Full-Day Port Arthur Historic Site Tour and Admission Ticket
Recommended by 92% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Hobart, Australia
- 10 hours (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
Explore our promoted experiences
Overview
Get an early start to make the most of your time at the UNESCO World-heritage listed Port Arthur Historic Site. This package includes early-morning pickup from Hobart, which gives you a full day to explore the site at your leisure. It also includes a guided introductory walking tour, entry into the site's historic buildings and heritage gardens, and a harbor cruise.
- Maximize your time in Port Arthur with an early-morning start
- Hassle-free pickup from the center of Hobart
- Flexibility to explore Port Arthur at your own pace
- Extra-value package includes a harbor cruise
What's Included
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Entry to Port Arthur Historic Site
- Lunch
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Pennicott Wilderness JourneysDock Head Building, Franklin Wharf, Hobart TAS 7000, Australia
We are located at Franklin Wharf, Hobart opposite the Constitution Dock lifting bridge. Please be at meeting point at 7.30am for check in.
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Operating hours.7:45 am
Itinerary
1
Port Arthur Historic Site
7 hours • Admission Ticket Included
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Infants must sit on laps
- Most travelers can participate
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 37 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.7
based on 90 reviews
Alice_D, Mar 2026
Informative and interesting commentary on the bus. Our bus driver, Murray was friendly and very helpful. It was a long but very enjoyable day at the site with excellent talks by the guides. The cafe served good food and catered well for those with dietary requirements.Such a beautiful location.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Dear Alice
Thank you for your lovely review. We’re delighted to hear you enjoyed the informative commentary and that Murray helped make the journey comfortable and enjoyable.
It’s wonderful to know you found Port Arthur both interesting and beautiful, and that the guides and café added to the experience. Thanks again for travelling with us — we’re so glad you had such an enjoyable day! 😊
Cheers
Melinda
Jennifer_R, Feb 2026
Lots to see, site on slope so some climbs involved. Interesting history about men and boys who were sentenced there.
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Dear Jennifer
Thank you for joining our bus service to the Port Arthur Historic Site tour and for sharing your review. We’re glad you found the history interesting and appreciated the depth of stories told across the site.
You’re absolutely right that the site is set on sloping ground, and we appreciate you highlighting that for future visitors. Thanks again for travelling with us.
Cheers
Melinda
Ziyad_A, Jan 2026
It was very long, finished everything and still 3 hours left for the return.
It would be great if the bus departs earlier than 4:45 PM knowing that you already in the site by 9:30 AM and activities take 3 hours at maximum.
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Thank you for travelling with us to the Port Arthur Historic Site and for sharing your feedback. We appreciate you letting us know how the timing felt on the day.
Our service provides return transport and entry tickets, allowing guests the flexibility to explore the Historic Site and its included activities at their own pace. The scheduled return time is set to accommodate all visitors, including those who wish to take part in the longer walks, harbour cruise and extended site exploration.
We understand that some guests may finish earlier than others, and we appreciate your suggestion regarding an earlier departure. Thank you again for your comments — they’re helpful as we continue reviewing our services.
Best Regards
Melinda
Michael_H, Dec 2025
It is very exposed will need to rug up if forecast for cold weather. Great time. The staff were very friendly.
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Thank you for joining our bus service to the Port Arthur Historic Site and for sharing your review. You’re absolutely right — the Site can be quite exposed, so warm layers are always a good idea.
We’re glad you had a great time and that our friendly staff helped make the day enjoyable.
Cheers
Melinda
Tom_N, Oct 2025
Super friendly bus driver - Olly.
Port Arthur was fabulous.
Pick up was 4.30 but we were ready by 2.30 to leave
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Dear Tom
Thanks for joining our tour and sharing your feedback. We’re glad you enjoyed Port Arthur and that Olly made the journey a friendly one. We appreciate your comments about timing and will keep them in mind.
Cheers
Melinda
Sarah_H, Oct 2025
Our guide dropped us at Port Arthur after a very scenic drive from Hobart. The site itself is self guided with some scheduled tours at different locations throughout the day. It's very interesting if you like history. I had more than enough time to experience the whole site. After 5 hours I'd had enough but had 2 more hours to wait for the tour bus to return and collect us. Very interesting insight into the convict history of Australia.
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Dear Sarah
Thank you for travelling with us to the Port Arthur Historic Site and for sharing your review. We’re glad you enjoyed the scenic drive from Hobart and found the site itself so interesting to explore.
As our service provides transport and entry tickets rather than a guided tour of the site, guests are free to explore the grounds and scheduled activities at their own pace. We appreciate your comments about the amount of time available before the return trip and will keep this feedback in mind.
Thank you again for joining us — we’re pleased the visit offered a meaningful insight into Tasmania’s convict history.
Cheers
Melinda
Paul_J, Oct 2025
Great experience, old and recent history. Very picturesque. Trip included short trip on boat around bay.
The downside is the stay is twice as long as it requires due to waiting for hikers ending their journey.
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Dear Paul
Thank you for travelling with us to the Port Arthur Historic Site and for sharing your review. We're glad to hear you enjoyed the history, scenery and the harbour cruise included with your site entry.
As our service provides transport and tickets rather than guiding at the site, the return time is scheduled to accommodate all guests on the tour — including those completing the walking option. We appreciate your feedback on the duration, and it’s helpful for us to keep in mind when reviewing our schedules.
Thank you again for joining us — we’re pleased you had an enjoyable visit to this remarkable historic site.
Best Regards
Melinda
Martin_F, Oct 2025
Take advantage of guide discussions at various sites where scheduled times are pre posted at reception center. It’s free and provides good insight.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Dear Martin
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your feedback.
Cheers
Melinda
Jane_F, Sep 2025
Well worth a visit, very informative, lots to see and read about inside the penalty colony. A good addition was the knowledge of driver/tour operator Zoe
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Dear Jane
We are so glad to hear you had a terrific visit to Port Arthur.
Cheers
Melinda
tanya_s, Aug 2025
This was a truely amazing experience. Our bus driver Ari was very friendly and professional. The day at Port Arthur was excellent. Thoroughly enjoyed the site, the harbour cruise, the food and facilities. Thankyou for a great day.
Response from Host, Aug 2025
Dear Tanya
We are so glad to hear you had a terrific day at Port Arthur.
Cheers
Melinda
Annie_D, Jul 2025
A most worthwhile day trip from Hobart. The facilities are top quality and the staff both friendly and knowledgeable. Our guide for the premium tour was Andrew and he was excellent. The free talks at various sites around the property were also most worthwhile. The history of Port Arthur is fascinating and prompted us to visit the Female Factory when back in Hobart. Highly recommend.
Response from Host, Aug 2025
Dear Annie
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your lovely feedback.
Cheers
Melinda
Swagata_S, Jul 2025
It is a tour for those who don't want to drive down to Port Arthur themselves, or stand in queue to buy entry tickets. It's also great that the driver of the bus tells you a little bit about Hobart and the town's on the way as he drives. Once you're in Port Arthur and he gets you the tickets and explains the next steps, you're on your own, but it is an easy self-guided your with explanations, maps and aids everywhere. The 20-minute cruise to the nearby islands, included in the ticket, was a unique experience too. The driver drops you around 9.30 am, and then picks you up again at 4.30 pm. It was exactly what we wanted.
Response from Host, Aug 2025
Thank you so much for sharing your considered comments. We are so glad to hear you had a great Port Arthur Historic Site visit.
Cheers
Melinda
Grace_D, Jul 2025
Was a great and well organised experience, our guide Liam was very knowledgeable and friendly!
The bus was very handy to get us to and from the historic site. The site itself was very beautiful and it was great reading about all of the history.
You have to pay for some guided tours around the site and to be able to visit the Isle of the Dead; but other than that the ticket was very inclusive of most things (entry to the site, harbour cruise, and transport between PA and Hobart).
Only thing that could be improved, we felt like it was too long of a day. We were done exploring by 2:30pm. We walked very slowly and read every sign, but still had 2 hours to spare before our bus departed. Maybe a shorter tour option could be better?
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Dear Grace
Thanks so much for sharing your considered feedback, we greatly appreciate it.
Cheers
Melinda
Marlene_W, Jul 2025
This experience was great as it was a full day at Port Arthur & because it is so widespread & lots of walking, you need all of this time to take it all in. Make sure you visit the downstairs museum & watch the very short video first before you go outside.
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Thank you so much for sharing your amazing feedback.
Cheers
Melinda
Paul_K, Jul 2025
Fantastic relaxing day with more than enough time to explore the historic site. Guide was very knowledgeable and made the day memorable.
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Dear Paul
We are so glad to hear you enjoyed your time at the Port Arthur Historic Site.
Cheers
Melinda
Keith_M, May 2025
It was a great full day!
Our Driver Katy was fabulous being full of information and very friendly.
Would recommend the journey
Response from Host, Jun 2025
Dear Keith
We are so glad to hear you had a wonderful visit to the Port Arthur region. It is such a special part of the world.
Cheers
Melinda
Caitlin_P, May 2025
This is really just transport to port Arthur and ticket purchased for you. The time allowed at the site is way too long so be prepared to eke it out somewhat. However it is worth a visit and the company are well organised and there and back safely.
Response from Host, Jun 2025
Dear Caitlin
Thank you for your feedback. Our Port Arthur Bus Service gives you a full day at the Port Arthur Historic Site.
Best Regards
Melinda
chantel_i, Apr 2025
Terrific experience, lots of information, lots of walking! Plenty of toilets around the property & food/ drink refreshments with terrific selection! Cool souvenir shop too. Make sure you semi fit or have a scooter, I did see golf carts around, not sure how they work, though I’m glad I went, it was wayyyy too long, with the shuttle to and from service. Leave in dark and return in dark.
Response from Host, May 2025
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your feedback on your visit to the Port Arthur Historic Site.
Cheers
Melinda
Justin_H, Apr 2025
This was a tour group that took everyone to the destination. From the site, we were free to roam around as we pleased. Tours were available on site at specified times and there was a short boat cruise, too.
There is a lot of history with this site & plenty of things to look at. The decks of playing cards for sale with caricatures of notable staff and prisoners was an interesting feature.
Response from Host, Apr 2025
Dear Justin
Thanks so much for taking the time to share your feedback.
Cheers
Melinda
Kenneth_J, Jan 2025
It was fantastic! The tour guide was very highly knowledgeable about many facts about the tour. He made many comments that were extremely informative and very interesting. Very highly recommend!!
Response from Host, Jan 2025
Thanks so much for sharing your wonderful feedback.
Cheers
Melinda
Jacqui_S, Nov 2024
At first I was sceptical about this tour wondering why it was so long and why I couldn't go on my own. Turns out it was a great tour that got us to Port Arthur without hassle especially as we did not have our own car. The entry fee was included plus a guided walking tour and also a 25 minute harbour cruise. Not all the Port Arthur booking options include all of these and cost just as much. Finding the bus stop was a bit tricky - but we were called by the tour organiser and were guided quick enough to the correct place. The driver also gave us a history and information on the way and was fun and humorous. We got time to explore the rest of the place ourselves and enjoy the beautiful garden grounds with manicured lawns and gardens. There were 2 cafeterias on site with plenty of choice of decent food and drink at a reasonable price. It was a wonderful day and I highly recommend this tour.
Response from Host, Dec 2024
Thank you so much for sharing your feedback, we greatly appreciate it.
Cheers
Melinda
Sandra_H, Oct 2024
It was a great day at Port Arthur. The pick up at the Pennicot office on the what was smooth and easy, we felt safe during the bus ride which had just the right amount of commentary (and some bad jokes) from the driver. Port Arthur is an interesting juxtaposition of natural beauty in the grounds and surroundings mixed with the education of learning the life and treatment of the prisoners.
Response from Host, Oct 2024
Dear Sandra
Thanks so much for your terrific feedback.
Cheers
Melinda
Caryn_A, Oct 2024
It was a great day and can highly recommend it but we were not told at all we could get dropped off at the airport on the way home. This would have saved us money and hours of time also.
Response from Host, Oct 2024
Hi Caryn
Thank you so much for your feedback. Our website does outline that we do pick up and drop off at the Hobart Airport as do our booking confirmations when you book with us directly. We will follow up with Viator to ensure it is mentioned in their information.
Cheers
Melinda
Anonymous, Oct 2024
It was great choice to get the ticket by tour as it's hard to get there by myself from the city without a car. You can look around the whole site by 4.30pm, which is plenty of time to enjoy it.
Response from Host, Oct 2024
Thanks so much for taking the time to provide feedback.
Cheers
Melinda
Chelvarajah_C, Jun 2024
We had an enjoyable day at Port Author. Interesting to hear about the facility and the brief tour was informative. I would have expected the guide to pick us up earlier in the evening as we were done with a tour over an hour earlier than the scheduled pick up. Would have been nice to have the option to leave earlier.
Response from Host, Jul 2024
Thank you so much for your feedback. We appreciate you taking the time.
Cheers
Melinda
Brian_C, Mar 2024
Good value, includes walking tour, gives enough time to explore (you need a good few hours, it's 100 acres)
Response from Host, Apr 2024
Dear Brian
Thanks so much for taking the time to share your feedback.
Cheers
Melinda
Fi_a, Mar 2024
Informative, eye-opening and interesting.
An excellent day set stunning surroundings. So much geographical and historical context about the reasons for transportation of convicts, their organisation, work and treatment at Port Arthur.
Zoe, our driver was excellent, giving a lot of relevant information during the journey about Tasmania; it's geography and history. Thank you.
One point not mentioned in the information sent once ticlets are booked via the app. You need to actually check in at the Dock Head Building, Franklin Wharf, as there are a number of different tours going off from the wharf at a similar time. This was not clear from information sent through electronically with the tickets.
Response from Host, Mar 2024
Thanks so much for your considered feedback. We are so glad to hear you enjoyed your visit to the Port Arthur Historic Site.
Cheers
Melinda
Trevor_S, Feb 2024
A very who is our pool guide for the poor Rob, moving and a very informative day. Our walking tour guide Rod really knows his stuff.
He told us how we think it really was and did not hold back.
Those times were extremely tough on all persons there.
Thankyou Port Arthur.
XXXX
Response from Host, Feb 2024
Dear Trevor
Thanks so much for your feedback.
Cheers
Melinda
Pamela_Z, Jan 2024
Our driver, Liam was very good. He was knowledgeable about the area as we travelled there. Timing was perfect.
Response from Host, Jan 2024
Dear Pamela
We are so glad you enjoyed your visit to Port Arthur.
Cheers
Melinda
Alexandra_W, Nov 2023
The whole day was wonderful. The service was great starting with the prompt departure of our bus for Port Arthur and a great commentary on the way from our driver. Port Arthur is not how I imagined it. It is so beautiful ... The setting is picturesque, certainly not like I thought a convict settlement would be. Our guide was really informative and it was obvious how passionate she was about the place . I would highly recommend this trip.
Response from Host, Nov 2023
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your feedback on our bus service to Port Arthur. We are so glad to hear you loved your day at Port Arthur.
Cheers
Melinda
From $86.32
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
Compare Similar Experiences
Current
Full-Day Port Arthur Historic Site Tour and Admission Ticket
90
10 hours
Free Cancellation
From
$86.32
Customers Who Bought This Tour Also Bought
Explore Similar Things to Do
Attractions in Hobart, Australia
- St. David's Cathedral Tours & Tickets
- Bruny Island Tours & Tickets
- Constitution Dock Tours & Tickets
- Tasmanian Devil Unzoo (Taranna Wildlife Park) Tours & Tickets
- Cascade Brewery Tours & Tickets
- Mawson's Hut Replica Museum Tours & Tickets
- Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary Tours & Tickets
- Tasman Bridge Tours & Tickets
- Lake St. Clair Tours & Tickets
- Richmond Village Tours & Tickets
- Hobart Zoo and Aquarium Tours & Tickets
- Sullivan's Cove Tours & Tickets