Port Arthur & Isle of the Dead Day Trip from Hobart

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Free cancellationTravelers' pick

1/17

Duration9h

GroupUp to 100

LanguagesEN

PickupAt your hotel

Convict tales, windswept ruins & Carnarvon Bay cruise from Hobart

You’ll walk through Port Arthur’s haunting ruins, listen to local guides share convict tales, cruise across Carnarvon Bay to explore the Isle of the Dead cemetery, and maybe even taste fresh chocolate before heading back to Hobart. It’s not just history — it’s feeling every step echo with old stories.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Port Arthur and Tasman Peninsula

Travel across Tasman Bridge
Photo stop at Richmond Bridge
Drive to Pirates Bay Lookout
Explore Port Arthur Historic Site
Take Carnarvon Bay cruise
Join guided Isle of the Dead tour
Optional Remarkable Caves tour
Visit Chocolate Foundry on return

The Experience

Ever wondered what it actually feels like to stand in a place where so many stories started and ended? The Port Arthur day trip from Hobart kind of crept up on me — I thought I was just ticking off a UNESCO site, but then we rolled through Richmond Village and our driver pointed out that old stone bridge (convict-built, still holding strong) and suddenly it felt real. There’s something about Tasmanian light — cold but not unfriendly, even when the wind comes in sideways off the water. We stopped at Pirates Bay Lookout, and honestly, I nearly lost my hat to the wind. Worth it for that view though.

Port Arthur itself is bigger than I expected. You get your entry ticket and then you’re free to wander — past crumbling walls, down paths that smell faintly of salt and eucalyptus. I joined one of those short site talks; a woman named Sarah explained how the solitary cells worked (not as dramatic as TV makes it out, but somehow sadder). Lunch was casual — there’s a café if you want it or you can bring your own and find a bench under some old trees. I tried to picture what it sounded like here 150 years ago. Not sure why, but the silence now made it feel heavier.

The Carnarvon Bay cruise was next — gulls everywhere, cold spray on my face. Our guide on the Isle of the Dead tour had this dry humor about him; he called out names from headstones with this odd mix of respect and mischief. I tried repeating one in my best attempt at an old convict accent (bad idea), which got a laugh from a couple standing nearby. The stories stick with you more than any photo does.

If you’ve got energy left after all that walking, they’ll take you down to Remarkable Cave for free — not everyone did it, but I’m glad I did. The waves echo inside like thunder trapped in stone. On the way back to Hobart we stopped at this chocolate place; you can watch them making everything by hand behind glass. Smelled so good inside I nearly forgot how tired my legs were. Sometimes travel days blur together but this one keeps popping up in my head when things go quiet.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off from selected Hobart hotels, entry tickets for Port Arthur Historic Site with access to guided site talks and interactive displays, a scenic harbour cruise across Carnarvon Bay plus a guided walking tour on the Isle of the Dead — all wrapped up with optional stops at Remarkable Cave and a chocolate foundry before heading home.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Experience Tasmania Gray Line Day Tours