Educational Resources

What was Port Arthur used for? Why is it here? Who has been here, and why?

You’ll get so much more from your visit to the Port Arthur Historic Site if you do a little detective work before you arrive.

Take a look at our resources to find out about the convict era and the people who lived, worked, and served their prison sentences at Port Arthur – then come along and see for yourself where these stories really happened!

• Education Resource List
• Useful Facts about the Port Arthur Convict Era
• People of the Port Arthur Convict era
• Port Arthur Memorial Garden Brochure
• Port Arthur World Heritage Factsheet

If you would like to request any additional resources or information that you can’t find on our website, please contact the Education Officer

The Port Arthur Discovery Box is a fantastic way to give your students a first-hand experience of Port Arthur, without leaving the classroom. This resource includes two travelling boxes filled with authentic convict artefacts, photos, maps, books, information and a list of additional resources. A teaching pack is also included.
The Discovery Boxes are available to Tasmanian schools, and can be borrowed free of charge for 2–4 weeks. Bookings are essential. Boxes can be collected from the Cascades Female Factory Site in South Hobart.

Contact us for further information, or to book your Discovery Boxes now.

We offer a selection of unique learning experiences at the Port Arthur Historic Site that your students will treasure for life. From education tours to activities, many of our on-site experiences have accompanying classroom lessons to help you create the best learning experience for your students, before and after your visit to the Port Arthur Historic Site

• Primary Pre-Visit Lesson Plan
• Secondary Pre-Visit Lesson Plan
• Year Nine Education Program Guide

Students discuss briefly the nature of bricks from around the Port Arthur Historic Site and the variety of types. We will handle and look closely at original convict bricks and when students have gained a little knowledge about the processes involved they will have the chance to create their own brick to take home, complete with their thumbprints!

• Brick-Making-Teacher-Notes
• Brick-Making-Word-List

Pre-visit activity

• Brick-Making-Pre-Visit-Lesson-Plan
• Brick-Making-Pre-Visit-Activity-One
• Brick-Making-Pre-Visit-Activity-Two

Post-visit activity

• Brick-Making-Post-Visit-Lesson-Plan
• Brick-Making-Post-Visit-Activity-Three
• Brick-Making-Post-Visit-Activity-Four

Please send us your booking requests as early as possible, to ensure the availability of tours and activities.

Want to learn more?
To discuss how to get the most out of your visit to Port Arthur, contact our Education team.