Attractions in Port Arthur

Port Arthur attractions are about history and coastline: the convict-era ruins of a penal settlement, the harbour around the Isle of the Dead, and the sea cliffs, caves and arches of the Tasman Peninsula. Most can be reached on a day trip from Hobart. This page covers what is worth planning around, and the things to do in Port Arthur page holds the full run of tours and cruises.

Convict-era ruins and the Isle of the Dead

The historic site is the reason most people come. It preserves the ruins of a penal colony from the convict settlement era, and guided walking tours bring the history into focus: day tours from Hobart typically include a 40-minute guided tour of the site, with admission built into the ticket.

The harbour is part of the story. A cruise on Carnarvon Bay circles the Isle of the Dead, and some day tours add a guided walking tour on the island itself. Tours that combine the site with the harbour give a fuller picture than the ruins alone.

Sea cliffs, arches and caves on the Tasman Peninsula

The coast around Port Arthur is as much an attraction as the settlement. Tasman Arch and Devil's Kitchen are rock formations carved by centuries of wind and sea, Pirates Bay Lookout gives sweeping coastal views, and a 2km clifftop walk along Waterfall Bay, a 45 to 60-minute track, leads out to the rock features.

From the water, a 90-minute cruise to Cape Raoul leaves the Port Arthur Historic Site jetty for dolerite columns, hidden sea caves and seal-watching, and includes an entry ticket to the site. Further out, cruises such as the Tasman Island Cruises 3-hour cruise pass beneath the highest sea cliffs in the southern hemisphere in an open-air boat, with dolphins, fur seals and seasonal whales on the lookout list.

Richmond Village and the road south

Some peninsula tours also stop at Richmond Village, a historic village, and at Eaglehawk Neck, where guides tell the story of The Dogline and the convicts who tried to escape. These stops make the drive south part of the attraction, not just the way there.

Pairing Port Arthur with a Hobart sight

Some experiences listed on this page start in Hobart rather than Port Arthur. A tour such as the Hobart City Highlights Tour with MONA Entry & Ferry takes a ferry along the Derwent River to the Museum of Old and New Art, then a coach tour past Salamanca Place and Battery Point, which makes a city day to balance a peninsula day.

Choosing which Port Arthur attractions to fit in

Start with what you want from the day. For history, a guided site tour with the harbour cruise covers the essentials. For scenery, a peninsula tour with the Waterfall Bay walk or a cruise from the jetty puts the coastline first, and the Port Arthur tours page sorts the guided days by what each one includes.

Allow for travel time. Day tours from Hobart run as 8 to 11-hour days, while a cruise from the jetty is a shorter outing if you are already in Port Arthur. Warm layers, a hat and sturdy closed shoes suit any of these days, and the cruises supply or recommend weather gear.

Frequently asked questions

What are the main attractions in Port Arthur?

The main attractions in Port Arthur are Port Arthur Historic Site and its convict-era ruins, the Isle of the Dead in Carnarvon Bay, and the sea cliffs, arches and caves of the Tasman Peninsula, including Tasman Arch, Devil's Kitchen and Cape Raoul.

What can you see at Port Arthur Historic Site?

Port Arthur Historic Site shows the ruins of a penal colony from the convict settlement era in Tasmania. Day tours from Hobart include a 40-minute guided tour of the site and a harbour cruise around the Isle of the Dead.

How long do you need to see the Port Arthur attractions?

Allow a full day. Port Arthur tours from Hobart run as 8 to 11-hour days including the coach trip, and a cruise from the Port Arthur jetty adds a 90-minute outing if you are driving yourself.

Can you see Port Arthur attractions from the water?

Yes. Cruises around Carnarvon Bay pass the Isle of the Dead, the Cape Raoul cruise from the Port Arthur Historic Site jetty reaches dolerite columns and sea caves, and the Tasman Island cruise passes beneath the highest sea cliffs in the southern hemisphere.

Are Port Arthur attractions suitable for kids?

Many are. Child tickets for ages 4 to 14 are sold on the Port Arthur day tours from Hobart, and the Tasman Island cruise has child, infant and family tickets, with seals, dolphins and seabirds to look out for on the water.

Port Arthur attractions reward some planning, and the guided tours from Hobart are the quickest way to cover the history and the coastline in one trip.