Port Arthur Historic Site 2-Day Pass
Overview
- Port Arthur UNESCO World Heritage site 2-day pass
- Tour one of Australia's best-preserved convict sites
- See more than 30 historic buildings and ruins
- Take a guided introductory walking tour and harbor cruise
- Visit the Lottery of Life Convict Gallery, Museum and Convict Study Centre and Dockyards
You may visit and participate in the included attractions and activities in whichever order you prefer, but it’s suggested that you begin with the 40-minute introduction tour to orient yourself with the site and hear about the background of the penal colony and its prisoners. Then catch the MV Marana for a 20-minute harbor cruise, listening to onboard narration as you view the Dockyards, Point Puer Boys Prison, the Isle of the Dead Cemetery and Tasman National Park from the water.
In order to provide an educational yet entertaining way to explore the site, you’ll be given a ‘convict playing card’ with your pass. Use it to follow the life story of one of Port Arthur’s past prisoners, learning what he did to become incarcerated, his specific journey to the penal colony and what life was like for him and others in 1800s Australia and Britain.
Visit the Dockyards, where prisoners built high-quality ships in the 1830s, and listen to a ‘soundscape’ to hear sounds and voices from the active yard, making you feel like you’ve gone back to the 19th century. Then journey along the Convict Water Supply Trail, learning about the colony’s flour-production operation, and visit the Museum and Convict Study Centre to find out if any of your ancestors are in the prisoner database. In the old Asylum building, learn more details about life as a convict, and then check out the Commandants House and Junior Medical Officers House to see how the other side lived.
Reviews
Viator Traveler's Reviews
If planning to spend one day there, the entry site pass provides you with a guided tour a must, free access to all on mainland and a guided boat tour of around the islands e.g. Isle of the dead. Could easily spend two days there one was all we had time for....a unique experience. The drive to Port Arthur was also full of breathtaking views if you take the few minutes to drive off the main roads for some truly breathtaking views.
Very happy with the whole day. Really enjoyed the boat building and blacksmith area with sound effects. Loved the cruise but wished we had booked the the Isle of the Dead. The talk was informative and helped us navigate our way around. We will return again because of course we did not leave enough time.
The Site itself is a must do experience and the initial walk through with the guide puts everything in place. The ferry ride takes about 20 minutes but we decided to take the optional tour of the Isle of the Dead. The tour guide was most informative and some of the stories he told were enough to put a chill up your spine. Also they estimate that 1100 to 1200 people are buried on the island but they are not quite sure where they are all buried so it is most likely the path you take walks over some of the bodies that are buried there. I was waiting for a hand to come out of the ground and grab an ankle. It will take a couple of days to see all the out buildings, worth the effort. advertisements is under
We enjoyed our visit to Port Arthur Historic Site, which included a guided short walk and a short cruise. You could see most of what's on offer in one full day or break it up over two days as we did. The Bronze ticket price (which is the cheapest available and what we bought through Viator) is available as a two day pass only. We had a lovely time there.