Historic stone buildings of the Port Arthur Historic Site stand by the water, with forested hills in the background under an overcast sky, offering a glimpse into Tasmania’s convict past just a short drive from Hobart.
Back Highly recommendedVerified as Loop's Top 10Last reviewed October 2026

Port Arthur Historic Site from Hobart

from A$180
8 hours 45 mins
Hobart
All Ages (0+)
Free Cancellation (24 hours prior)

A full day from Hobart to the Port Arthur Historic Site with tickets sorted before you arrive, a guided site talk and a Carnarvon Bay cruise past the Isle of the Dead. Along the way you stop at Richmond Bridge, Pirates Bay and Eaglehawk Neck, finishing at the Tasmanian Chocolate Foundry.

  • Historic stone buildings of the Port Arthur Historic Site stand by the water, with forested hills in the background under an overcast sky, offering a glimpse into Tasmania’s convict past just a short drive from Hobart.
  • Ruins of a historic brick building stand in a green, wooded landscape at the Port Arthur Historic Site, with hills and trees in the background under a cloudy sky—an evocative scene often admired on a Port Arthur tour departing from Hobart.
  • A group of people walk along a canal bordered by grassy lawns and trees, with hills and scattered buildings in the background on a clear day, exploring what was once part of the historic site near Hobart.
  • A large historic stone building with ruins stands on a grassy lawn, surrounded by trees and under a cloudy sky. Tourists are visible near the building, exploring the Port Arthur Historic Site just outside Hobart as part of their tour.
  • Two people walk down a paved path towards the ruins of a large historic brick building at the Port Arthur Historic Site, surrounded by green grass and trees under a clear sky near Hobart.
  • A partially ruined stone building stands behind a stone wall, surrounded by grass and bare trees under a cloudy sky—a scene reminiscent of those encountered on a tour of the Port Arthur Historic Site near Hobart.
  • A person with a rucksack walks down a garden path lined with lush green plants, colourful flowers, and trees under a bright sky, enjoying a peaceful tour reminiscent of the scenic landscapes found near Hobart or the renowned Port Arthur Historic Site.
  • People stand on a boat deck looking towards the shore during a tour, with one person pointing at the distant buildings and forested hills near Hobart under a clear sky.
  • Stone arch bridge with several spans crosses over a calm river, surrounded by grass and reeds under a clear blue sky, reminiscent of the scenic landscapes found near Hobart—perfect for those on a tour exploring the Port Arthur Historic Site.
  • Stone bridge over a river with grassy area, historic buildings, and a church surrounded by trees and hills in the background under a partly cloudy sky, evoking the charm of a Hobart or Port Arthur Historic Site.
  • Historic stone buildings of the Port Arthur Historic Site stand by the water, with forested hills in the background under an overcast sky, offering a glimpse into Tasmania’s convict past just a short drive from Hobart.
  • Ruins of a historic brick building stand in a green, wooded landscape at the Port Arthur Historic Site, with hills and trees in the background under a cloudy sky—an evocative scene often admired on a Port Arthur tour departing from Hobart.
  • A group of people walk along a canal bordered by grassy lawns and trees, with hills and scattered buildings in the background on a clear day, exploring what was once part of the historic site near Hobart.
  • A large historic stone building with ruins stands on a grassy lawn, surrounded by trees and under a cloudy sky. Tourists are visible near the building, exploring the Port Arthur Historic Site just outside Hobart as part of their tour.
  • Two people walk down a paved path towards the ruins of a large historic brick building at the Port Arthur Historic Site, surrounded by green grass and trees under a clear sky near Hobart.
  • A partially ruined stone building stands behind a stone wall, surrounded by grass and bare trees under a cloudy sky—a scene reminiscent of those encountered on a tour of the Port Arthur Historic Site near Hobart.
  • A person with a rucksack walks down a garden path lined with lush green plants, colourful flowers, and trees under a bright sky, enjoying a peaceful tour reminiscent of the scenic landscapes found near Hobart or the renowned Port Arthur Historic Site.
  • People stand on a boat deck looking towards the shore during a tour, with one person pointing at the distant buildings and forested hills near Hobart under a clear sky.
  • Stone arch bridge with several spans crosses over a calm river, surrounded by grass and reeds under a clear blue sky, reminiscent of the scenic landscapes found near Hobart—perfect for those on a tour exploring the Port Arthur Historic Site.
  • Stone bridge over a river with grassy area, historic buildings, and a church surrounded by trees and hills in the background under a partly cloudy sky, evoking the charm of a Hobart or Port Arthur Historic Site.

Quick read before you book.

  • Around four and a half hours at the Port Arthur Historic Site
  • Photo stop at the convict built Richmond Bridge
  • Rock formations at Pirates Bay and the coastline at Eaglehawk Neck
  • Harbour cruise past the Isle of the Dead
  • Free optional visit to Remarkable Caves
  • Sweet finish at the Tasmanian Chocolate Foundry

What people say about this operator.

Google Reviews
4.7 Stars|221 reviews

What could be better?

Honestly, not much. It's a full day on the coach, so wear comfy layers and plan your must sees, as some stops are self guided.

Summarised by AI, verify on Google Business Profile before booking

Included in this tour.

  • Guided coach tour with knowledgeable local driver
  • Entry to Port Arthur Historic Site and interpretation centre
  • Cruise on Carnarvon Bay
  • Site talk at Port Arthur

Commonly asked questions.

It departs Brooke Street Pier at 8:45am Sunday to Friday and returns between 5pm and 5:30pm, around eight and a half hours in total.

Check in at the Gray Line day tour desk inside the Brooke Street Pier building at 12 Franklin Wharf, Hobart, at least 15 minutes before departure.

You get around four and a half hours at the Historic Site, including a guided site talk, a harbour cruise and free time to explore.

Coach travel with commentary, Port Arthur Historic Site entry, a guided site talk, the Carnarvon Bay harbour cruise and free WiFi on the coach where available.

Lunch isn't included, but you can buy it at Port Arthur during your free time.

Yes, a free optional visit to Remarkable Caves is included, subject to availability on the day.

An airport drop off can be arranged on request, so ask when you book.

Pick ups are available from most hotels within 2km of the Hobart CBD if arranged at least 24 hours ahead. Pick ups run from 45 minutes before departure.

Tours run in all weather. They are only cancelled for extreme weather warnings, safety issues or road closures, in which case you are refunded.

For sea cliffs and seals as well as the Historic Site, the Tasman Island Cruises full day tour with Port Arthur pairs a three hour cruise with site entry.

Cancel more than 24 hours before departure for a refund. Cancellations within 24 hours of departure, and no shows, are charged the full fare.

Yes. Children aged 4 to 15 travel at a reduced child fare, and children under 7 can't sit in the first two rows of the coach.

Wheelchair accessible coaches are available on this tour if you book by phone at least 48 hours ahead. Wheelchairs are unloaded at stops longer than 15 minutes.

Start with the guided site talk, then head for the Penitentiary and the Separate Prison. Our Port Arthur Historic Site guide helps you plan the rest of your time.

More about this tour.

Port Arthur rewards time, and this tour gives you plenty of it. You get around four and a half hours at the Historic Site, with your tickets sorted before you arrive, so you walk straight in rather than queueing at the gate.The coach leaves Brooke Street Pier at 8:45am, passing Government House and crossing the Tasman Bridge into the Coal River Valley wine region. You stop in Richmond for a photo of the convict built Richmond Bridge, then head down to the Tasman Peninsula for the rock formations at Pirates Bay and the rugged coastline around Eaglehawk Neck.At Port Arthur, start at the interpretation centre, then join a guided site talk through the Penitentiary, the Commandant's House and the church ruins. A short harbour cruise on Carnarvon Bay takes you past the Isle of the Dead, and the rest of the time is yours to grab lunch, wander the gardens or take the free optional trip to Remarkable Caves. On the way home you stop at the Tasmanian Chocolate Foundry, arriving back in Hobart between 5pm and 5:30pm.Want to plan your time on site? Our Port Arthur Historic Site guide covers what to see first. Explore the day, then check availability.

Additional info.

  • Departs Brooke Street Pier, 12 Franklin Wharf, Hobart, at 8:45am Sunday to Friday
  • Hotel pick ups start around 7:45am and need to be arranged ahead
  • Returns to Hobart between 5pm and 5:30pm
  • Lunch isn't included, but you can buy it at Port Arthur
  • The Remarkable Caves visit is optional and subject to availability
  • Wheelchair accessible coaches are available with at least 48 hours' notice by phone