From Wikitravel

Port Arthur is a small town and former penal settlement on the Tasman Peninsula in Tasmania, the island state of Australia. The town is about one and a half hours drive from the state capital Hobart.

It is home to the Port Arthur Historic Site, a magnificent site preserving a rich slice of the former British colony's rich convict heritage. Port Arthur is today an amazing assemblage of colonial ruins and restored buildings, set amid 40 hectares (100 acres) of English oaks and open space. At as Apr 2007 there is an entrance fee of $25AUD for adults.

[edit] Understand

Port Arthur was first established as a timber station in 1830, supporting the infant colony of Van Diemen's Land. It became the site of a major penal (prison) colony for male convicts from 1833, a place of secondary punishment for re-offenders, in the 19th century era of convict transportation to Van Diemen's Land (the former name of Tasmania). It very quickly gained a reputation as a "hell on earth". At its peak in the late 1840s, Port Arthur became a near self-sufficient settlement, driven by the labour of its tormented inmates. Ultimately, after a couple of decades of decline in the 1850s and 1860s, Port Arthur finally ended its days as a penal settlement in 1877.

In 1996 Port Arthur became the site of Australia's most deadly gun massacre when a single shooter opened fire on visitors, killing 35 people. Memorials to those who died can be found at the site.

[edit] Get in

Port Arthur is located about 100 km south-east of Hobart on the Tasman Peninsula. Motorists should allow at least 1.5 hours to enjoy the scenic drive along the Tasman and Arthur highways. It is recommended that you allow 4-6 hours, preferably an overnight stay to fully appreciate the Historic Site and the many visitor services on offer.

To enter the site bypassing the visitor centre, there is a small bush track near the second and third parking area, a little up form the lookout. The bushwalk down the slight slope will take about one minute and will take you directly into the site.

[edit] Get around

Having arrived at Port Arthur, most people view the ruins on foot.

A ferry can take you to the Isle of the Dead. Well worth it if you make one of the tours of the island.

For the less mobile traveller, Visitor Centre facilities allow for independent access, including the Café, Restaurant, Gift Shop, Interpretation Gallery and Rest Rooms. The remainder of the Historic Site comprises a variety of areas, some of which provide independent access, and others which require assisted access. Disabled parking is provided adjacent to the Visitor Centre entry. A courtesy buggy provides a regular drop off and pickup service around the site for disabled visitors. (Enquire on arrival, at the information counter, for times of operation).

[edit][add listing] See

The grounds and ruins at Port Arthur are open from 8:30am until sunset. The Visitor Centre is open from 8:30am until the conclusion of Historic Ghost tours at night.

[edit][add listing] Do

• Go on the Historic Ghost Tour [1] of Port Arthur. It is a fantastic experience and one not to be missed. The tours are 90 minutes long. Each night except 24th and 25th December, departing from the Visitor Centre. Adult $14.00, child $8.60, family $36.30. Bookings are essential. A steady nerve is recommended and tours are not cancelled for rain.

• Just outside the historic site, you will find Tasman Island Cruises, Arthur Highway, Port Arthur, ☎ (03) 6250 2200 (info@tasmancruises.com.au), [2]. The company operates 3 hour eco-cruises to Tasman Island from Port Arthur daily all year round. The tours cruise the stunning coastline of the Tasman Island National Park and boast seal sightings and have also had regular dolphin and whale sightings. The staff are excellent and it's not to be missed when in the area.

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[edit] Learn

• Visiting Port Arthur will allow the traveler to gain an incredible insight into Australia's convict heritage

[edit][add listing] Buy

[edit][add listing] Eat

• Felon's Restaurant [3]

[edit][add listing] Sleep

[edit] Contact

[edit] Stay safe

[edit] Cope

[edit] Get out

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