Tourism Industry Coincil Tasmania

Port Arthur is a peaceful community built on history, survival, and strong kindred spirits. Do not be fooled by our size, as this township and region will leave you in wonderment. What lies within our boundaries, are some of the most breathtaking landscapes you will ever see. Immerse yourself in everything that Port Arthur has to offer.

The land, its natural resources and abundant waters at Port Arthur was utilised by the Pydarereme people of the Paredareme language group for thousands of years. Nowadays, Port Arthur is more famous as the secondary penal station after the Europeans arrived in the region. It is named after George Arthur, lieutenant governor of Van Diemen’s Land. The settlement started as a timber station in 1830 and thrived ever since.

A small town with a population of just 251 people, Port Arthur is a strongly bonded community, built on adversity and strength. Come with me as we start our escape into one of the most picturesque and culturally significant towns, Tasmania has to offer – Port Arthur.

Port Arthur is located on Tasman Peninsula, which is about 90 kilometres southeast of Hobart. It takes about an hour and half to drive here from Hobart via Arthur Hwy/A9, or 3 hours to drive from Launceston via National Highway 1 and Arthur Highway/A9. If you are arriving in Devonport on the Spirit of Tasmania, add an extra 50 minutes’ drive from Devonport to Launceston before arriving here.

Immerse yourself in its tranquility and splendor and all it has to offer. History is in abundance here. The World Heritage-listed Port Arthur Historic Site is one of the must-see destinations in Tasmania. If history is your cup of tea, be sure to go further to explore the lesser known but just as significant Coal Mine Historic Site. Beyond that, you can see and even to walk on top of the highest vertical sea cliffs in the Southern Hemisphere. Dramatic coastlines of caves and towering sea stacks, can be explored both by cruising with Pennicott Wilderness Journeys' Tasman Island Cruise or by Osborne Heli-Tours. It's your choice. Encounter wildlife at Tasmania's only Unzoo, where you are being observed by the wildlife that roams the bushland freely. Sunsets, sunrises your explorations are endless.

After all this exploring and mesmerising splendor, sit back and enjoy some local cuisine. If you are a seafood lover, then be sure to stop by Blue Lagoon in Dunalley to pick up some freshly locally farmed oysters. Try the truly Tasmanian fish and chips from the Port Arthur Lavender Farm. And of course, a Lavender Indulgence ice-cream with a bit of everything as your desert. Not forgetting a drop of the world award-winning sloe gin from McHenry Distillery. If you're an art lover, then add the Pear Shed Gallery to your list. Have your morning or afternoon tea in the pear orchard whilst appreciating the amazing artwork produced by local artisans and artists. After experiencing the natural and historic beauty of the region, you will certainly appreciate why the Port Arthur locals are so talented. Port Arthur is filled with such an array for all travelers alike. We hope that when you leave us, a little piece of our grandeur will go with you.

For young couples and families who are stressed by modern technology and busy city lives, Port Arthur is truly a natural escape. In just 90 minutes’ drive from Hobart, there are as much, or as little, as you would like to do in Port Arthur and the surrounding region.

“A Quick Escape”- one-day itinerary:

• Eaglehawk Neck- Pirates Bay Lookout and Cubed Espresso van (30 minutes)
• World Heritage-listed Port Arthur Historic Site (allow 3-4 hours at a minimum) or
• Tasman Island Cruise with Pennicott’s Wilderness Journeys (3-hour cruise)
• Remarkable Cave and Maingon Bay Lookout (30 minutes)
• Lavender Farm or Rosedale Homestead for lunch (1 hour)
• Eaglehawk Neck - Tasman Arch/ Devils Kitchen/ Blowhole (30 minutes)
• Dunalley Bay Distillery or Bangor Vineyard or Hellfire Bluff Distillery (30 minutes)

*Dining and Accommodation options are available throughout the Tasman Peninsula

“The Escape Route”- two-day itinerary:

• Eaglehawk Neck- Pirates Bay Lookout and Cubed Espresso van (30 minutes)
• Eaglehawk Neck- Tessellated Pavement and Dogline Quarters (30 minutes)
• Eaglehawk Neck- Tasman Arch/ Devils Kitchen/ Blowhole (30 minutes)
• Optional: Waterfall Bay walk from Devils Kitchen (1.5-2 hours return)
• Lunch: Rosedale Homestead or Lavender Farm (1 hour)
• World Heritage-listed Port Arthur Historic Site (allow 3-4 hours at a minimum), consider dinner and a Ghost tour (available Thurs, Fri, Sat)
• Overnight stay at a local Tasman Peninsula accommodation property
• Tasman Island Cruise with Pennicott’s Wilderness Journeys (3-hour cruise)
• Remarkable Cave and Maingon Bay Lookout (30 minutes)
• McHenry’s Distillery (30-45 minutes)
• Lunch: Peninsula Café or Port Arthur General Store or Pickers Pantry White Beach (one hour)
• Optional walk: Cape Raoul (5 hours return) or Shipstern Bluff (4 hours return) or a quick walk to the look out (2 hours return)
• Dunalley Bay Distillery or Bangor Vineyard or Hellfire Bluff Distillery (30 minutes)

*Dining and Accommodation options are available throughout the Tasman Peninsula

“The Great Escape” – three-day itinerary:

• Eaglehawk Neck- Pirates Bay Lookout and Cubed Espresso van (30 minutes)
• Eaglehawk Neck- Tessellated Pavement, Dogline and Officers Quarters (30 minutes)
• Eaglehawk Neck- Tasman Arch/ Devils Kitchen/ Blowhole (30 minutes)
• Optional: Waterfall Bay walk from Devils Kitchen (1.5-2 hours return) or
• Optional: Walk to Cape Hauy starting from Fortescue Bay (4hours return)
• Lunch: Lavender Farm (1 hour) or Port Arthur General Store (30 minutes)
• World Heritage-listed Port Arthur Historic Site (allow 3-4 hours at a minimum), consider dinner and a Ghost tour (available Thurs, Fri, Sat)
• Overnight stay at a local Tasman Peninsula accommodation property
• Tasman Island Cruise with Pennicott’s Wilderness Journeys (3-hour cruise)
• Remarkable Cave and Maingon Bay Lookout (30 minutes)
• Optional Walk: Crescent Bay (3–4 hours return)
• McHenry’s Distillery Radnor (30-45 minutes)
• Lunch: Peninsula Café or Pickers Pantry White Beach (1 hour)
• Pear Shed Gallery and/or Bylanders Collective Gallery (30-45 minutes)
• Optional walk: Cape Raoul (5 hours return) or Shipstern Bluff (4 hours return) or quick walk to the lookout (2 hours return)
• Overnight stay at a local Tasman Peninsula accommodation property
• Roaring Beach (45 minutes)
• Coal Mines Historic Site (1 hour) and Sloping Main/Limestone Bay (45 minutes)
• Impression Bay Distillery (30 minutes)
• Lunch: Rosedale Homestead /animal park and museum or Blue Seal Café (1 hour)
• Osborne Aviation Tours (15-30 minutes)
• Unzoo (1-2 hours)
• Tasman Honey (30 minutes)
• Optional Tour: Back Track Buggys (2 hours)
• Optional: Marion Bay E-bike tours located in Dunalley (variable time)
• Dunalley Bay Distillery or Bangor Vineyard or Hellfire Bluff Distillery (30 minutes)

*Dining and Accommodation options are available throughout the Tasman Peninsula