Port Arthur On Your Own
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Port
Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
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Activity Level
Moderate
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Excursion Type
23
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Wheelchair Accessible
No
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Starting At
$159.95
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Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
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Duration
8 Hours
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Meals Included
Meals not included
Board a motorcoach and drive along the wild and scenic Tasman Peninsula. You'll stop at the lookout at Pirates Bay for a commanding view of Eaglehawk Neck and the peninsula's stunning east coast.
Drive across Eaglehawk Neck -- the isthmus that is the natural gateway to the peninsula. In the 1830s, the British posted guard dogs here to prevent Port Arthur prison's convicts from attempting to escape.
Continue to infamous Port Arthur. From the 1830s to the 1870s, more than 12,000 convicts passed through this correctional facility. Your knowledgeable guide and the exhibits at the Visitor Center provide a behind-the-scenes look at the penal colony's history and workings. Explore the open-air ruins and more than 30 restored buildings, which include the Commandant's house and Smith O'Brien's house.
Wander through the early colonial gardens, which have been beautifully restored.
Time permitting, you will board the mv Marana for a harbor cruise.
Enjoy lunch on your own at one of the sites cafes (own expense)
Heading back to Hobart, stop to admire some interesting landforms -- either the Tessallated Pavement, Tasman's Arch, or the blowhole and the Devil's Kitchen.
Notes:
Lunch is not included. You will have time to purchase lunch at your own expense during the tour. Participants must negotiate stairs or a ramp to access the ruins. Walking is on even, grassy surfaces and uneven, unpaved terrain. Some of the ruins have cobblestones, uneven flooring and steps, and narrow doorways. Tour does not operate on holidays. Wear comfortable walking shoes.