Port Arthur day trip from Hobart: History, chocolate and harbour
You choose how deep to go into Port Arthur's penal history, or trade three hours there for a detour to Remarkable Cave.
A full-day guided tour from Hobart to Port Arthur Historic Site on Tasmania's Tasman Peninsula, with entry and a harbour cruise included. The route stops at Pirates Bay Lookout, the Dog Line monument, Tasmanian Chocolate Foundry and a lavender farm on the way. At Port Arthur itself, you pick between a four-hour self-guided exploration of the convict settlement or a three-hour visit followed by a trip to Remarkable Cave to see the sandstone cliffs and bay views. The return to Hobart includes a stop at Forty Two Degrees in Dunalley to watch oyster shucking and sample fresh seafood. Pickup from eight locations around downtown Hobart is included. The bus departs at fixed times and does not wait.
Options for this experience
2 optionsWhat’s included
- Pickup from your chosen Hobart location.
- air-conditioned coach transport.
- stops at Pirates Bay Lookout, Dog Line monument and Tasmanian Chocolate Foundry.
- Port Arthur Lavender Farm visit (30 or 60 minutes, your choice).
- entry to Port Arthur Historic Site with self-guided audio experience.
- 20-minute harbour cruise at Port Arthur.
- stop at Forty Two Degrees to watch oyster shucking and sample fresh seafood on the return to Hobart.
Times
- Every day except Saturday 09:30
Before you book
Operated by Tassie Tours Tasmania
Prices and times updated today
Traveler reviews
The experience
You start from one of eight pickup points around Hobart, boarding the air-conditioned coach at 9:30 AM for the drive to the Tasman Peninsula. The route builds in three stops before Port Arthur itself: first, Pirates Bay Lookout at Eaglehawk Neck, where you get out to take in the water and the rock formations; then the Dog Line monument, a historic marker with its own story; and the Tasmanian Chocolate Foundry, where you can buy local treats. After that comes the Port Arthur Lavender Farm, where you choose to spend 30 or 60 minutes walking the scenic trails and browsing handmade lavender products.
You arrive at Port Arthur Historic Site around 11:40 AM with entry and a 20-minute harbour cruise already paid for. From there, the afternoon splits into two paths. The four-hour option lets you move through the site at your own pace with a self-guided audio experience, exploring the convict buildings, ruins and the water views without a fixed schedule. If you take the three-hour option instead, you rejoin the bus and drive eight minutes to Remarkable Cave, where 115 steps lead down to a viewing platform inside ancient sandstone cliffs overlooking Maingon Bay and Penguin Rocks. The bus then returns to pick up the four-hour group before heading back to Hobart.
On the return journey, you stop at Forty Two Degrees in Dunalley to watch an Australian oyster-shucking champion at work and sample fresh seafood while you relax. The bus arrives back in Hobart at 5:30 PM. The tour runs eight hours total, and the schedule is fixed. The bus departs on time from Port Arthur and Hobart both, with no waiting if you are late to a pickup or a return point.
Is this one for you?Choose the four-hour Port Arthur option if you want to move through the convict site without rushing, or pick the three-hour visit plus Remarkable Cave if you'd rather see both the penal history and the coastal cliffs in a single afternoon. The fixed departure times mean the day holds together without you managing the schedule, but you'll need to be on time for pickups and returns.
Compare the 7 alternatives
Top questions
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Youth (2 to 3 years); Child (under 2).
What is the Dog Line and why do we stop there?
The Dog Line is a historic monument on the Tasman Peninsula that marks an important site in Port Arthur's convict history. The stop gives you a chance to see the landmark and take photos of the surrounding scenery on the drive to Port Arthur.
Is lunch included on this tour?
Food and drinks are not included in the ticket price. You can buy treats at the Tasmanian Chocolate Foundry and fresh seafood at Forty Two Degrees in Dunalley on the return, but you'll need to budget for meals or bring your own.
How much time do I actually spend at Port Arthur Historic Site?
You arrive around 11:40 AM and choose either four hours to explore the convict ruins and buildings at your own pace, or three hours before the bus takes you to Remarkable Cave instead. Both options include entry and a 20-minute harbour cruise.
What is Remarkable Cave like, and is it worth the three-hour option?
Remarkable Cave is a natural sandstone formation overlooking Maingon Bay, with views of Penguin Rocks from the lookout. You descend 115 steps to a viewing platform inside the cave itself. It's a short eight-minute drive from Port Arthur, so choosing the three-hour site visit plus the cave means you see both the penal history and the dramatic coastal scenery in one day.
Can I pick my own pickup location in Hobart?
Yes, the tour offers eight pickup locations around downtown Hobart. When you book, you select the one that suits you. Pickups begin 35 minutes before the 9:30 AM departure, so arrive early. The bus will not wait if you are late.
What happens if I miss the return bus from Port Arthur?
The bus departs Port Arthur at a fixed time and does not wait. If you miss it, you'll need to arrange your own transport back to Hobart, so allow time to return to the pickup point before departure.
Port Arthur day trip from Hobart: History, chocolate and harbour
8h · EN · at your hotel
from AU$ 50 per person
≈ US$ 36 in your currency
Next, you choose your date and number of travelers and see the final price.