Port Arthur at a glance
The Port Arthur Historic Site is on the Tasman Peninsula. The site operator gives about 90 minutes by car from the city, so a visit is a full day trip with the drive added. This page is an independent guide and is not run by the site.
General admission covers a lot of ground. You explore on your own among more than 30 historic buildings, ruins and gardens, and the ticket includes a harbour cruise and short guide talks. Most of the grounds are outdoors, so wear sturdy shoes and bring weather protection. Visitors under 18 must be with an adult.
What the general admission ticket includes
The base ticket covers most of a first visit.
Harbour cruise
A 20-minute cruise is included. You choose the cruise time after you buy the ticket, so pick it early on a busy day.
Guide talks
Short talks of 10 to 15 minutes are included. They are a way to get oriented, not a full guided tour. Specialist guided tours are listed and priced separately.
Self-guided exploring
Over 30 historic buildings, ruins and gardens can be explored at your own pace. The photos on this page show the ruins and the lawns by the bay.
Who pays what
In 2026 an adult pays A$55, a child A$27.50 and a concession holder A$44. The age limits for the child fare are not spelled out on the admission page, so check them when you buy.
Our picks: Port Arthur
Two day trips from Hobart that include entry to the historic site and a harbor cruise.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in Australian dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Port Arthur, Tasmanian devils, Richmond and Tasman National Park
Ten hours with an eco-certified guide and up to 18 people. Park fees, the Port Arthur Historic Site, the Tasmanian Devil Unzoo with devil feeding and a harbor cruise are included; food and drinks are not.
Check availability →Port Arthur and Tasman sights with harbor cruise
Eight hours with commentary, pickup and return at eight central points, Port Arthur entry and a harbor cruise. Food and drinks are extra, and so is the Remarkable Cave, which you can add on the day.
Check availability →Port Arthur tours from Hobart
Guided day trips from Hobart to Port Arthur and the Tasman Peninsula, with live prices and availability.
Tickets and tours compared
Prices are in Australian dollars and are the figures published for 2026.
| Option | Time | Price in 2026 | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| General admission | Open 09:00 to 17:00 daily | A$55 adult, A$44 concession, A$27.50 child | Includes a 20-minute harbour cruise and guide talks |
| Ghost tour | 90 minutes, Wednesday to Sunday at 18:00 and 20:00 | A$35 adult, A$18 child | No separate day ticket needed |
| Isle of the Dead package | 45 minutes, 65 minutes with the ferry. Starts 12:30, 13:15 and 14:45 | A$85 adult, A$74 concession or student, A$42.50 child (3 to 16), A$170 family of 4 | Includes general admission, so it is not a simple add-on price |
Closed on Christmas Day. Check the current timetable and the tour start times before you go, because the tour times can change.
Getting there and parking
Most visitors drive. Free parking is available, including spaces for campervans and buses, but it can fill when the site is busy. Add the drive to your plan: 90 minutes each way is about 3 hours on the road before you stop anywhere.
The ghost tour is held in the evening, so decide whether you want a day on the peninsula only or a late return to Hobart. If you stay for the evening tour, drive back in the dark with care. Between dusk and dawn, animals cross the roads, so drive slowly.
Most people use a rental car or a guided tour. Our tours page explains how a guided day compares with driving yourself.
Tasman Peninsula stops on the way
The site operator names several places that people stop at on the drive: Eaglehawk Neck, the Tessellated Pavement, the Blowhole, Tasman Arch and Devil's Kitchen. The photo shows the Tessellated Pavement at sunrise.
The operator's list is a suggestion, not a guarantee that each place is open or safe on your day. Wind and swell matter on a coast. Look at conditions on the spot and keep well back from edges and water.
If you want a second day trip, Richmond and Bruny Island both start from Hobart in a different direction.
A sample day from Hobart
One way to fit the pieces together. Times depend on your own start and on the tour you pick.
Leave early
With a 90-minute drive and a 09:00 opening, a start from Hobart in the early morning gets you to the gate near opening. Stops on the Tasman Peninsula add time.
Morning: the grounds
Use general admission for the self-guided walk, the guide talks and the harbour cruise. Choose your cruise time after purchase. Wear sturdy shoes, because most of the site is outdoors.
Midday to afternoon: the Isle of the Dead
If you book the package, tours start at 12:30, 13:15 and 14:45. Allow 65 minutes with the ferry. The package includes general admission, so you do not buy both.
Evening: ghost tour or the drive home
The ghost tour runs Wednesday to Sunday at 18:00 and 20:00. If you do not stay, leave in time to drive the 90 minutes back to Hobart before dark where you can.
A note on 1996
On 28 April 1996, 35 people were killed at Port Arthur. Please treat the place with respect. We do not go into further detail here.
Port Arthur: frequently asked questions
How far is Port Arthur from Hobart?
The site operator gives about 90 minutes by car. That is driving time without stops.
What does the general admission ticket cost?
In 2026 it costs A$55 for an adult, A$27.50 for a child and A$44 for a concession holder. It includes a 20-minute harbour cruise, short guide talks and self-guided exploring.
When is the ghost tour?
The tour takes 90 minutes and runs Wednesday to Sunday at 18:00 and 20:00. It costs A$35 for adults and A$18 for children, and you do not need a separate day ticket.
What is the Isle of the Dead package?
It is a package that includes general admission. An adult pays A$85, and a family of four pays A$170. The tour takes 45 minutes, or 65 minutes with the ferry, and starts at 12:30, 13:15 and 14:45.
Is the site open every day?
Yes, from 09:00 to 17:00, except on Christmas Day.
Is parking free?
Yes, but spaces can run out when the site is busy.