhelmed
Adventure802365,,Feb 14, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
2.00half the buildings are not accessible with little to know information, almost felt like I was walking around like a headless chook. Trying to navigate myself around even with a map of the place. Lots of buildings but it is very hard to connect with the buildings when there is no information to go off. Just random blue prints of building and random convicts scattered everywhere with no relation to that place they were. Pricing is way to expensive for basically a town that you have to show yourself around, especially with the amount of walking that is required. Though we had all day to explore, looking at buildings that are barely accessible with no information can get tedious very quickly. I couldn’t tell ya how the staff members were because well there was basically none other than in the main entry and cafes. There was barely anyone to help us around the site and the staff members I did see were uninterested and walked straight past with not even as little as a hello. It’s a great place if you like to look at old stuff but if you have come to learn about the lively hood, what the buildings were used for and anything to do with the history of the convicts and the site I wouldn’t waste your money.
Great experience to share with visitors. The beautiful surrounds are just the beginning, it’s a real gem!
Francine D,,Feb 8, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00From the stunning location, to the well organised facility to the amazing staff…this is a must do for visitors! Thank you to Natasha for helping with the wheelchair, the shuttle drivers were generously kind and timely given the turn in the weather. Great experience all round!
Must see historical attraction
Peter K,,Feb 5, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Very important and interesting historical site, with good explanation throughout. The harbour cruise is definitely worth taking as well.
Well worth visiting
Adventurers049,,Feb 3, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Every though one associates Port Arthur with misery and hardship, it's a very tranquil place these days. Includes in your entry fee is a boat trip in the bay.
Historical journey
Jason Sophie,,Jan 27, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00What an amazing place of history. And at the same time a very sad place. Lots to see here and a valuable lesson in history. Walk in the footsteps of soldiers and convicts and see how they lived. It is a very interesting place. I highly recommend a visit to Port Arthur Historic site.
Absolutely for History Lovers
AraleMelbourne,,Jan 25, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Let's face it, no one should visit Hobart without stopping by Port Arthur, especially if you have not been there before. This is not the first time we have visited but there has been significant upgrade since we last visited. A lot of stories of convicts, commanders, workers alike which make the reality of the history of its place come alive. Included in your entry ticket is a cruise which goes to the Isle of Dead and back again with vivid and interesting commentary on board. The rest of the heritage site can be enjoyed by yourself as they have an audio that you can listen to on your phone while you walk around. It is truly a place full of stories that you would not want to miss. We spent about 4 hours there. We are contemplating going back tomorrow as the entry ticket allows you to spend 2 consecutive days there.
Definitely start with the “Experience Tour”
AussieSpanglish,,Jan 25, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We did the experience tour tonight set us up for our visit to Port Arthur with Tony. He was excellent. We were a large group of 40+ and he managed our group beautifully and shared a great general knowledge of the history. Later in the afternoon we caught up with him again and he was happy to share more information and also some local restaurant recommendations. The boat cruise was a fabulous way to end our trek around Port Arthur and we are back tonight to do the Ghost tour.
Port Arthur essentials tour
theresasF4872PW,,Jan 21, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00A great day out. A beautiful location with a sad history. A full day is needed to discover all there is to see. The boat ride and tour guides were very informative. The walk up to the lookout was worth it. Well maintained grounds and a must see for visits to Tasmania
Nice family day out
Flordeliza J,,Jan 13, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Our tour guide was very informative both on the Port Arthur Site and the Isle of Dead site. Nice day out for the family.
First Visit at Port Arthur
Kristy M,,Jan 12, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00The whole experience was fantastic. The history was interesting but had an eeriness about it. The memorial for the victims of the shooting in 1996 was beautifully thought out and done.
Related Experiences
Operated by Port Arthur Historic Sites