Why Port Arthur in Tasmania is so Fascinating

Is Port Arthur in Tasmania worth visiting? The answer is definitely YES! Port Arthur is one of the most important historical sites in Australia. The UNESCO World Heritage site has a grim history that fascinates visitors with horror stories of the convicts who lived at the settlement.

People love visiting Port Arthur in Tasmania because of its historical significance and also for its dramatic setting. The stunning location on the wild and beautiful Tasman Peninsula adds to Port Arthur’s appeal and although the scenery around Port Arthur is magnificent life was hard for the early settlers.

I went to the Port Arthur Historic Site on a solo road trip in Tasmania and spent a few days exploring the beautiful Tasman Peninsula but I wished I could stay longer. So I went back to hike the stunning Three Capes Track, an epic 4-day hike that begins at the Port Arthur historic site.

I think the Port Arthur site is a fascinating place to visit and I was awed by the stunning scenery in the Tasman National Park. In this article, I’ll share the best things to do in Port Arthur Tasmania and the Tasman Peninsula.

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TIP: I used Discover Cars to book my hire car in Tasmania. It’s a comparison website for hiring cars around the world and I found the perfect car for my fly drive Tasmania holiday to the wild west coast.

Where is Port Arthur

Port Arthur is a small town on the remote Tasman Peninsula on the east coast of Tasmania in Australia and a 90-minute drive southeast of Hobart.

About the Port Arthur Historic Site

The Port Arthur Historic Site has many stories to tell of the people who lived and died there. The grounds are huge and there are beautiful gardens and ruins to explore. Like The Rocks in Sydney, Port Arthur is UNESCO World Heritage-listed and is one of the most important colonial sites in Australia.

Established in 1830 as a timber station, Port Arthur in Tasmania was a secondary penal colony and the worst of the convicts were sent here. The site was chosen for its remote and inhospitable location making escape impossible for the unlucky convicts who were imprisoned here.

Today, visitors to Port Arthur can wander amongst the ruins and enjoy the lovely grounds and gardens. The main building is a huge penitentiary with solitary confinement cells and the shell of a church sits up on the hill. Near the church, a line of restored cottages with pretty English gardens is open so visitors can see the home of the local priest and the settlement doctor.

Also on the grounds of the Port Arthur site is a memorial garden for the unlucky visitors who died in the Port Arthur gun massacre.

The Port Arthur Massacre

In 1996, there was a horrific mass shooting at the Port Arthur Historic Site in Tasmania. A gunman opened fire on sightseers who were visiting the site at the time, killing 35 people and wounding 23.

Sweeping political changes resulted from this brutal attack and tight gun laws were introduced in Australia that restricted the use of firearms. There has not been another massacre since then.

Visiting the Port Arthur Historic Site

Visiting the Port Arthur site is one of the most popular things to do in Tasmania and online pre-bookings are essential. Tickets are valid for 2 consecutive days and include a short introductory tour and a 20-minute harbour cruise.

Wander around the ruins on your own or book a guided day tour for a more in-depth experience. Bring a picnic lunch and enjoy the lovely grounds or grab a bite to eat at the cafe in the Port Arthur Visitors Centre.

TIP: Buy your Port Arthur entry tickets in advance and skip the queue.

How long should you spend at Port Arthur?

Port Arthur is easy to visit on a day trip from Hobart. The drive takes around 90 minutes and you can see the Historical site in a few hours. Spend the rest of the day enjoying the stunning scenery and other attractions on the Tasman Peninsula.

There’s so much to see and do around Port Arthur besides the historical site, you can easily stay 2 to 3 days in the area, or longer if you have the time on a self drive holiday in Tasmania.

What to do in Port Arthur Australia?

If you’re wondering what to do in Port Arthur, visiting the Historical Site should be at the top of your list. But there are plenty of other attractions and activities on the Tasman Peninsula to keep you busy.

Soak up the history, and the stunning scenery and meet the unique Australian wildlife. Inside the Tasman National Park, there are hiking trails, incredible lookout points, caves, blowholes and rock formations that are worth seeing.

If you enjoy wine tasting you’ll find lots of opportunities on the drive from Hobart. Just look out for vineyards with open cellar doors.

Other popular stops are:

• The Port Arthur Lavender Farm. Wander through the sweet-smelling lavender fields, enjoy a lavender-themed meal at the cafe and shop for souvenirs.

• The Unzoo keeps endangered Tasmanian Devils and you can see them in their enclosure at feeding time. This was a bit scary as they were quite aggressive but I spent the morning at the Unzoo and I loved seeing Devils for the first time and hand-feeding the wild kangaroos and wallabies.

TIP: Many of the attractions in Port Arthur are accessible by car and if you’re not driving you can book a day tour from Hobart.

Bushwalking in the Tasman National Park is also very popular and I can recommend the Three Capes Track, a popular multi-day hike that begins at the Port Arthur Historic site and continues along this extraordinary and stunning coastline.

TIP: Taking a wilderness cruise from Port Arthur is a great way to enjoy the amazing scenery and wildlife on the Tasman Peninsula. I did this cruise at the start of the Three Capes Track and saw a huge pod of dolphins in the bay.

Visit the Eagle Hawk Neck

The Eagle Hawk Neck separates the Port Arthur prison from the rest of the Tasman Peninsula and is a narrow sandbar 30 metres wide. You can visit the infamous dog line where ferocious dogs were chained to deter escapees.

To instil even more fear in the convicts, rumours of dangerous, shark-infested waters were circulated. Nearby, there’s a lookout point with expansive views across the Neck, Pirates Bay and the rugged coastline.

Visit the Tasman National Park

One of the main attractions at Port Arthur Tasmania is The Tasman National Park. Like Wineglass Bay on the Freycinet Peninsula, the natural landscape is breathtaking and you can explore the stunning coastline of the Tasman Peninsula by car or on foot.

Huge waves crash against soaring sea cliffs and there are many beautiful bushwalks in the National Park. To see the National Park and the unusual rock formations at the Tasman Arch and Blowhole, Waterfall Bay Remarkable Cave and the Tessellated Pavement you’ll need to take a tour or drive a car.

TIP: Get your Tasmanian National Parks Pass to visit the Tasman National Park. It costs $47 per car for a day visit or $99 for a holiday pass. Passes are available from National Parks Centres and online.

Remarkable Cave

I loved visiting the Remarkable Cave on the Tasman Peninsula. There’s an awe-inspiring view of the wild seas and the coastline from the lookout near the car park

It’s a steep walk down the stairs to the Remarkable Cave where huge waves crash through the small cave onto a rocky beach creating lots of noise and spray.

The Tasman Arch and Devil’s Kitchen

The Tasman Arch and Devil’s Kitchen are impressive geological formations in the Tasman National Park. There are several lookout points close to each other joined by easy walking trails.

Near the Tasman Arch is the Devil’s Kitchen where a vertical cliff face with striking patterns looms over the churning white water below. Local aboriginal people thought this place was inhabited by cannibal spirits whose cooking fires were represented by the dark markings on the cliffside.

Tessellated Pavement

The Tessellated Pavement is an interesting natural rock platform on the Tasman Peninsula, formed from compacted sediments around 3 million years ago. Get there early in the morning for sunrise if you can. On a low tide, the wet rock platform reflects the beautiful sky colours.

Don’t miss the Blowhole on Eagle Hawk Neck next to the car park and the beach and lookout point nearby.

Tasman Peninsula Walks

There are many great walks to choose from on the Tasman Peninsula so set aside some time to explore the National Park on foot. Here are some of the best:

The 3 Capes Track – 4 days / 3 nights

The Three Capes hiking trail is one of the most popular multi-day walks in Tasmania. The spectacular coastal scenery on the Tasman Peninsula draws walkers from all over Australia and around the world. The track is 48 kilometres long, well-maintained and the grade is easy to medium.

Tasmanian National Park Rangers check up on the walkers each night and are available to give help and advice. This makes the Three Capes Track a great option for solo female travellers and for families who like to get out into the wilderness. You can sleep in eco-cabins along the trail (for a fee) and it’s also possible to camp at basic campsites near Fortescue Bay.

An advantage of hiking with Tasmanian National Parks is the accommodation. Well-equipped cabins, kitchen facilities and an outdoor shower at one of the huts make the walk comfortable and you can leave the cooking gear and tent behind and walk with a lighter pack. But my backpack still weighed around 13 kilograms even without the extra gear.

I can highly recommend hiking the Three Capes trail. The coastal scenery is stunning, the bush was in flower (in December) and the eco-cabins were surprisingly warm and comfortable. I loved discovering the majestic Australian wilderness. I felt safe on this multi-day hike and made a lot of friends along the way.

Click here for more information.

Fortescue Bay to Cape Hauy – 4 hours return

This is a beautiful walk on the Tasman Peninsula that passes through heathland to spectacular sea cliffs and some of the most magnificent and untamed scenery in Tasmania. This walk joins the Three Capes Track and begins at the Fortescue Bay car park. There’s a campsite with basic facilities inside the National Park at Fortescue Bay.

Crescent Bay & Mount Brown – 4 hours return

This walk follows the stunning, lonely cliff tops and offers sweeping views of Maingon Bay. You’ll reach the Maingon lookout and then the Maingon Blowhole a couple of kilometres into this walk. As you approach the blowhole along the clifftop, listen for the eerie sound of crashing water echoing below.

The blowhole wasn’t blowing when I was there but it still had an impressive aura of danger with sheer cliffs and a steep drop to the sea thrashing around below. This walk begins near the Remarkable Cave car park and follows an undulating track on the Tasman Peninsula.

Cape Raoul – 5 hours return

The walk to Cape Raoul has spectacular coastal views but can be very windy. The walk commences off Stormlea Road (off Nubeena Road).

Devil’s Kitchen to Waterfall Bay – 1.5 hours return

Follow the trail from the Devil’s Kitchen to Waterfall Bay on a popular, flat walk through the coastal forest with impressive cliff views.

Fortescue Bay to Bivouac Bay – 3 hours return

This popular coastal track passes through a penguin rookery at Canoe Bay

**Don’t Miss** Tasmanian Devils at the “The Unzoo”

If you’re visiting Port Arthur in Tasmania make sure you call in at the Unzoo. It’s a zoo that encourages wild animals to visit and it’s also an opportunity to see some unique Australian wildlife up close. There are daily feeding sessions that are lots of fun.

I was delighted to see endangered Tasmanian Devils for the first time at the Unzoo. But the Devils were a bit scary at feeding time when they chased each other around the enclosure. You can also hand-feed wild kangaroos and wallabies here and it’s a joy to be able to interact with the wildlife.

TIP: This day trip from Hobart to Port Arthur includes the Tasmanian Devil Conservation Park at the Unzoo and other highlights in the Tasman National Park. It’s a great option for visitors who don’t have a car.

Check out my Devil video: It took this Devil about 10 minutes to climb up onto a cement mixer and to find its way inside and out of the rain….

What to do between Hobart and Port Arthur

Visit the Devil’s Corner Winery

At the Devil’s Corner Winery, there’s a restaurant and cafe with a beautiful view, an open cellar door for wine tasting and a lookout tower with toilet facilities. You’ll be spoilt for choice with wineries on the drive from Hobart.

You’ll pass lots of other vineyards such as Craigie Knowe, Gala Estate and Spring Vale. You could easily spend an enjoyable afternoon wine tasting.

Visit the Port Arthur Lavender Farm

The Port Arthur Lavender Farm is located on the Arthur Highway. It’s a lovely place to visit and a great place to stock up on gifts. There’s a cafe where you can enjoy a lavender-themed meal in a lovely setting and a gentle stroll through the sweet-smelling lavender fields. Souvenirs are available at the shop.

TIP: This day tour from Hobart to Port Arthur includes the Tasmanian Devils and other highlights on the Tasman Peninsula.

Stop at Dunalley Beach Lookout

The stunning coastal scenery near Dunalley drew me out of the car and onto the beach. The lookout is by the roadside just outside Dunalley on the road to Port Arthur in Australia.

How to get to Port Arthur from Hobart

To get to Port Arthur in Australia fly to Hobart Tasmania. If you arrive in Hobart without a car, there are buses and day trips that will take you to Port Arthur.

Alternatively, you can catch the Spirit of Tasmania ferry from Geelong in Victoria to Devonport in North Tasmania. Take your car with you on the ferry or hire a car at the airport when you arrive.

Car

The easiest and most flexible way to get there is to drive. Port Arthur in Tasmania is only 90 minutes by road from Hobart and you can stop whenever you want and visit the historic site on your own schedule when you’re on a road trip around Tasmania.

Bus

There are a few options for buses from Hobart to Port Arthur.

You can book a Port Arthur shuttle bus tour from Hobart.

There’s also a daily bus service from Hobart to the Port Arthur historic site. This is a good option if you’re hiking the Three Capes Track. I can personally recommend this bus service run by Pennicotts Wilderness Tours but make sure you book ahead.

Port Arthur Day Trip Tours

Booking a tour is the best way to get to Port Arthur from Hobart if you don’t have your own transport. You’ll see more along the way than going it alone. Many tours stop off at the main sites on the Tasman Peninsula as well as the Port Arthur Historic Site.

Port Arthur Accommodation

Here are some suggestions for where to stay in Port Arthur:

Budget: The NRMA Port Arthur Holiday Park has cabins and great facilities for campers including a lounge with an open fireplace & TV for when the weather turns foul. (Firewood is available to purchase). The Port Arthur Historic Site is a 5-minute drive or a 50-minute walk from the holiday park.

I enjoyed camping here. The camp kitchen and lounge were opposite my unpowered tent site and this was a blessing for me on a dark rainy evening! I also loved the wild wallabies hopping around my tent and the fire pit on my site. Book ahead as this campsite is very popular!

For a small fee, you can camp inside the Tasman National Park at the Fortescue Bay campsite but facilities are basic and access is via an unsealed road. This campsite is on the beach and bookings are recommended.

Mid Range: Port Arthur Villas are just a short walk from the Port Arthur Historic Site. The villas offer comfortable accommodation with kitchen facilities for self-catering and a beautiful garden setting.

Stuarts Bay Lodge provides self-contained chalets and cabins with fully equipped kitchens in a peaceful bush setting. There are gorgeous water views between the trees and the lodge is just a 5-minute drive, or a short walk, to the Port Arthur Historic Site.

What to Bring

Port Arthur is a very small town next to the Historic Site. The location on the Tasman Peninsula is remote and, while you can buy basic supplies, it’s best to buy food and petrol before you leave Hobart.

Put some warm clothes on your packing list for Tasmania as the weather can be cold on the Tasman Peninsula, even in summer.

**Bring a refillable water bottle. At the Port Arthur campsite, we had to boil the drinking water.

Where to Eat in Port Arthur

There are limited options for eating out in Port Arthur. I had a decent meal at the Nubeena RLS club and a basic meal at the Port Arthur Historic Site cafe. Nubeena is a 12-kilometre drive from Port Arthur and the road is very windy and very dark at night.

Self-catering is a good idea if you’re on a budget in Port Arthur because the Tasman Peninsula is so remote but there are a few restaurants in town, the Commandants Table, On the Bay and The Fox and Hound.

Final Thoughts: Is Port Arthur Worth Visiting?

Port Arthur is one of Tasmania’s most popular tourist destinations and is definitely worth visiting. On the surface, the gardens and ruins at Port Arthur are a nice place to visit for a picnic but the historical site also offers colonial history and human stories of the early settlement and the more recent tragedy.

The location of Port Arthur on the wild and stunning Tasman Peninsula is another good reason to spend a few days in the area. Marvel at the incredible scenery, hike in the National Park, meet the local wildlife and enjoy some local wines and lavender while you’re there.

I loved visiting Port Arthur and I think you will too.

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