Port Arthur Historic SiteAbout Port Arthur Historic Site
Port Arthur Historic Site is a former 19th-century penal settlement on the Tasman Peninsula in Tasmania, Australia, notable for its intact convict-era structures and archaeological remains. It is one of the best-preserved convict sites in Australia and is part of a World Heritage serial listing.
The site contains extensive ruins and restored buildings, including the large convict penitentiary, the Separate Prison, workshops and a visitor centre with museum displays. Interpretation focuses on the operation of the penal settlement, the built fabric of the site and the funerary landscape on the nearby island burial ground.
Constructed and expanded by convict labour under British colonial administration, the settlement operated as a penal station through much of the 19th century and played a central role in the history of convict transportation to Tasmania. The place later became a heritage and tourist site with ongoing conservation and archaeological programs.
Located on the Tasman Peninsula, the historic site sits on a sheltered coastal inlet about 100 kilometres southeast of Hobart by road. The surrounding landscape is coastal with bays, cliffs and forested peninsular terrain.
- World Heritage status: Included as part of the Australian Convict Sites World Heritage serial listing of 11 locations inscribed in 2010.
- Tours and access: Guided tours and short boat transfers to the Isle of the Dead operate from the visitor precinct and are the primary ways to access key historic areas.
What to See#
- Penitentiary: A large convict-era masonry complex whose ruined cellblocks and outer walls form one of the most recognisable elements of the site; major construction dates to the mid 19th century.
- Separate Prison: A purpose-built building embodying the separate confinement system used in the 19th century, notable for its radial cells and interior arrangement.
- Isle of the Dead: A small offshore burial island used during the site’s operating period to inter convicts, military personnel and settlers; reached by short boat transfer from the mainland site.
- Visitor Centre and museum: On-site interpretation facilities with museum displays, historic building restorations and guided tours that explain the site’s convict-era history and archaeology.
Nearby Attractions to Port Arthur Historic Site
Best Time to Visit Port Arthur Historic Site
Summer offers the warmest weather and full program of activities; shoulder seasons (autumn and spring) balance weather and smaller crowds.
Weather & Climate near Port Arthur Historic Site
Port Arthur Historic Site's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in February) and cold winters (coldest in July). Temperatures range from 5°C to 20°C. Moderate rainfall (810 mm/year), distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Good | 11° - 19° | 15° | 60 mm | partly cloudy | 75% | 6.4 m/s | 2.2 extreme | 14.8h |
| February | Very Good | 12° - 20° | 16° | 54 mm | partly cloudy | 76% | 6.4 m/s | 1.8 very high | 13.7h |
| March | Good | 11° - 18° | 15° | 56 mm | overcast | 77% | 5.8 m/s | 1.2 high | 12.2h |
| April | Good | 9° - 16° | 13° | 66 mm | overcast | 78% | 5.6 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 10.7h |
| May | Acceptable | 8° - 14° | 11° | 69 mm | overcast | 80% | 4.9 m/s | 0.2 low | 9.5h |
| June | Acceptable | 6° - 11° | 6° | 64 mm | overcast | 82% | 4.7 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.8h |
| July | Acceptable | 5° - 11° | 5° | 82 mm | overcast | 81% | 5.2 m/s | 0.2 low | 9.1h |
| August | Acceptable | 6° - 12° | 6° | 89 mm | overcast | 80% | 5.4 m/s | 0.3 low | 10.2h |
| September | Acceptable | 7° - 13° | 7° | 63 mm | overcast | 78% | 5.9 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 11.6h |
| October | Good | 8° - 15° | 11° | 64 mm | partly cloudy | 77% | 5.9 m/s | 1.2 high | 13.1h |
| November | Good | 9° - 16° | 13° | 70 mm | overcast | 77% | 6.2 m/s | 1.7 very high | 14.5h |
| December | Good | 10° - 18° | 14° | 73 mm | overcast | 76% | 6.1 m/s | 2.2 extreme | 15.2h |
How to Get to Port Arthur Historic Site
Port Arthur Historic Site is on the Tasman Peninsula, Tasmania. Drive about 90 km from Hobart via the Arthur Highway (A9); regular coach services and tour operators also run day trips from Hobart. Parking is available at the site; the visitor centre is adjacent to the main ruins.
Tips for Visiting Port Arthur Historic Site
- Arrive early for the first guided tour to avoid crowds and catch soft morning light on the ruins.
- Take the harbour cruise included with many tickets - it gives the best perspective on the prison's island setting.
- Wear a windproof layer; southern Tasmania is frequently cool and gusty, even on sunny days.