Ruins of a stone church with arched windows and spires evoke the historic charm of Port Arthur, set on green grass under a blue sky with scattered clouds. Sunlight casts shadows on the old stone walls. | Aussie Loop
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Port Arthur Deep History Tour Guided by a Convict Descendant

from A$189
9 hours

A small group day tour from Hobart led by a direct descendant of 17 Tasmanian convicts. Stop at Richmond, Pirates Bay and the Tessellated Pavements, spend around four hours at the Port Arthur Historic Site with entry and a harbour cruise included, then see Tasman Arch, Devil's Kitchen and the Blowhole.

  • Ruins of a stone church with arched windows and spires evoke the historic charm of Port Arthur, set on green grass under a blue sky with scattered clouds. Sunlight casts shadows on the old stone walls. | Aussie Loop
  • A rocky shoreline with square stone formations leads to the sea under a cloudy sky, with waves gently washing over the stones and a forested coast in the distance—a landscape rich with stories uncovered on a Deep History Tour at Port Arthur.
  • Natural stone arch spans a deep, rocky gorge with blue sea water below, surrounded by green trees and shrubs under a partly cloudy sky—an iconic sight near Port Arthur, best explored as part of a Deep History Tour that reveals the area’s rich convict past.
  • Historic stone bridge spans a small river, with a church and village buildings set among trees and hills in the background—an evocative scene perfect for a Deep History Tour or for those tracing Convict Descendant roots connected to the nearby Port Arthur region.
  • A sign reading Sweets & Treats: The Richmond Lolly Shop is mounted above an open doorway on a cream-coloured building, welcoming visitors who may be exploring the Deep History Tour or discovering their roots as a Convict Descendant in the historic surroundings of Port Arthur.
  • Ruins of a stone church with arched windows and spires evoke the historic charm of Port Arthur, set on green grass under a blue sky with scattered clouds. Sunlight casts shadows on the old stone walls. | Aussie Loop
  • A rocky shoreline with square stone formations leads to the sea under a cloudy sky, with waves gently washing over the stones and a forested coast in the distance—a landscape rich with stories uncovered on a Deep History Tour at Port Arthur.
  • Natural stone arch spans a deep, rocky gorge with blue sea water below, surrounded by green trees and shrubs under a partly cloudy sky—an iconic sight near Port Arthur, best explored as part of a Deep History Tour that reveals the area’s rich convict past.
  • Historic stone bridge spans a small river, with a church and village buildings set among trees and hills in the background—an evocative scene perfect for a Deep History Tour or for those tracing Convict Descendant roots connected to the nearby Port Arthur region.
  • A sign reading Sweets & Treats: The Richmond Lolly Shop is mounted above an open doorway on a cream-coloured building, welcoming visitors who may be exploring the Deep History Tour or discovering their roots as a Convict Descendant in the historic surroundings of Port Arthur.

Quick read before you book.

  • Convict stories told by a descendant of 17 convicts
  • Around four hours at the Port Arthur Historic Site
  • The coastline that made escape near impossible
  • Optional lavender farm stop on the way home

What’s included

  • Hotel pick up and drop off in central Hobart
  • Small group tour with a maximum of 11 guests
  • Guide who is a direct descendant of Tasmanian convicts
  • Port Arthur Historic Site entry
  • Harbour cruise at Port Arthur
  • National park fees
  • Stops at Richmond Village, Pirates Bay lookout, the Tessellated Pavements, Devil's Kitchen, Tasman Arch and the Blowhole

Commonly asked questions.

Pick ups start at 7:30am from central Hobart stops, including the Grand Chancellor Hotel at 7:30am and the Tasmanian Travel and Information Centre on Davey Street at 7:35am. You are dropped back at your pick up point or anywhere in the CBD.

Your guide is a direct descendant of 17 Tasmanian convicts, so the stories of transportation and convict life come from someone with a personal link to them.

Hotel pick up and drop off, Port Arthur Historic Site entry, a harbour cruise, national park fees and your guide for the day.

The day runs for about nine hours, with around four hours at the Port Arthur Historic Site.

It is a small group tour with a maximum of 11 guests, travelling in a Mercedes Sprinter or Toyota Coaster.

It runs every Tuesday and Friday. Private tours can be arranged on request.

Cancel at least 24 hours before departure for a full refund.

Only a basic level of fitness is needed. There is some walking at each stop, but nothing demanding.

Bring water, sunscreen, a hat, comfortable shoes and a camera.

Your guide will point out the key stories, and our Port Arthur Historic Site guide helps you choose what to see in your free time.
It takes a full day, so pair it with a city day and a day out of town. Our 3 day Hobart itinerary shows how to fit it all in.
Yes, browse our Port Arthur tours, from sea cliff cruises to food and gin days on the Tasman Peninsula.

Read more? Here’s the full description.

Most Port Arthur tours give you the facts. This one gives you family history. Your guide is a direct descendant of 17 Tasmanian convicts, so the stories of transportation and life in Van Diemen's Land come with a personal connection no script can match. It's a small group of no more than 11 guests, and the day runs from Hobart via Richmond Village, the Pirates Bay lookout and the Tessellated Pavements before you reach the Port Arthur Historic Site. You get around four hours there, with entry and a harbour cruise included, then head back past Devil's Kitchen, Tasman Arch and the Blowhole, the wild coastline that made escape from the peninsula so hard. On the way home there's an optional stop at a lavender farm. Want to plan your time on site? Our Port Arthur Historic Site guide covers what to see first. If you'd rather see the sea cliffs from the water, the Tasman Island Cruises full day tour pairs a three hour cruise with Historic Site entry. Tours run every Tuesday and Friday. Check availability for your date.

Additional info by the operator.

Pick up times
  • Grand Chancellor Hotel, 7:30am
  • Tasmanian Travel and Information Centre, 20 Davey Street, 7:35am
  • 64 St Georges Terrace, 7:38am
  • Travelodge Hobart, 7:40am
  • Vibe Hotel, 7:43am
  • Allurity Hotel, 7:45am
  • Tower Motel, 7:48am
You're dropped back at your pick up point, or anywhere in the Hobart CBD. The walking is easy and needs only a basic level of fitness. Bring water, sunscreen, a hat, comfortable shoes and a camera.