Site tours and activities

A school visit to Port Arthur Historic Site is an enriching learning experience. Come for the day, or stay in Port Arthur overnight so you can experience all that the site, and incredible Tasman Peninsula, has to offer.

Please note: We require 6 weeks’ notice for all school bookings.

Choose from either of these options for your school group.

SELF-GUIDED SCHOOL VISIT

$11.50 per student
Teachers and Adult Supervisors – complimentary
We require a minimum teacher: student ratio of 1:10

Grab a map, download copies of our Scavenger Hunt, and explore the building, ruins, site and stories of Port Arthur with your students.

A self-guided school visit will include our famous harbour cruise. The cruise is 20 minutes, and is an optional addition to your self-guided experience.

The harbour cruise departs from the Port Arthur jetty at: 11am, 12.20pm, 1pm, 1.40pm, 2.20pm, 3pm or 3.40pm. Departure times are seasonally dependent.

Please indicate your preferred harbour cruise time when booking, and our reservations team will do their best to accommodate your school group.

OR

CONVICT TOUR FOR SCHOOLS

$15 per student
Teachers and Adult Supervisors – complimentary.
We require a minimum teacher: student ratios of 1:10.

Students will meet with one of our experienced tour guides to learn more about convict life and the Port Arthur penal settlement. Students will visit several locations with their guide, and be asked to consider whether Port Arthur was a place of punishment, reform, or both?

This is an interactive tour, perfect for student inquiry.

Tour runs for 45 minutes.

Tours run during the school term=, weekdays only, at 9.30am, 10.30am, 11.30am,, 12.30pm, 1.30pm, 2.30pm or 3.30pm.

The ticket price indicates an optional harbour cruise. The harbour cruise departs from the Port Arthur jetty at: 11am,12.20pm, 1pm, 1.40pm, 2.20pm, 3pm or 3.40pm.

Please indicate your preferred guided tour and harbour cruise times when booking, and our reservations team will do their best to accommodate your school group.

Choose add-on activities and tours to deepen student engagement.

Keep in mind, Port Arthur is a big place and there is a lot to see. Take care not to overfill the day. Leave some time for students to explore and enjoy the site!

CONVICT BRICKMAKING

$5.50 per student
Teachers and Adult Supervisors – complimentary

Duration: 35 minutes
Suitability: Primary School students only
Maximum Capacity: 20 students per session

In this hands-on, immersive activity, students will learn how convicts were put to work to make many, many bricks. Bricks we still see today! What were the different jobs they had to do? How did they work together … or not? Students will examine some convict-made bricks, and then make their very own (quarter-size version) to take home.

ISLE OF THE DEAD

$8.50 per student
Teachers and Adult Supervisors – complimentary

Duration: 60 minutes (includes harbour cruise)
Suitability: Year 5 – 12
Maximum Capacity: 40 students (split into two groups for the tour)

The Isle of the Dead is a tiny, cemetery island. It was a cemetery for convicts, soldiers, civilians and children from 1833 to 1877. At least 1,100 people were buried here.

On this guided tour students will hear unique stories of the people who lived and worked and died at Port Arthur.

POINT PUER BOYS’ PRISON

$15 per student
Teachers and Adult Supervisors – complimentary

Duration: 2 hours (includes harbour cruise)
Suitability: Secondary School students only
Maximum Capacity: 30 Students

The Point Puer Bous’s Prison was the first separate boys’ prison in the British Empire, and was known for its stern discipline and harsh punishment. Three thousand boys were imprisoned here between 1834 and 1849 – some as young as nine years old. This guided tour will introduce students to the stories of the prison and the boys who served time here.

Point Puer is an archaeological site – there are no buildings on site, and very little remains of the ruins left behind. An expert tour guide will share stories, facts and detail, but students will need to use their imaginations to bring the site to life!

Please note:

• There is no shelter or toilet facilities at Point Puer
• Weather conditions can be extreme
• Students will need to walk some distance on uneven terrain. This tour is not recommended for people with restricted mobility
• Participants must be suitably dressed and equipped for walking (and weather conditions)

The Point Puer Boys’ Prison Tour is not available during Winter.

Check out the Planning Your Visit and Educational Resources pages for advice and pre-visit lesson plans.

Decided to come to Port Arthur? Please send us your 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.