Port Arthur Historic Site [official]

You need two days to explore this extensive site. Do the ghost tour it’s a must and they guides are great story tellers

5/5 rating for the location but only 2/5 for the ‘Premium’ tour that we had. Amazing and confronting place to visit. So much to take in and learn, we spent a full two days there just soaking it all up and reading all the information that’s made brilliantly available. We did also do the premium tour and tbh that was very poorly hosted and a waste of time and money. We’d have been better off just doing all the free short tours instead as the ‘premium’ tour imparted no additional interesting information, knowledge or insight into those who went through or lived and worked in this brutal environment. Perhaps we just had a guide on a very bad off day but it was really poor. Port Arthur is a fantastic place to visit, just think twice before you spend money on the ‘premium’ tour. (This was our second visit and the last time we did the Isle of the Dead which was interesting .)

We did a tour with JET our tour guide was exceptional His knowledge was very informative A great experience Thank you

I have been previously around 30 years ago. The upgrades to the site are wonderful from the entrance/gift shop right through to boardwalks in buildings and signage. All are wonderful. We also did the cruise and found it so interesting. My son said it was his favourite part of the day. Such a depressing and sad place that is a must see.

Not too bad, well preserved ruins but they seem to try a bit too hard with the back stories. Would be better if there were more actual ruins but all in all pretty good. Was overpriced for what you get and the boat ride around the harbour is a bit of a gimmicky add on.

Must visit in Tasmania since it offers such insight

Came to lutruwita/Tasmania to learn more about my convict ancestry and, although I don't think any of my ancestors were actually at Port Arthur, it was an excellent memorial and introduction to those who were here and what they went through.

A great short tour with a lot of information about Port Arthur Historic site.

Excellent experience. The history of the settlement comes alive when supported by the audtio guide and informative talks available. Download the times of the talks prior to your visit so that you can plan your day to make the most of these. There is a lot to see and it can feel overwhelming to cram it in all at once but as the ticket lasts 2 days it is possible to visit at a more leisurely pace if you are able to. Tickets include the trip around the bay which gives information about the boys prison...a decision to seperate based on good judgement but poorly organised: a sad story. Highly recommend this trip.

Port Arthur Historic Site The site was very clean and tidy, the walk between buildings is considerable and maybe a lot for kids or elderly. It’s a Tasmanian must see for history enthusiasts, however, we noted that indigenous Australians may find it confronting to see no acknowledgement of our existence in Australia prior to colonisation in any of the site, or the genocide that followed. The massacres in the area were some of the most brutal in Australian history, but the whole area and history of the state has been whitewashed. There are monuments all over Hobart to remember the colonists and military figures, but we saw not a single mention in Hobart or Port Arthur, in remembrance of the Indigenous people. We did the ‘Essentials Tour’ (40 mins) which was only $10. The American guide was entertaining and knowledgeable, and he did mention the local Pydairrerme of the Palawa people as predecessors of the area, but if we hadn’t done the paid tour, we wouldn’t have heard any mention at all. We were impressed with but how clean the toilets and facilities were, and although we didn’t eat, there was a fancy restaurant and a really nice looking cafeteria style cafe, with a tray style service. Sandwiches and pies, fish and chips and desserts, and seating area as well as a gift shop. The parking onsite was free but entry was $53 per adult, cheaper for kids and pensioners