Port Arthur Travel Guide

 
by The_Downunder_Mob
 
  •   Things to Do
    by The_Downunder_Mob
  • MAIN PENITENTIARY BUILDING AT PORT ARTHUR
      MAIN PENITENTIARY BUILDING AT PORT...
    by DennyP
  • CHURCH (DESICRATED) PORT ARTHUR..
      CHURCH (DESICRATED) PORT ARTHUR..
    by DennyP
  • The Governor's residence - Port Arthur
      The Governor's residence - Port Arthur
    by al2401
  • All that is left of the Broad Arrow Cafe
      All that is left of the Broad Arrow Cafe
    by balhannah
 

Pro

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  Learn about the Australian prison system 


Con

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  Haven't found one. 


In a nutshell

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  Go see this historical place! 

 

Explore Port Arthur

Things to Do  

The Isle of the Dead - Port Arthur

The Isle of the Dead - Port Arthur, Port Arthur

 The_Downunder_Mob Says:  The Isle of the Dead, originally called Opossum Island, was chosen for the graveyard of Port Arthur by the Rev. John Manton in 1833. Of the 100 people buried there most were convicts. Convicts were forbidden headstones and were buried in the lower southeast part of the... 

Port Arthur penal settlement

Port Arthur penal settlement, Port Arthur

 The_Downunder_Mob Says:  The Port Arthur penal settlement started in 1830 as timber camp but soon became important in the penal system. In the first years the bush was cleared and ship building, smithing, brick making and other trades were established. In the 1840's, with a convict population of... 

Pirates Bay Blowhole

Pirates Bay Blowhole, Port Arthur

 AusPinay Says:  An area of dramatic geological landscapes, this area is another gem which can only be found in Tasmania. We've seen other blowholes, this one may not be that great but nevertheless the significance of the formations and the diverse resources around it are memorable.As... 

Isle of the Dead

Isle of the Dead, Port Arthur

 ATXtraveler Says:  Within the Port Arthur Historic Site is a small island, known as the Isle of the Dead. This place is also known to some as Opossum Island, but was renamed when the island was converted into a burial ground for the convicts that passed away in Port Arthur. This little island... 

Isle of the Dead

Isle of the Dead, Port Arthur

 al2401 Says:  The Isle of the Dead, originally called Opossum Island, was chosen for the graveyard of Port Arthur by the Rev. John Manton in 1833. Of the 100 people buried there most were convicts. Convicts were forbidden headstones and were buried in the lower southeast part of the... 

Port Arthur Penal Settlement

Port Arthur Penal Settlement, Port Arthur

 al2401 Says:  The Port Arthur penal settlement started in 1830 as timber camp but soon became important in the penal system. In the first years the bush was cleared and ship building, smithing, brick making and other trades were established. In the 1840's, with a convict population of... 

LOTTERY OF LIFE

LOTTERY OF LIFE, Port Arthur

 balhannah Says:  The Lottery of Life is an Interpretation Gallery at the visitor's centre. On paying your entrance fee, you are given a playing card, mine happened to be the ten of hearts.In the gallery, you wander around the excellent displays until you find a cut out of "your convict" with... 

HOSPITAL & ASYLUM AT PORT ARTHUR

HOSPITAL & ASYLUM AT PORT ARTHUR, Port Arthur

 balhannah Says:  More 'modern' than the Hospital, the Asylum was capable of housing 100 mentally ill patients at a time. Built to a cruciform shape, the wings were occupied by dormitories around a central mess hall. The building was flanked by two 'L' shaped buildings comprising a Keepers'... 

THE 'CHURCH'

THE 'CHURCH', Port Arthur

 balhannah Says:  I think this is one of the most beautiful buildings at Port Arthur, it probably is one of the most photographed!Built in 1836/37 by convict builders in a gothic style, it is set on a hill overlooking the convict settlement. Quite large, it was never consecrated due to its... 

Hotels  

Stewarts Bay Lodge

 78 Opinions

Comfort Inn Port Arthur

 3 Reviews and 44 Opinions  The hotel is situated next the Historic Site of Port Arthur. 

Restaurants  

The Mussel Boys: I Didn't See Any Mussels! :)

The Mussel Boys: I Didn't See Any Mussels! :), Port Arthur

 saraheg77 Says:  After our day at the Port Arthur Historic Site, we were staying at the Comfort Inn right near it - there didn't seem to be many restaurants around, but I remembered passing a place not long before we got there that looked quite nice. I think I found it appealing partly... 

THE MUSSEL BOYS: Seafood with the Convicts

THE MUSSEL BOYS: Seafood with the Convicts, Port Arthur

 Wisxox Says:  After a long day of touring the Prison system in Port Arthur a good meal is needed. After looking in town not much was there. We decided to drive north that evening and in only a few minutes found this gem. A very down to earth, friendly place, with some ambiance. We found... 

Transportation  

Isle of the Dead or Point Puer Ferry

Isle of the Dead or Point Puer Ferry, Port Arthur

 ATXtraveler Says:  When you arrive at Port Arthur, you will need to make a decision on how long you are planning to spend here, and which activities you wish to participate in. If you choose and of the three excursions which include a boat ride, you will head down to the ferry pier where this... 

Getting to Port Arthur

Getting to Port Arthur, Port Arthur

 kooka3 Says:  Port Arthur is on the Tasman Peninsula, about 60 miles/100 km south-east of Hobart.Driving is probably the best way to get there if you can rent a car. Allow at least 1.5 hours to enjoy the drive, longer if you want to check out some of the sites along the way (well worth... 

Local Customs  

"DOO TOWN" NEAR PORT ARTHUR

"DOO TOWN"  NEAR PORT ARTHUR, Port Arthur

 balhannah Says:  On the way to Tasman's Arch etc., is the holiday village of Doo town. Most of the home owners have named their homes Doo?????. The 1st home named was DOO LITTLE, since then there has been ......GUNADOO... DOODLE DOO... LOVE ME DO........DO US....... DOO ME........ DOO... 

Warnings Or Dangers  

April 28th, 1996

April 28th, 1996, Port Arthur

 ATXtraveler Says:  If you are heading to Port Arthur, let me please give you a word of warning prior to going. A tragedy of epic proportions occurred at the Port Arthur facility on April 28th, 1996. Please do not bring this up with the tour guides, as they will likely not respond favorably.... 

Tourist Traps  

Expensive devils at Tasmanian Devil park

Expensive devils at Tasmanian Devil park, Port Arthur

 Bickers72 Says:  The Tasmanian Devil park just down the road from Port Arthur at Taranna http://www.tasmaniandevilpark.com/index.html. Overpriced. UnderstockedWe recently visited here. There are only about 10 devils in residence. The place is small with only a few exhibits and not worth the... 

What to Pack  

Packing List - August

Packing List - August, Port Arthur

 ATXtraveler Says:   August can get a bit chilly in Tasmania, so in particular when you are visiting Port Arthur where most of the activities are outdoors, warm clothing is a requirement. There is not much separating Port Arthur from Antarctica, so bring a nice warm coat, and possibly even... 

Off The Beaten Path  

Sorell & Midway Point

Sorell & Midway Point, Port Arthur

 balhannah Says:  Located 26ks from Hobart, this is a service town for the surrounding grain, dairy, and sheep farming district. In 1874, the causeway was completed. Its situated on a large expanse of water called the Pittwater, looked good for water sports. There seemed to be a lot of... 

St. John the Baptist Church @ BUCKLAND

St. John the Baptist Church @ BUCKLAND, Port Arthur

 balhannah Says:  Buckland is a small town located quite close to Port Arthur.St John the Baptist Church is a stopping off point because of the history of its East window. We stopped and went inside and had a look, and the stained glass windows are lovely.The Church was built in 1846, and the... 

Sports & Outdoors  

Insane Asylum Exercise Yards

Insane Asylum Exercise Yards, Port Arthur

 ATXtraveler Says:  If you really want to get your fitness in while touring the Port Arthur facility, then your best bet is to walk in the old prison's insane asylum fitness yards. Similar to a maximum security facility's isolation, this particular location had individual yards for prisoners to... 

 
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The Place

Plan a Port Arthur vacation with reviews, tips and photos posted by real travelers and Port Arthur locals

Experience Port Arthur
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The People

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 When you are in Port Arthur, you should do a Ghost Tour. You will go through a part of the Historic Site. The guide will tell you a story about the Ghosts. The... 

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Top Port Arthur Writers

1

CONVICT SETTLEMENT

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 Probably some of you didn't know that Port Arthur is a small town! Port Arthur, Tasmania was once a home to over 12,500 convicts and provided the severest form of punishment for difficult prisoners... 

2

Get a sense of the history

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 Port Arthur is the first place in Australia that I got a real sense of the history of the place. I was awe-struck and saddened by the experience - wandering where the convicts were imprisoned, worked,... 

3

More than Just a Jail!

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  Port Arthur is the main town on the a lovely little Tasman peninsula that has a very narrow attachment to the mainland. This must be why it was chosen as a prison site, but it is also a beautiful...... 

4

Port Arthur - Convict's Retreat

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 How do you get free labour when building your empire? Send your population halfway around the world for free slave labour by sending your convicts! People who were convicted of stealing as little as... 

5

Port Arthur Gateway to Freedom

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 Port Arthur was a prison founded in 1828 to deal with the tougher cases from around Australia. A new model system of isolation, and hard labor was instituted here. The prisons were also given training... 

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