State Government
Port Arthur Historic Site Management Authority - Port Arthur Historic Site
Currently open
8:30 am - 9:30 pm
Port Arthur Historic Site Management Authority - Port Arthur Historic Site
The Port Arthur Historic Site, located in the south-east of Tasmania on the Tasman Peninsula, is a place to discover amazing stories and epic history.The Port Arthur Historic Site, located in the south-east of Tasmania on the Tasman Peninsula, is one of the most important cultural heritage sites in Australia and the world. It offers extraordinary experiences and activities related to our heritage.
Port Arthur was a key part of the colonial system of convict discipline. Remote, harsh, with no chance of escape, this was the perfect destination for hardened, repeat offenders.
But Port Arthur was much more than a prison.
As you walk within the Site, the powerful, personal stories of convicts, soldiers, free settlers and their families will reveal themselves to you. Port Arthur's tale is told in many ways. It will stay with you long after you have departed.
Port Arthur is a place that every Australian, and all international visitors with a wish to understand more of Australia and Australians, should visit.
These pages offer details about what you can see and do when you do make the journey, so that your experience will be memorable, meaningful and enjoyable.
Visitors are encouraged to discover that history and the many stories of the place. They can interact with the Site in a range of ways, through a variety of innovative interpretive techniques, ranging from guided tours, furnished houses, museum displays, a convict study centre, interpretation gallery, as well as our new high-tech audio installation at the Dockyard.
The Port Arthur Historic Site is a wonderful place to explore, with more than thirty historic buildings, ruins and restored gardens are spread about the 40 hectare site, in a parkland setting with avenues of European trees set amid wild and beautiful scenery and native forest.
The Site offers excellent visitor services, including cafes, a gift shop, transport for those with limited mobility, restrooms, museum, interpretation gallery and a visitor information centre. Every visitor receives a 36 page colour guide book (available in English, Chinese, Japanese, French or ...read more
Contact details
Brands
- Port Arthur Historic Sites
- incorporating the Port Arthur and Coal Mines Historic Sites Port Arthur Ghost Tours Port Arthur Historic Site Felons Bistro Museum Coffee Shop Port Cafe Coal Mines Historic Site Isle of the Dead Point Puer
Such a great historical site with so much history! My family and I wandered around for hours. Making the most of the guided tours throughout the site on both land and sea. The information is available very readily online and also when purchasing tickets. Upon leaving the site I also noticed they ran ghost tours in the evening for a very reasonable price. After hearing about the sites grizzly history throughout time how can I say no to ghost hunting? So my mum and I put on our adventure boots and off we went into the night. It was such an eerie experience and would suggest anyone who wants to do some spook spotting to take up this awesome tour. Weather its modern history or dating back to the convicts or if you even want to find yourself a spook this is a site to be seen.
New renovations are commendable! The broad arrow cafe memorial & peace gardens are a fitting dedication to the victims, & to living life to the fullest. (A place where you are inspired to think of those beautiful friends who make your life so worth while!) The new visitors centre is interesting & interactive. I was assigned the role as an absconder, strongly support by my new peers, born out of adversity. Visitors get the opportunity to play out such a character during their stay. Something parents visiting Tas should allow their children to experience. Entry ticket included a cruise & day tour of the site. The Ghost Tour was an experience not to be missed. (The lighting on the church after dark is spectacular). In the evening, the restaurant is open between closing time & night tours. We however had a very little one with us, so took advantage of the e-entry facility. Do allow a full day!
