port arthur tours reviews

Tasmania Explorer

Top 8 Port Arthur Tours – Best Port Arthur Tours From Hobart

One of the most popular things to do from Hobart is a Port Arthur day trip, and there are plenty of Port Arthur guided tours available.

The main event of a Port Arthur day tour is the Port Arthur Historic Site, the infamous convict settlement and one of the best preserved historical sites in Australia. But there are plenty of other sites, ranging from interesting to incredibly scenic that this area offers visitors.

Best Tour to Port Arthur

Don’t have time to read the whole article? The best choice is the fantastic Port Arthur Day Tour with Harbour Cruise and Tasman National Park.

Click here to book it now >>

Which Port Arthur Tasmania tour is best for you will depend on how much time you have and how much further afield you’d like to explore.

Below we have listed the top Port Arthur day trips. Whether you have half a day for a shore excursion or a full two days to explore the area, there is an option to suit you!

Click here to download your free Tasmania Road Trip Planner checklist . We’ll help you get ready for your trip!

Top 3 Tours: Best Port Arthur Tours

Want to book the best option without reading full reviews? Book one of our top 3 picks below…

Port Arthur Day Tour with Harbour Cruise and Tasman National Park

✔️ Concentrates on Port Arthur Historic Site

✔️ Best reviewed

Port Arthur, Richmond & Tasman Peninsula Day Tour

✔️ See as much as possible in one day

✔️ Explore Richmond as well

Port Arthur Day Tour with Carnarvon Bay Cruise

✔️ Concentrates on Port Arthur and Tasman Peninsula

Compare All The Best Port Arthur Tour Options

The table below compares all the following Port Arthur tours to help you make the best choice for your budget, style and preferences. The first five are all Port Arthur tour from Hobart options.

Here’s a quick overview if you are looking for a specific type of tour…

Top 5 Hobart To Port Arthur Tours

Port arthur, richmond and tasman peninsula day tour.

If you want to pack as much as possible into one day, this may be the best one of the Port Arthur day tours for you.

This tour starts early with hotel pick up in Hobart between 7am and 7:30am, and stops at some of the most scenic spots on the Tasman Peninsula on the way to Port Arthur. This includes the Tasman Arch and Devils Kitchen in Eaglehawk Neck, and includes a 2km cliff top walk from Paterson’s Arch to Waterfall Bay.

You’ll then head to Port Arthur Historic Site where you’ll have 4 hours to explore. This is plenty of time to examine the ruins, buildings and gardens. Included is a 40 minute walking tour and harbour cruise which is standard in a Port Arthur visit.

If 4 hours is too long for you, there is also an optional extra to visit the Tasmanian Devil Unzoo or Port Arthur Lavender Farm.

On the way back to Hobart, this tour stops at the historic village of Richmond where you can walk the streets and cross Australia’s oldest stone span bridge.

The tour stops at a local lookout point for scenic views over Hobart before dropping you back at your hotel around 6pm.

Lunch/dinner is not included in this tour but there are places to buy lunch along the way, or you could bring your lunch with you.

This is a full day and is great for people who have limited time to explore Port Arthur and the surrounding area, and want to fit as much in as possible.

Click here for more information.

If you’re looking for one of the more relaxed day tours from Hobart to Port Arthur, this Hobart to Port Arthur tour could be a good option.

This Port Arthur day tour from Hobart includes hotel transfers with pick up around 8:45am. The tour first takes you to some of the top attractions on the Tasman Peninsula including Devils Kitchen and the Tasman Arch. It’s also possible to do an optional tour of Remarkable Cave.

Next, you’ll visit Port Arthur Historic Site. The tour price includes entry to Port Arthur Historic Site, a 40 minute guided tour of the site as well as a cruise around Carnarvon Bay. You can then do a Port Arthur self guided tour around the site enjoying all that it has to offer.

The bus ride includes commentary along the way and offers free WiFi. The tour returns you to your hotel around 5pm. Note, there is no breakfast or lunch included.

This is a great option if you want to spend plenty of time at the historic site as well as see the scenic attractions around the Tasman Peninsula.

Port Arthur Day Tour with Carnarvon Bay Cruise and Isle of Dead Tour

For one of the Port Arthur tours from Hobart with something extra, check out this day trip to Port Arthur from Hobart. This tour includes a Port Arthur guided tour of Isle of the Dead in addition to entry to the historic site.

Departing around 8:45am, this tour includes hotel pick up, but it is also possible to meet at a departure point on Brooke Street Pier.

On the way to Port Arthur, this day trip to Port Arthur from Hobart stops at Eaglehawk Neck where you’ll visit Doo Town, see the Devils Kitchen, Tasman Arch and the blowhole before continuing on to Port Arthur Historic Site.

Entry to the historic site includes a 40 minute walking Port Arthur prison tour and a 20 minute Port Arthur boat cruise which gives you entry to Isle of the Dead and includes a walking tour of the island. This was the settlement’s burial site, and it contains graves of both convicts and free settlers. Over 1000 people are buried here, and a tour offers insight into their lives.

This tour will have you returning to Hobart around 5pm just in time for dinner.

Port Arthur Day Tour With Harbour Cruise And Tasman National Park

Another option among Port Arthur day tours from Hobart is this highly rated tour.

Beginning around 8:30am with hotel pick up from Hobart’s CBD, this tour heads to Port Arthur via a photo stop at the historic village of Richmond, just 30 minutes from Hobart, where you can see the famous bridge.

The next stop on this tour is Eaglehawk Neck where you can check out the scenery over the water from Pirates Bay Lookout.

The tour then takes you to Port Arthur Historic Site where you can enjoy a guided walking tour and a harbour cruise so you can experience everything this place has to offer.

It’s then on to the Remarkable Cave to see more of the rugged coastline of the area.

This is a full day with the tour arriving in Hobart around 6:30pm, but it’s one where you can make the most of the scenery and historic site. You’ll be dropped back at central hotels.

Port Arthur Day Tour with Salamanca Market and Carnarvon Bay Cruise

For something extra, check out this tour with a stop at Salamanca Market. This tour is basically the same as the Port Arthur Day Tour with Carnarvon Bay Cruise listed above, with an additional hour for visiting Salamanca Market.

Salamanca Market is a vibrant street market that is held every Saturday in Salamanca Place. The street shuts down to traffic and fills with stalls selling local produce, handcrafted trinkets, chocolate, fudge, jams, clothes, toys, bags and plenty of food. It’s always busy and beaming, and an exciting spot to explore.

This tour departs from Hobart at 8:45am and returns around 6pm and includes hotel pick up and drop off. You’ll have over an hour to roam around the market before heading to Port Arthur via Eaglehawk Neck and stopping at the main points of interest here.

When you reach the historic site, you’ll be given around 3.5 hours to explore and enjoy a walking tour and harbour cruise.

Wilderness Port Arthur Cruise

There are few ways to get closer to nature and wildlife than from the sea, and this Port Arthur boat tour by Tasman Island cruises in Port Arthur is one of the best choices.

This 3 hour wilderness cruise takes you around the Tasman Peninsula exploring some of the amazing geological formations from the sea. This includes skirting around the rugged and towering coastline and seeing sea caves and waterfalls.

This is also one of the top Port Arthur boat tours for spotting wildlife. Expect to see numerous species of birds, dolphins, seals and even potentially a whale.

You’ll also see the isolated Tasman Island Lighthouse. The crew are knowledgeable of both the area and wildlife and will answer any question.

These tours depart from Port Arthur, so you’ll need to make your way there. You should also expect to get wet – jackets are provided.

These tours are truly unique and let you experience and appreciate the area from a completely different angle.

Port Arthur Cruise Ship Tours

This is an excellent tour option for those arriving in Port Arthur on a cruise ship. Cruise ships reach Port Arthur by tender where it’s an easy walk to the entry of the Port Arthur Historic Site. This is the meeting point for this tour.

This is a half day tour which still gives you plenty of time to explore the historic site, as well as around Port Arthur and the Tasman Peninsula.

Tasmanian Chocolate Foundry is the first stop where you can do some tastings, as well as purchase some chocolate, a gift or tea. This tour takes you to Tasman National Park where you’ll stop at top attractions on the Tasman Peninsula, including Devils Kitchen, Tasman Arch and Remarkable Cave.

There is a visit to Doo Town and a stop at the cafe Doo-lishus (extra charge), as well as a stop at Port Arthur Lavender Farm where you can walk through the farm, get a coffee or something to eat and visit the fabulous gift shop, before arriving back at the historic site to start exploring. Note that entry to the historic site is at your own cost.

This is one of the best value Port Arthur Tasmania tours for cruise ship passengers.

Want To Travel Independently?

Whilst doing a tour is an excellent way to see the top sites in and around Port Arthur, travelling independently is also possible.

For independent tours to Port Arthur from Hobart, you’ll need your own car to make the most of the area. Attractions are quite spread out and there’s a lot to see.

You can plan your tour by reading about how to get to Port Arthur from Hobart here and things to do in Port Arthur here .

You can also stay overnight in Port Arthur. There are several nice accommodation options in and around Port Arthur. If you plan to do this, note that entry to the Port Arthur Historic Site is valid for 2 days. This will give you plenty of time to explore the site extensively.

Visiting independently also gives you more flexibility over the Port Arthur tour times.

Port Arthur Walking Tour

All entry tickets to Port Arthur Historic Site include a 40 minute walking tour. You can choose the time of your walking tour when you book your ticket.

The walking tour begins from the main entry building and offers insights into the sites history and how life was here. Guides generally discuss the life of individual convicts, the problems of the time that lead to the establishment of the site, and information on the church and homes of the free settlers.

You’ll also hear about the brutal conditions at Port Arthur, leading to its reputation as one of the toughest gaols in the colony.

Port Arthur Harbour Cruise

Entry to port Arthur also includes a 20 minute harbour cruise around Carnarvon Bay. These cruises are on a modern two-storey vessel offering nice views of the harbour with narration from the boat’s captain.

It is also possible to get off at Isle of the Dead. This small island was Port Arthur’s burial site and the graves of over 1000 men, women and children, both marked and unmarked, fill the island. It is a small additional fee to visit the island.

It is beautifully presented and includes a walking tour making a visit worthwhile.

Port Arthur Ghost Tour

For something really unique, consider taking a Port Arthur night tour by doing one of the super popular Port Arthur ghost tours.

The 1.5 hour long Port Arthur Tasmania ghost tour takes you around the site by lantern light with a guide sharing the more gruesome history and many ghost stories that have given Port Arthur a reputation for being one of the most haunted places in Australia.

Whether or not that’s true, it’s fair to say that the Port Arthur ghost tour stories combined with the atmosphere at night makes for an eerie and popular tour!

Plus, there are options to start your tour with a two-course Port Arthur ghost tour dinner at the 1830 Restaurant & Bar.

Final Words

Port Arthur and the surrounding area have so much to offer.

In our opinion, this is a must visit spot when travelling around Tasmania, if only to visit the historic site. As you can see, there are plenty of options when it comes to day tours Hobart to Port Arthur.

I hope this article has helped you find the best Port Arthur day trip. Enjoy your visit!

Want to learn more? Click here to read our full guide of everything to do around Port Arthur , all the best Port Arthur accommodation here and here for our full guide to the Tasman Peninsula.

By Shan Hutchinson

Shan grew up in Tasmania, moved away and then came back with her family twenty years later. She loves re-discovering her home state and sharing it with you here.

Port Arthur Historic Site (Port Arthur)

• Facilities 4.0
• Atmosphere 4.0

For a dose of Australian history, make your way to the Port Arthur Historic Site. Built in 1830 as a timber station and penal settlement for Britain's criminals, the property expanded over the years to accommodate more than 3,500 convicts across nearly 250 acres. Today, it's one of 11 locales that make up the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Australian Convict Sites and welcomes visitors daily.

History buffs rave about this Port Arthur attraction, saying it's one of Australia's most well-preserved landmarks. Many also praise the site's "beautiful" location by Carnarvon Bay and recommend saving time for the property's 25-minute harbor cruise, which is included in your entrance fee. To further immerse yourself, some recommend going on an evening ghost tour.

The Port Arthur Historic Site is open from 9 a.m. until sunset daily. Standard tickets cost 39 Australian dollars (about $31) for adults, AU$17 (less than $13.50) for kids ages 7 to 17, and AU$99 (roughly $78) for families with one or two adults and up to six children. Entry is free for kids 6 and younger and travelers who hike the Three Capes Track . Passes are valid for two consecutive days and include a 40-minute guided walking tour, a harbor cruise and access to more than 30 historic buildings. Specialty tours of the cemetery and Point Puer Boys' Prison, as well as ghost tours cost extra. You can also pay AU$6 for an audio guide. All ticketholders have access to a coffee shop, restrooms and two gift shops, plus a free parking lot. If you don't have a car, you can take Tassielink Transit's No. 750 or 751 bus to the site. You'll find the Port Arthur Historic Site approximately 60 miles southeast of Hobart. Find out more by visiting the property's website .

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More Best Things To Do in Tasmania

#1 Freycinet National Park (Coles Bay)

Occupying a peninsula just south of Coles Bay, Freycinet National Park is a prime spot for bird-watching, camping and scenic drives. The park also features white-sand beaches surrounded by pink granite peaks that are just as popular with photographers as they are with swimmers, kayakers and snorkelers. If you'd rather hike while exploring this protected area, you'll find multiple trails for short, half-day and overnight hikes on-site.

Visitors rave about this national park's scenery, adding that locales like Wineglass Bay and Hazards Beach are so breathtaking that you could spend several hours admiring your surroundings. If you're short on time or new to hiking, travelers recommend trekking the Wineglass Bay Lookout path; for a more challenging hike, several suggest taking the path to Mount Amos. Reviewers also rave about the sunsets at Honeymoon Bay and Cape Tourville's lighthouse.

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Port Arthur Escapes Tour

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Port Arthur Historic Site

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Your experience starts here

Site entry tickets are valid for 2 days and include a harbour cruise, a self-guided audio experience, complimentary site talks. Site entry is required to be booked with any additional tour.

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

Adult: $48 Child: $23 Concession: $38

Do you believe in ghosts?

As the sun sets, come out to the dark grounds of the Port Arthur Historic Site for your 90-minute, lantern-lit Ghost Tour. Follow your expert guide through some of Port Arthur’s more infamous buildings, ruins and hear vivid stories of unexplained events.

Tours currently depart at 6:00pm and 8:00pm

Adult: $35 Child: $18

There are a range of complimentary guide talks  as well as additional tours and special events available each day.  Scroll down for more information about what’s on today and in coming days.

Guide Talks

William Smith O’Briens #8 – CLOSED

Tours and Events

Fathers Day Special

Join us on-site this Father’s Day and make it a memorable family adventure!

Sunday September 1st

Discounted pricing for family fares. See terms and conditions on event page.

Shades of Port Arthur

Join our guide as the light wanes and they share stories of ghostly stories in this 90-minute tour of the Commandant’s House, Guard Tower and the old hospital.

Departing the Port Arthur Visitor Centre at 3:30pm every Saturday until 31 August.  Tours run approximately 90 minutes.

Adult $35 Child $18

Children aged 17 years and under must be accompanied by an adult.

Spaces are limited and bookings are essential.

Isle of the Dead cemetery tour

Step off the Harbour Cruise for a 40-minute guided tour around the final resting place for many convicts, soldiers and free settlers.

Tours run for approximately 40 minutes with an additional 20 minutes aboard the harbour cruise (total time required is approximately 60 minutes).

The harbour cruise departs for the Isle of the Dead tour from the jetty at 12:20pm; 1:00pm & 3:00pm daily.

Escape from Port Arthur

Surrender your freedom for 1 hour to take this exciting tour where you will meet cunning criminal character who went to extreme measures to escape from Port Arthur.

A 60-minute tour to meet the convicts who risked everything to Escape Port Arthur.

Adult $20 Child $10 Family $60

Port Arthur Premium Tour

Delve deeper into the stories behind our fascinating past on this 90-minute small group guided walk through history.

Tours depart from the Visitor Centre daily at 12.30pm.  Tours run for approximately 90 minutes over a distance of approximately 2 kilometres.

Adult $30 Child $15 Family $90

Eat + Drink at Port Arthur

We offer a range of dining options across the site open daily

History is for everyone and Port Arthur has welcomed families for many generations.  If you are travelling with kids to Port Arthur, the site offers stories, activities and plenty of...

Port Arthur has a naturally deep harbour which lended itself perfectly to the arrival of large ships back in the convict era. Port Arthur even operated its own Dockyard from...

How much does it cost to visit the Port Arthur Historic Site?Our current admission prices are listed on the Port Arthur Entry page while prices of additional tours, enhancing your...

Careers and Volunteers

Joining the team at the Port Arthur Historic Sites offers you a unique opportunity to become part of the continuing story of one of Australia’s most significant World Heritage-listed historic...

WHILE YOU’RE HERE

EXPLORE OUR OTHER SITES

Port Arthur Historic Site is a 90-minute drive from nipaluna / Hobart, and the journey offers some of the best sightseeing in lutruwita / Tasmania. Visit The Coal Mines Historic Site at Saltwater River, and visit The Cascades Female Factory in South Hobart upon your return.

Cascades Female Factory

Cascades Female Factory Historic Site aims to foster a greater understanding and appreciation for the largely untold story of female convicts and their children.

Coal Mines Historic Site

The Coal Mines Historic Site is an outstanding example of the 19th-century European global strategy of using the forced labour of convicts.

Acknowledgement of country

We would like to acknowledge that the Port Arthur Historic Site is built on unceded Aboriginal land. We pay respect to the Palawa (Tasmanian Aboriginal) Community, their Elders past and present.