Port Arthur Historic Site
Port Arthur Historic Site · Tasman Peninsula, Tasmania, Australia
The prison for 'incorrigible' convicts, the best known of the Australian Convict Sites World Heritage properties.
Know before you go
- Don't make noise or joke around taking photos in the memorial garden
- don't press locals about the 1996 tragedy
- don't climb the ruined walls
This article is Not yet verified. Please check official announcements for prices, opening hours and dates.
Stories & people
Stories & people
History
Where repeat offenders were sent
In September 1830 Port Arthur was set up as a timber station supplying wood for government works. From 1833 until 1877 it held 'secondary offenders' — those who reoffended in Australia. To some extent it was a model of the prison reform movement of the time, but the convicts' living conditions and treatment as forced labour remained extremely harsh. In 2010 it was inscribed as a World Heritage Site with 10 other convict sites as the 'Australian Convict Sites'.
Source: Wikipedia: Port Arthur; Wikipedia: Australian Convict Sites
Culture
Culture & customs
Background
Port Arthur was set up in September 1830 as a timber station supplying wood for government projects. From 1833 to 1877 it held re-offending convicts — those who had committed further crimes in Australia and were considered the hardest to control. In some ways it was a model of the prison reform of its day, but the convicts' living conditions and treatment as forced labour were equally harsh. In 2010 it became a World Heritage Site as one of the 11 Australian Convict Sites. In 1996 it was the scene of the worst mass shooting in Australia since colonisation, and there is a memorial garden on site.
Local customs
- The memorial garden on the site commemorates the victims of 1996
- locals prefer not to talk about it
Etiquette
Etiquette & taboos
Rules that apply here
Australian beaches: swim between the red and yellow flags
- Swim only between the red and yellow flags where lifeguards are on duty
- If you don't know the conditions, ask a lifeguard
- Swimming at unpatrolled beaches or outside the flags
Outside the flags there may be rip currents, and lifeguards cannot reach you in time.
Not yet verifiedSource: Surf Life Saving Australia: beach safety signs
Uluru: climbing is not allowed
- Walk the base track around Uluru and learn about Anangu culture
- Climbing Uluru
The climb closed permanently on 26 October 2019; climbing breaks the federal Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act and is punished.
Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park: climb closure
Entering Australia: food, plant and animal products must be declared
- Truthfully declare all food (even small, packaged snacks), plants and animal products on your arrival card
- If in doubt, declare it
- Bringing fresh fruit and vegetables, meat, seeds or wooden souvenirs without declaring them
You can be issued an infringement notice; your visa may be cancelled, you may be refused entry and barred from returning for up to 3 years.
Not yet verifiedSource: Australian Department of Agriculture: travelling to Australia
Don’t DON'T
- Don't make noise or joke around taking photos in the memorial garden
- don't press locals about the 1996 tragedy
- don't climb the ruined walls
Locals appreciate DO
Tasmanians appreciate visitors who explore quietly and keep silent in the memorial garden.
Plan your visit
Practical info
| Best time | Daytime |
|---|---|
| Time needed | Half a day |
Travel tips
- It's about a 1.5-hour drive from Hobart
- tickets include a guided walk and a harbour cruise
- there are 'ghost tours' at night
- the site is large, so allow at least half a day
Photos
Photos
Colin Chick · CC BY-SA 4.0
Anson Brothers · Public domain
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