Port Arthur Tour from Hobart

Hobart, Australia

Do you enjoy historical tours? This full day tour from Hobart has been designed to allow as much time as possible to explore Port Arthur. Formerly a convict site, Port Arthur is bursting with history and today boasts a landscape of natural beauty, scenic ruins and restored buildings. Make the most out of your day and join the informative fully guided historical walking tour then jump on board the relaxing cruise to the Isle of the Dead!

Port Arthur Historic Site is a compelling and dramatic reminder of our convict past and the early settlement of the Colony of Van Dieman's Land, now Tasmania. Interpretive and interactive presentations being the reality the harrowing life of convicts 200 years ago. Please note, this tour offers the opportunity for maximum time at Port Arthur Historic Site.

Highlights:

• Cross the Tasman Bridge
• Head out on the Tasman Highway over the Pitwater Causeway onto Forestier Peninsular
• Eaglehawk Neck
• Skirt Norfolk Bay on the Tasman Peninsula
• Take a guided walking tour of the historic convict site - Port Arthur, with access to over 30 restored buildings and ruins
• See the Penitentiary - a one time granary and flour mill, the separate prison, the Commandant's House, the church and much more...
• Take a cruise on Carnarvon Bay and circumnavigate the Isle of the Dead
• Visit Highlights of the Tasman National Park
• Wonder at the spectacle of the Tasman Arch
• Superb views of the rugged coastline
• Be amazed at the magnitude of the Devils Kitchen

Lunch (not included) is available at Port Cafe at the entrance to the Port Arthur Visitor Center. There is also a sit down restaurant called Felons. Both have a large selection of sandwiches, hot food and drinks.

Click on "View Additional Info" for the hotel pickup list

USD $102.22

Traveler Reviews

Review by: Dianne P	April 2012
The bus trip to Port Arthur was very informative and relaxing. Port Arthur is a national treasure. After the initial talk by the guide we were left to explore on our own. What a memorable and beautiful place. Thank you Tasmania for looking after our heritage so well. I think schools should send their classes there to to appreciate our own history.

Review by: Venka P	March 2012
The bus driver was good, friendly and informative on the way there and back. Once at Port Arthur we were given clear instructions on what was where and how to make the most of the day. Walking around the site was easy and the signs and paper guide were informative. The time at the site could have been 1 hour longer to enable a more relaxed walk around and have time to spend on the island of the dead, which I didn't do.

Review by: Charles F	March 2012
in spite of the wet weather a very enjoyable trip.

Review by: Koon Hung W	March 2012
A very beautiful historical site that you must travel to learn about the history of Tasmania.

Review by: Rosalind L	March 2012
The tour was brilliant! The bus driver/guide was extremely friendly and knowledgeable, I am unable to climb steep surfaces, but received assistance from the Trolley/Cart driver who roams the site assisting where required. He was able to drive us to the top of Port Arthur where I was able to really get a good view of the ruins. Only downside was I felt the tour could have been a little shorter as it felt like a very long day. Overall a wonderful experience

Review by: douglas m	January 2012
Excellent. On time, comfortable (even though full) with enough time at all stops. Competent driver with entertaining commentary.

Review by: Yuting W	December 2011
Bad service from the tour guide! He arrived at the hotel about 15 mins before pick up time and rang the bell a hundred times! My mum and I lived in Elms of Hobart, which is a very old but fabulous house and we were embarrassed becasue the tour guide woke up everyone in the house! He made me feel he is angry with us. I think he does not love his job at all. For the whole day, he did not talk with customers, careless, cold and sometimes impolite. The worst thing is he asked for tips at the end of the day. To those who gave him a dollar or more, he behaved like their old brother who did not want to say goodbye. To those who gave him nothing, like me,he behaved like we were totally invisible in his eyes. I do not think his performance deserves any tip. Anyway, this day tour disappointed me very much. Although Port Arthur is a fabulous place, our mood was ruined by the guide from the beginning of the day. I have to say WE HAD A BAD DAY!!!

Review by: Jaana L	November 2011
Beautiful landscape over the area, so it was a bit hard to imagine the horror once existed here. Partly rainy day, but it didn't matter, because you can hide inside the buildings and explore them during the rain. It was also nice to stop to take some photos during the way to Port Arthur. Knowledgeable guide.

Review by: Susan D	November 2011
Mostly self-guided but a gorgeous setting, so much history and the terrific weather was a nice benefit!

Review by: Bev L	August 2011
Port Arthur was absolutely amazing. I went 30 years ago and the change in the reconstructed buildings was extraordinary. The trip out there by bus was good with a stop at some other sights. We chose not to do the cruise as we wanted to spend more time at Port Arthur so I really liked the flexibility. Overall well worth the trip and great to be transported so we could relax.

Review by: JINGSI Y	May 2011
This is a good one...get to know the history, which is really amazing!!! I wish iIhave more time there...

Review by: Robyn C	January 2011
Took our 5 year grandson with us and we all enjoyed the experience. We didn't do the walking tour but made our own way around. The driver was very informative and they had arranged an earlier bus for the ship customers so go back on time.

Review by: Michelle F	January 2011
I really enjoyed the trip to Port Arthur and it was very well organised. Collection from the hotel was great, sitting back and relaxing the scenic journey on the way was better than driving myself, and I felt the price was very good for the day. No negative feedback :)

Review by: Kaia D	January 2011
My husband and I both loved this tour. We're not huge history buffs but thought we should visit Port Arthur while we were in Hobart. This is a must see for all Australians. It's a fascinating tour through history,

Review by: Jenefer P	November 2010
Guides were passionate and knowledgeable. An incredible experience!

Review by: Michael C	August 2010
This was a great experience, a must do for everyone. I liked the flexibility you could either be part of a tour, or just go off and do your own thing-great.

Review by: Anna S, Australia	April 2010
This is one of the best trips i have ever taken, starting with a friendly and interesting coach driver. The scenery stops along the way were a good idea and most welcome for a first time visitor to the region. I would ask that the time spent at Port Arthur itself be extended by another hour or 90 mins as i did not get to take in everything, and there is much more to see and read than i had thought. I'm sure getting back to Hobart at 6 or 6.30 pm is no big difference to day trippers.

Review by: Sandra S, Australia	March 2010
Good, well organised

Review by: Alokananda R, Australia	January 2010
Fantastic tour rich in history with very good guide.

Review by: Anonymous, Australia	December 2009
Great tour

Review by: Anonymous, Australia	November 2009
A bit pricey for what you get, but well organised and hassle free.

Review by: Lisa S, Australia	August 2009
The tour driver was prompt, entertaining and informative. The tour guide at Port Arthur was also fantastic and had the ability to transform the place using imagination. The whole experience was educational and quite moving. Port Arthur is spectacular and was the highlight of my trip to Tasmania.

Review by: Anita Z, Australia	July 2009
Would have been great if the weather had not been so miserable.

Review by: Anonymous, Germany	May 2009
Very interesting.

Review by: Anonymous, Singapore	April 2009
Recommended.

Review by: Anonymous, Malaysia	March 2009
Love the history and would like to remain the ruin as it is.

Review by: Anonymous, Australia	February 2009
Everything is the same as the rating.