Hobart Day Trips

Port Arthur

In the far south of Tasmania, on the Tasman Peninsula, is Port Arthur, which in the early 1800s was originally a timber station. In 1833 it became a prison settlement for male convicts, and quickly established a reputation as being 'hell on earth'. Today Port Arthur lies among 40 hectares of English Oaks and magnificent gardens as a memorial to Australia's convict past. The Port Arthur historic site offers an inclusive all day ticket, which includes a guided historical walking tour of the ruins and restored buildings, a harbour cruise and access to the visitor centre and interpretation gallery. One of the more popular features of a visit to Port Arthur is the Historic Ghost Tour run at night. Port Arthur is located 65 miles (100km) south-east of Hobart. Allow about an hour and a half to enjoy the scenic drive along the Tasman and Arthur highways.

E-mail: reservations@portarthur.org.au; Website: www.portarthur.org.au; Telephone: (0)3 6251 2300 or 1800 659 101 (toll free); Opening time: The grounds and ruins open daily 8.30am to dusk. The Visitor Centre opens 8.30am until after the Historic Ghost tours at night; Admission: Site entry: A$28 (adults), A$14 (children 4-17 yrs); After dark Ghost Tour: A$20 (adults), A$12 (children 4-17 yrs); passes are valid for ½ a day to several days. Other concessions available