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Port Arthur Nature & adventure

Our most recommended Port Arthur Nature & adventure

From Port Arthur: Tasman Island Wilderness Cruise

1. From Port Arthur: Tasman Island Wilderness Cruise

Embark on a cruise that sails beneath the highest vertical sea cliffs in the Southern Hemisphere at Cape Pillar. Discover waterfalls, rock formations, archways and deep-sea caves. Cruise along the coastline which is part of the Tasman National Park. Discover the home of a diverse range of wildlife including hundreds of seals, migrating whales, and abundant sea birds in their thousands. At any time of year, you're likely to see the feeding frenzy of diving gannets, albatross and sea eagles wheeling on the wind, cliff-nesting cormorants and peregrine falcons, or a pod of playful dolphins surfing the bow wave of the boat. Enjoy a cruise on a vessel that has covered open-air tiered seating for an excellent all-round view and connection with the environment.

Tasman Peninsula Day Trip with Cruise & Devils from Hobart

2. Tasman Peninsula Day Trip with Cruise & Devils from Hobart

Experience the highlights of the Tasman Peninsula on a day trip from Hobart. Journey 1.5 hours from Hobart to Port Arthur by a comfortable coach. Enjoy morning tea on the Tasman Peninsula. Climb aboard a custom-built boat for an unforgettable 3-hour wilderness cruise. Explore the spectacular coastline between Port Arthur and Eaglehawk Neck, from rugged sea cliffs to waterfalls, rock formations, archways, and deep-sea caves. You might see seals, migrating whales, seabirds, or even a pod of playful dolphins surfing the boat's bow wave.  At the end of your cruise, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before heading to the Tasmanian Devil Conservation Park. Spend part of the afternoon at the Park before the returning journey to Hobart for hotel drop-off.

Port Arthur: Tour with Isle of the Dead Cruise

3. Port Arthur: Tour with Isle of the Dead Cruise

Cross the Tasman Bridge, and head out on the Tasman Highway over the Pittwater Causeway onto Forestier Peninsula. Admire the pristine beauty of Pirates Bay, Eaglehawk Neck, and Norfolk Bay. Visit Abel Tasman National Park, where you’ll marvel at the spectacle of the Tasman Arch and enjoy superb views of the rugged coastline. You’ll be amazed at the magnitude of the Devil's Kitchen. Explore Port Arthur, where you’ll take a guided walking tour of the historic convict site, with access to over 30 restored buildings and ruins. See the penitentiary, the separate prison, the commandant's house, and the church.

From Hobart: Port Arthur, Richmond, & Tasman Peninsula Tour

4. From Hobart: Port Arthur, Richmond, & Tasman Peninsula Tour

Visit Port Arthur Historic Site, part of the UNESCO World Heritage–listed Australian Convict Sites, on this day trip from Hobart. Learn about the site’s history as a convict colony on a walking tour, visit ruins and restored buildings, and appreciate the coastal scenery of the Tasman Peninsula. Get picked up from your Hobart hotel and start with a visit to the well-preserved colonial village of Richmond. See Australia's oldest bridge and take the chance to grab a coffee from the Richmond bakery. Head south to the Tasman Peninsula and admire Pirates Bay lookout and Tessellated pavements. Upon arrival at the Port Arthur Historic Site, learn the story of the convict settlement and the terrifying realities of life as a prisoner among the preserved jail ruins. Take a cruise of the harbor to see the site from a different perspective, and enjoy extra time to explore on your own. During your return to Hobart, stop at the Port Arthur Lavender Farm for an opportunity to taste lavender ice cream and explore the lavender fields. Finally, discover the geological formations of the Tasman Arch, Devil's Kitchen, and Blow Hole before riding back to your hotel.

From Hobart: Richmond, Tasman Peninsula & Port Arthur Tour

5. From Hobart: Richmond, Tasman Peninsula & Port Arthur Tour

Step inside Australia’s most intact and evocative convict site at World Heritage-listed Port Arthur Historic Site. Unravel the dark history of hardship and punishment as you wander through the ruins and preserved buildings of Port Arthur.  Delve into the dark history of hardship and punishment on a guided introductory tour through the ruins and preserved buildings of Port Arthur. Port Arthur Historic Site is a bucket-list destination for most visitors to Tasmania.  Enjoy a short harbor cruise around the Isle of the Dead and Point Puer, the site of the English colonies' first boy's prison. Enjoy a warm drink, a bite to eat, or sample a local wine or beer.  Get the camera ready for the stunning coastline of the Tasman Peninsula. These soaring sea cliffs will leave a lasting impression. Visit all the highlights like Eaglehawk Neck, Blowhole, Tasman Arch, and Devil's Kitchen.  Explore the quaint historic village of Richmond. Walk over and under the oldest convict-constructed sandstone bridge in Australia, visit the oldest Catholic Church in Australia and peruse the antique shops and galleries. 

Tasmania in 6 Days: the Major Highlights and Attractions

6. Tasmania in 6 Days: the Major Highlights and Attractions

Day one: Port Arthur Historic Site Begin your trip with a pick up around 7:00 AM. After a quick look at Australia’s best preserved colonial village, Richmond, head south to explore Tasmania’s ruthless convict past at the World Heritage listed Port Arthur Historic Site. A guided walk and harbor cruise are included. Rich in visual history, learn of the chilling life of a convict in the restored sandstone prison buildings and preserved ruins. Visit selected geological wonders within Tasman National Park, to top-off a full day on the Tasman Peninsula before returning to Hobart. Day two: Hobart to Strahan Drive through the Derwent Valley. Travel east to west across the island. See the beautiful Russell Falls, walk among the Mt Field National Park tall trees, and visit Australia’s deepest freshwater lake, Lake St Clair. Explore the pristine Franklin-Gordon Wild River National Park and end the day in Strahan, where you will stay overnight. Day three: Wild West Coast  In the untouched wilderness of Tasmania’s West Coast, explore the shifting sands of Henty Dunes. Then continue into the Tarkine Rainforest and walk to Tasmania’s highest waterfall, Montezuma Falls. Stay overnight again in Strahan.  Day four: Cradle Mountain to Launceston  Around 950 meters above sea level is the World Heritage listed Cradle Mountain-Lake St Claire National Park. Here, choose a walk to take. With an extensive range of tracks, you can stroll around Dove Lake or challenge yourself with a hike to Marion’s Lookout. After, take a short drive through Sheffield, the town of murals, to Launceston for your overnight stay.  Day five: Launceston to Bicheno Start the day with a journey to the East Coast and the beautiful Bay of Fires, where the beaches are gleaming and the is water inviting. If the conditions are right, this is the perfect place for a swim and to explore the orange lichen-clad boulders, white sands and turquoise waters of the stunning East Coast. Tasmania’s most scenic coastal drive takes you from St Helens to Bicheno. You will stay overnight at accommodation in Bicheno. Day six: Freycinet National Park to Hobart After breakfast, get ready for an early start to be the first to the Wineglass Bay lookout at the Freycinet National Park. Beat the crowds and the heat for that picture postcard photograph. Relax on a secluded beach or choose the more challenging Mount Amos or Hazards Beach walk. Continue further along the scenic east coast via the seaside towns of Swansea and Orford. Return to Hobart for 5:30 PM. 

Other Sightseeing Options in Port Arthur

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What people are saying about Port Arthur

Overall rating

4.9 / 5

based on 146 reviews

Great guides, very informative and we saw so many dolphins during our tour. Recommend, but be aware of the stinky seals.

Awesome activity. Definitely recommend doing this trip. Food was awesome, crew were fantastic. Bus driver was fantastic.

Lucky to have good weather and winds. Captain Drew and crew Ari were excellent. Scenery was magnificent.

Just so good, wonderful experience, great day all around, thank you peeps from Pennicott Tours.

The trip was wonderful. An incredibly unique view of the Tasman peninsula. The time flew by.