Your site entry ticket gives you two consecutive days to explore and enjoy Port Arthur Historic Site’s many tours and activities including:

• entry to the Port Arthur Gallery, which includes interactive exhibits and displays that tell the story of the Port Arthur Historic Site and its people
• a self-guided Port Arthur Audio Experience
• a 20-minute Harbour Cruise
• complimentary site talks at key locations throughout the day
• access to more than 30 historic buildings, ruins, restored houses, heritage gardens and walking trails

A courtesy shuttle service is available for people with restricted mobility (available between 10:30am and 3:30pm each day, with an extended service offered during summer).

Additional guided tours are available for anyone seeking a more in-depth look around the convict ruins and their stories with the Port Arthur Essentials tour, the Port Arthur Premium tour, Escape from Port Arthur tour and the ever-popular Isle of the Dead cemetery tour.

Ticket of Leave

Upgrade your visit with a Ticket of Leave 2-year pass.  Ticket of Leave 2-year passes can be added to your purchase at the ticketing counter when you arrive and will be valid for free entry to the Port Arthur Historic Site and the Cascades Female Factory as many times as you like for two years.

Adult: $20
Family: $40

The Port Arthur Historic Site is open everyday from 9:00am until 5:00pm (closed Christmas Day).

Port Arthur Historic Site is located on a beautiful harbour at the southern tip of turrakana/Tasman Peninsula, almost 100 km south-east of Hobart.

By car

Port Arthur Historic Site is a 90-minute drive from nipaluna/Hobart, and the journey offers some of the best sightseeing in lutruwita/Tasmania.  The Arthur Highway winds through lush farmland and forest, inviting beaches and turrakana/Tasman Peninsula’s famously scenic coastline.  Allow enough time to stop along the way and explore places like the Tesselated Pavement at Eaglehawk Neck, and dramatic geological features such as the Blowhole, Tasman Arch and Devil’s Kitchen.

If you arrive from the Spirit of Tasmania with your vehicle from the mainland, you can choose different routes from the Devonport Terminal to drive down to Port Arthur. No matter if you choose the Great Eastern Drive or the Midland Highway, there are plenty of activities, natural scenery and great locally produced food to fit into your 4 to 5 hour journey.

Free parking is provided; however, during peak periods our carpark does fill up quickly.  We recommend you arrive early if you wish to secure a parking bay close to the entrance.  There are dedicated spaces for caravans, motor homes and buses.

Driving tips

Fill your car with fuel before you begin your journey.  Most service stations on the Peninsula close before 6:00pm. The closest petrol station to Port Arthur Historic Site is less than a km away however hours do vary throughout the year.

There are electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at selected locations between Hobart and the Tasman Peninsula, including Tesla destination chargers (open for all EVs) at the Lufra hotel at Eaglehawk Neck and McHenry Distillery at Port Arthur.  Click here for map and details.

Check hire car restrictions.  Some car rental companies have limitations on where you can drive.  The Arthur Highway is a sealed road, but many smaller roads on the turrakana/Tasman Peninsula are unsealed or rough, so check your route, and your hire agreement, before you begin.

Watch for wildlife.  Native wildlife is abundant on turrakana/Tasman Peninsula, and most marsupial species are active at dawn and dusk. Take special care when driving at these times, when wildlife is often encountered along the roadside.

Need more information? Check the Discover Tasmania website for tips on self-drive touring, places to visit, and hire car information in Tasmania.

By coach

There are regular transport services between nipaluna/Hobart and Port Arthur.  A number of operators also offer tours in the Port Arthur region.  For more information check the Discover Tasmania website or contact us.

A few simple preparations before you visit will make sure your time at Port Arthur Historic Site is the best it can be.

We only accept card payments, so please be prepared by purchasing your tickets online before you arrive and have a credit or debit card available for food, beverages and gift purchases.

Port Arthur Historic Site covers more than 40 hectares (100 acres) of open land.  While you will explore a number of intact buildings during your visit, many of our historic ruins are without roofs, and most of your visit will be spent outdoors.

Our coastal location means we can experience sudden weather changes, so make sure you’re prepared for sun, rain, wind, cold and warmth!

• Dress in comfortable, layered clothing
• Bring a raincoat (umbrellas are of limited use in the wind!)
• Wear comfortable shoes, suitable for walking
• Pack sunscreen and a hat
• Check the weather forecast before your visit and dress for the conditions

All our tours take place in the open air, and are rarely cancelled because of the weather. While our guides will make you as comfortable as possible in all conditions, some locations, such the Isle of the Dead and Point Puer Boys Prison, have limited shelter, and so the right clothing and weather protection will help make your experience much more enjoyable.

Sunscreen, hats and wet-weather ponchos can also be purchased in our Gift Shop.

Parents of very young children are encouraged to pack a pram, as exploring the Site’s wide-open spaces can be very tiring for youngsters. Prams are also available for hire at the Visitor Centre.

Mobility

The Port Arthur Historic Site is extensive, and covers a range of terrain. Some areas offer independent wheelchair access, while others may require assisted access.

Our Visitor Centre, café, 1830 Restaurant & Bar and the Port Arthur Gallery are all wheelchair accessible via ramps or elevator. Accessible bathroom facilities are also available within the Visitor Centre.

While not all heritage buildings and ruins on the site are wheelchair accessible, a number of buildings can be accessed by visitors who require the use of a wheelchair. Check with our Visitor Services staff for more information.

The Port Arthur Essentials Tour and Harbour Cruise are both wheelchair accessible.  The Isle of the Dead Cemetery Tour includes walkways with relatively steep gradients up to 1:8.  Assistance is recommended for people with a physical limitation that wish to take this tour.

Disabled parking spaces are located adjacent to the Visitor Centre entrance.

Courtesy vehicles

Between 10:30am and 3:30pm daily, our courtesy buggies provide a regular drop-off and pick-up service around the site for visitors with limited mobility. Check at the Visitor Centre for more information.

Companion Card

Some people with a disability are accompanied by a companion or carer when they visit venues or events. Port Arthur Historic Site is proud to be affiliated with the Companion Card Program, which offers a second ticket or tour pass at no cost to patrons holding a Companion Card.

Card Payments Preferred

Port Arthur prefers that transactions are carried out via credit or debit card (rather than cash payments), with many terminals configured to be card-only.  This ensures faster, more-efficient service for you, our customers, and assists us in maintaining a safe environment for everyone.

Smoking

Port Arthur Historic Site has been a smoke-free site since 2011.  There are smoking areas provided outside the Visitor Centre accessible to visitors before they enter the site.

Currently our tours are conducted only in English.
Printed visitor guides are available from the Visitor Centre Gallery on arrival.

Port Arthur Historic Site is proud to have achieved China Ready and Accredited status.

Port Arthur Historic Site offers dining options to suit everyone – from quick and delicious sandwiches made fresh in our cafe, to the tempting local regional menu in 1830 Restaurant & Bar.  Gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan, halal and other dietary options are available upon request.

Port Arthur Café

Our café on the upper level of the Visitor Centre, offers you a range of options to satisfy your appetite during your visit. Enjoy freshly brewed coffee and sweet treats, thirst-quenching cold drinks, beers, wines and fresh food made in-house using local ingredients. If you’re in a hurry to explore, pick up a pack of tasty sandwiches for a picnic in the garden; or if it’s time for a reviving break, choose something cooked to order in our kitchens and relax inside or on our deck as you soak up views of the site.

Port Arthur Café is open daily from 9:00am – 5:00pm.

1830 Restaurant & Bar

With sweeping views of the Penitentiary, gardens and grounds, 1830 Restaurant & Bar is a perfect place to enjoy a long, relaxed meal with friends. Our menu uses fresh seasonal produce sourced from local growers and producers, and you can choose your favourite from our range of fine Tasmanian wines, craft beers, whiskies and spirits.

Join us Wednesday to Sunday, where we open our doors at 3:00pm for drinks and reservations for dinner from 5:00pm.

Our gift shop is located inside the Visitor Centre, just across from the ticketing desk, and is open 10am – 5pm.

Make sure to leave a little retail therapy time before or after you explore the site, and take something home to remember your Port Arthur experience. Choose from our range of quality Tasmanian products, gifts and souvenirs, postcards, books, clothing, jewellery and artwork.

Any commercial production requires written approval and is subject to PAHSMA’s Filming and Photography Guidelines, which are incorporated in the application form.  A commercial production refers to photographs or recordings undertaken professionally or for a financial consideration, either on consignment for another party, or with a view to selling or hiring the imagery obtained, or for promotion of a product or service. This permission must be obtained prior to any photography or filming taking place.  Click here to download the application form or for more information, please contact us.

The use of Remotely-Piloted Aircraft (UAV or ‘drones’)

For the safety and preservation of our heritage buildings, wildlife and guests recreational use of an RPA is NOT permitted at the Port Arthur Historic Site.

The commercial use of an RPA may be considered with the provision of evidence of Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) operator’s certificate (ReOC or the former UOC); and the pilot must hold a remote pilot licence (RePL or the former UAV controller). This requirement applies to all categories of RPA including very small RPA (sub- 2kg category).  Anyone with this licences wishing to film will also need to present a current Public Liability insurance certificate and complete the Filming and Photography Application form at least 10 business days prior to filming.

Please refer to CASA regulations for any RPA’s used within the vicinity of Port Arthur Historic Site including Point Puer and Garden Point. https://www.casa.gov.au/drones/rules 

turrakana/Tasman Peninsula was an ideal place to build a prison.  Deep, cold ocean, thick forest and 300-metre high sea cliffs made Port Arthur a natural prison from which escape must have seemed impossible.

Today Port Arthur and turrakana/Tasman Peninsula is one of Tasmania’s most beautiful and sought after holiday destinations.

Sightseeing

turrakana/Tasman Peninsula offers a huge variety of sightseeing options.  Visit the World Heritage-listed Coal Mines Historic Site along the Convict Trail for further insight into the area’s convict past.  Explore the Tasman National Park, embark upon the Three Capes Track, or choose a short coastal walk to see Australia’s highest sea cliffs and natural rock formations like Remarkable Cave, The Devil’s Kitchen, the Tessellated Pavement and Tasman Arch.  Join a wildlife cruise for a different perspective and encounter wonderful marine life, or visit our local producers to taste delicacies ranging from artisan gin, whisky and vodka to lavender ice cream and honey farms.

There is certainly a lot to take in and explore, which is why Port Arthur site entry tickets are valid for two consecutive days. There are plenty of accommodation choices close by – from charming, convict-era cottages to caravan parks, stargazing tents to private beach retreats and spa cabins.

For more information about where to stay and what to do around the region visit Tasman Unlocked or go to Discover Tasmania. 

Port Arthur was selected as a location for a colony in the 19th century due to it’s naturally deep and sheltered harbour.  This makes it a perfect place for modern vessels to anchor and explore.  Ships of various sizes will visit this season – most arriving in the early morning, with passengers returning back to the ship around midday.

Click here to view the full schedule of ship arrivals at Port Arthur this year.

Have a question?  Want to know more?  We have a full list of our frequently asked questions to help.  If you can’t find the answer to your question, please contact us to assist further.