Port Arthur full-day tour from Hobart: Harbour cruise & caves

Nine hours to walk the ruins and cruise the convict graveyard

A full-day guided tour from Hobart to Port Arthur Historic Site with harbour cruise, Remarkable Caves, and Richmond Village stop. The tour includes hotel pickup, air-conditioned transport, admission to the site, a 30-minute cruise around the Isle of the Dead, and a visit to the Tasmanian Chocolate Foundry on the return. Lunch is not provided but can be purchased on-site or brought with you. The driver guide offers live commentary and complimentary site talks are available throughout the day.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Port Arthur and Surroundings

• Travel across Tasman Bridge
• Photo stop at Richmond Bridge
• Visit Pirates Bay Lookout and Tasman Arch
• Join site talk at Port Arthur
• Browse Port Arthur Gallery exhibits
• Cruise Carnarvon Bay around Isle of the Dead
• Enjoy picnic or purchase lunch
• Walk down to cave mouth
• Visit Chocolate Factory on return

Stops and time spent at each 2 stops

1. Richmond Village 15m
2. Port Arthur Entry included 4h 30m

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in Hobart.
• air-conditioned vehicle with live commentary from a local driver guide.
• admission to Port Arthur Historic Site.
• 30-minute harbour cruise around the Isle of the Dead.
• complimentary site talks throughout the day.
• visit to Remarkable Caves and Maingon Bay Lookout.
• photo stop at Richmond Village and the convict-built Richmond Bridge.
• entry to the Tasmanian Chocolate Foundry.

Times

• Every day except Saturday 08:30

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Before you book

Group Up to 100 · max 9 per booking 1 private ›

Live guide English

Audio guide Spanish, French, German, Italian, Chinese and Japanese

Meeting point and pickup Hotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point. You can choose from 37 pickup points.

Ages Adult (15 and older) · Child (4 to 14 years) · Infant (under 4): free

Cancellation and refunds Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund. It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Good to know

Moderate physical effort Stroller-friendly Infant seats available Public transport nearby Infants must sit on laps

Operated by Experience Tasmania Gray Line Day Tours

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The experience

The day starts with a drive across the Tasman Bridge into the Coal River Valley, stopping at Richmond Village for photos at the convict-built Richmond Bridge. From there the route heads toward the Tasman Peninsula, passing Pirates Bay Lookout and Tasman Arch before arriving at Port Arthur itself. The site occupies most of the afternoon: enough time to join one of the complimentary talks about the restored Penitentiary, Commandant's House and Church, browse the Port Arthur Gallery with its interactive exhibits, and take the 30-minute harbour cruise around Carnarvon Bay to the Isle of the Dead. You can bring your own lunch or buy from the visitor centre's options.

On the return to Hobart, the tour includes a walk through Remarkable Caves, where a boardwalk leads down to the mouth of the cave so you can feel the force of the waves against the rugged coastline. The final stop is the Tasmanian Chocolate Foundry, where you can watch hand-forged Belgian chocolate being made and browse the gift shop. The whole day runs nine hours with an experienced local driver guide providing live commentary throughout.

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 14 years); Infant (under 4): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How much time do I actually spend at Port Arthur itself?

Port Arthur Historic Site is the centrepiece of the day, with several hours to explore the restored buildings, join complimentary talks, visit the gallery, and take the harbour cruise around the Isle of the Dead. The itinerary is designed to give you as much time as possible at the site rather than rushing between stops.

What is the Isle of the Dead and why is there a cruise around it?

The Isle of the Dead is the convict graveyard in Carnarvon Bay at Port Arthur. The 30-minute harbour cruise takes you around it as part of the tour, giving you a connection to the history of the convicts who were imprisoned at the site.

Can I bring my own food, or do I need to buy lunch on-site?

You're welcome to bring your own lunch and eat from the landscaped grounds at Port Arthur. If you prefer to purchase food, the visitor centre has several options available, though these are not included in the tour price.

Is the Remarkable Caves visit included, or is it optional?

The Remarkable Caves tour is optional and free to join on the return journey to Hobart. The walk takes you down to the mouth of the cave where you can experience the power of the waves on the rugged coastline.

What happens at the Chocolate Factory stop?

The Tasmanian Chocolate Foundry is the final stop before returning to Hobart. You can watch hand-forged Belgian chocolate being made and browse the gift shop, though purchases are not included in the tour price.

Does the tour include hotel pickup in Hobart?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off in Hobart are included. The driver guide will collect you from your accommodation and return you at the end of the nine-hour day.