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Here are some more great ideas to help you plan and enjoy a special family day at Port Arthur any day of the year.
If you’re visiting during school holidays, check out our hands-on activities.
Activities for the Kids
Grab a kid’s activity book
Discover the hidden stories of Port Arthur through the ‘Hidden
Stories’ Activity Book. This activity book is a great way for children
to explore the site and learn about Port Arthur’s history as they search
for answers, complete puzzles and collect stamps.
The activity book is free of charge and suitable for ages 8-12. Ask
for a copy at the ticketing desk when you arrive at the Port Arthur
Visitor Centre.
Visit the Semaphores
Above the Commandant’s and Accountant’s houses are replica
semaphores. Semaphores were operated by convicts to communicate messages
from Port Arthur to Hobart. See the model semaphore in the Asylum
Museum to find out how these messages were sent.
Go for a short bushwalk
Take 30 minutes to follow the Convict Water Supply trail learning
the history of the settlement’s water supply, mill’s water wheel, the
recent stories of the land and network of transport routes.
Travel further walking along the Stewart’s Bay track which starts
from beyond the Dockyard. Find the beaches where women and children
bathed away from the prying eyes of the penal settlement’s inhabitants.
Get to know a real convict
Playing the Lottery of Life in our Convict Gallery provides an
opportunity for visitors to follow the life of one of the Port Arthur
Penal Settlement’s convicts. Every visitor receives a playing card
depicting one Port Arthur Convict. As you move through the gallery, you
will discover clues about the identity and life story of that person.
Then see how they might have spent their time at Port Arthur, with our
displays of the various activities and occupations undertaken by
convicts.
Discover the Museum and Convict Study Centre
Children and adults alike will be fascinated by the hundreds of
original artefacts on display in the Museum housed in the Asylum
complex. In the same building, visitors can search the Convict Study
Centre database for their own links to Port Arthur’s 19th century
inhabitants.
Explore the Museum Houses
Visiting the furnished Museum Houses can
provide wonderful opportunities for children to compare today’s
technology and architecture with that from the 19th and 20th centuries.
Visit the Dockyard
The Dockyard is
a short walk along the waterfront. Through an imposing sculptural piece
and intriguing soundscapes children are able to enter the world of the
men who worked in one of Port Arthur’s main convict era industries.
Things to Know
Be prepared
Parents of very young children are encouraged to pack a pram, as
exploring the Site’s wide open spaces can be very tiring for youngsters.
Prams are also available for hire at the Visitor Centre.
Felons Bistro
Felons has a dedicated children’s menu which is very popular with families. Reservations are essential, freecall 1800 659 101.
Taking children on Ghost Tours
The suitability of Ghost Tours for
children generally depends on the age and ‘stage’ of your children.
Ghost Tours are popular with older children however if your child is
very young, very active or tends to suffer with nightmares, then Ghost
Tours may not be suitable. If your child is disruptive to the tour, your
guide will request that you leave the tour.
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