Tasmania — Tasman Peninsula

Port Arthur & the Tasman Peninsula

Australia's most significant convict site, and some of the tallest sea cliffs in the Southern Hemisphere just down the road.

How we operate here: Cooee Tours doesn't run its own vehicles or guides in Tasmania — trips in this region are delivered through trusted local Tasmanian tour operators. We'll help you plan and book, and we're upfront that the on-ground experience is provided by our local partners, not Cooee directly.

Port Arthur Historic Site, around 90 minutes from Hobart on the Tasman Peninsula, was one of the largest convict settlements in the British Empire, operating from 1830 to 1877. It's now Australia's most visited convict heritage site and part of the Australian Convict Sites UNESCO World Heritage listing — dozens of preserved and ruined buildings spread across landscaped grounds on the harbour.

The wider Tasman Peninsula is also worth the trip in its own right, with some of the tallest sea cliffs in the Southern Hemisphere and dramatic coastal rock formations a short drive from the historic site.

1830–1877
Convict settlement operating years
UNESCO
World Heritage listed
~1.5hrs
Drive from Hobart
Sea Cliffs
Among the tallest in the Southern Hemisphere
Highlights

What to See & Do

Heritage

Port Arthur Historic Site

Guided tours through the preserved and ruined convict-era buildings, including the Penitentiary and the Separate Prison, with a harbour cruise included in standard entry.

Heritage

Isle of the Dead & Point Puer

Boat tours to the settlement's burial island and the site of Australia's first purpose-built boys' prison — both bookable as add-ons to a Port Arthur visit.

Nature

Tasman National Park Sea Cliffs

Dramatic coastal scenery including Cape Raoul and Cape Pillar, with some of the tallest sea cliffs in the Southern Hemisphere.

Nature

Tessellated Pavement & Devil's Kitchen

Unusual naturally-tiled rock formations and blowholes along the peninsula's coast, easy stops on the drive out from Hobart.

Plan Your Visit

Official Resources & Local Tours

Since our Tasmania trips run through local partners, these official sources are a good starting point while you're planning.

Port Arthur Historic Site Official site — tickets & tours Hobart Travel Guide Pair with a Port Arthur day trip
Acknowledgement

Traditional Owners

Cooee Tours acknowledges the palawa/pakana people as the Traditional Owners and continuing custodians of lutruwita (Tasmania), including the Tasman Peninsula on which Port Arthur sits — historically associated with the Oyster Bay nation — and pays respect to their Elders past, present and emerging. We also acknowledge the profound and continuing impact of the convict era on this place.

Planning a Port Arthur trip?

Get in touch and we'll help plan your visit through our Tasmanian tour partners.

Enquire Now
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