Rug up well and get out amongst it this winter! Dark MoFo and
the Festival of Voices have shown us that winter can be fun, so let the
fun continue!
Port Arthur has lots of dark corners and stories to explore, and you'll receive a warm welcome to the chills and thrills!
During the day there are fascinating places, incredible tours and
activities, quirky local markets, tracks to explore on invigorating
walks and cosy firesides to snuggle up to and enjoy great food and wine
as a reward for your exertions.
Port Arthur Ghost Tour
The original and still the best, the Port Arthur Ghost Tour has been
thrilling guests for nearly 30 years. This is living history - new
stories are added all the time, so if it's been a while, it's definitely
time to go again.
Your guide will lead you into the darkness by lamp light and regale you
with tales of strange and unexplained happenings and experiences.
Being winter, it gets dark early, so you'll be finished in plenty of
time to head back to the fireplace in Felons Bistro to warm up with a
delicious meal and bottle of local wine.
The tour lasts 90 minutes and operates every night.
More on the Port Arthur Ghost Tour.
A group undertaking a Paranormal Investigation Experience at Port Arthur visit the Senior Surgeon's BasementParanormal Investigation Experience
The history of ghostly sightings at Port Arthur goes
back to the late 1800’s when the writer George Gruncell wrote of a
number of strange events that occurred at the Parsonage in the 1870s.
Today, the Port Arthur Historic Site is believed by many to be one of
the most haunted places in Australia, as the many thousands who have
experienced our Ghost Tour would probably agree.
The Paranormal Investigation Experience allows participants to take
readings and measurements and provides the opportunity to judge first
hand whether the ghost stories are true. The tours will also contribute
valuable information to our extensive database of paranormal activity. -
The late-night, adults-only Paranormal Investigation Experience is offered at Port Arthur on the last Saturday of each month.
Daytime Tours at Port Arthur
Any time of year is a good time to visit the Port Arthur Historic Site, and winter is no exception.
The fascinating guided tours, harbour cruise and Isle of the Dead
Cemetery Tour operate year-round and explore our furnished houses and
historic buildings.
Explore the Separate Prison, which has been the subject of an
extensive conservation and interpretation project and experience the
intense isolation that was the grand nineteenth century experiment in
finding a better way not just to punish convicts, but to reform them.
If the weather turns a bit nasty, there are lots of indoor activities,
museum houses, two cafes and many other buildings to explore until the
showers pass.
Here's everything you need to plan your visit to Port Arthur
Check out the Coal Mines
The World Heritage-listed Coal Mines Historic Site is about half an
hour's drive from Port Arthur, up past Saltwater River on the
northwestern tip of the Tasman Peninsula.
Tasmania's first operational mine, it was established as both a place of
formidable punishment and to provide a much-needed fuel source to the
growing colony.
Today its ruins lay half-hidden in the bush, a tantalising reminder of
our colonial past. It is also considered one of Tasmania's great short
walks and will reward visitors with peace and quiet, a range of native
flora and fauna as well as its heritage.
Pick up a printed visitor guide from the Port Arthur Visitor Centre, rug up and head out on another adventure. Please read this before you go to the Coal Mines
More to explore
Port Arthur is just one part of the Tasman Peninsula story and there is plenty of adventure and fun on offer in the area.
- Join a coastal cruise to see soaring sea cliffs and amazing wildlife
- Discover stunning natural formations like Remarkable Cave, The Devil’s Kitchen, the Tessellated Pavement and Tasman Arch
- Walk along secluded beaches
- Hike along bush tracks to see breathtaking, cliff-top views
- Visit the Eaglehawk Neck Historic Site, home of the infamous Dog Line
- Tour the Convict Trail, via Nubeena, Premaydena, Saltwater River, Koonya and Taranna
Plan to spend a night or two in the area so you don't have to rush - check our range of itineraries and ideas for more fun and adventure on your Port Arthur escape.
Local markets
I f you are planning to visit us during a weekend you’d be unlucky to
not strike at least one of the many markets as you journey down to or
from the Tasman Peninsula.
Meet and support locals tending stalls that provide organic seasonal
produce, pickles and jams, bric-a-brac, plants, local art & craft
and more for the bargain hunter.
Markets are held:
- Sorell Market , Sorell Memorial Hall, Gordon St, Sorell – Every Sunday
Bream Creek Farmers Market, Bream Creek Showgrounds, Marion Bay Rd – 1st Sunday of every month
Eaglehawk Neck Community Market, Arthur Hwy, Eaglehawk Neck – 2nd Saturday of every month
Nubeena Market, Nubeena Recreation Ground, Clark St, Nubeena – 3rd Saturday of each month
Food and wine
After exploring Port Arthur, you can treat yourself to a tasty snack or meal in our cafés or dinner at Felons Bistro.
There are two excellent cafés at the Port Arthur Historic Site—the Port
Café in the Visitor Centre and the Museum Coffee Shop, located in the
Asylum building. Both cafés are fully licensed and open daily.
Felons Bistro in the Port Arthur Visitor Centre, open every night from
5.30pm, is committed to serving you some of Tasmania’s finest produce
and wherever possible we source it from local growers and producers.
Be tempted by the Felons Bistro menu and wine list
Find somewhere cosy to stay and plan your Port Arthur escape.
There is a wide variety of accommodation available in the region,
from luxury self-contained cabins with amazing views, to cosy colonial
era B&Bs to caravan parks and camping grounds as well as hotels and
motels.
Browse the accommodation options near Port Arthur to find somewhere to suit your budget and taste.
Or you can phone us - we are your friendly local experts at the Port
Arthur Visitor Information Centre - and we will be happy to answer your
questions, offer suggestions and assist you with bookings and
activities.
Call us on 03 6251 2371