Tasman Peninsula Day Tour: Port Arthur & Sea Cliffs from Hobart

Walk Australia's Highest Sea Cliffs, Then Explore a Convict Prison

You leave Hobart early, walk 2km along sea cliffs to Tasman Arch, then spend four hours exploring Port Arthur's convict-era buildings and taking a harbour cruise. On the return, you stop in Richmond to walk across Australia's oldest bridge. Small groups, professional guides, and all entry fees included. You're back by 6pm.

Step-by-step itinerary

Tasman Peninsula and Port Arthur tour

• Depart early from Hobart
• View Pirates Bay Lookout
• Pass Eaglehawk Neck and The Dogline
• Walk Waterfall Bay cliff top track
• See Tasman Arch and Devil’s Kitchen
• Explore Port Arthur Historic Site
• Enjoy Harbour Cruise at Port Arthur
• Listen to Port Arthur Experience podcast
• Attend site talks by expert guides
• Visit Richmond Village
• Walk across convict-built sandstone bridge
• Return to Hobart by 6pm

Stops and time spent at each 2 stops

1. Port Arthur 4h
2. Richmond Village 45m

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup from Hobart, professional tour guide and interpretation, Port Arthur Historic Site entrance fee, the harbour cruise around the Isle of the Dead, access to 'The Port Arthur Experience' podcast, complimentary expert talks at Port Arthur, and all National Park fees for the Tasman Peninsula. Small group size is maintained throughout.

Times

• Monday to Friday 07:30

Another time? ›

Before you book

Group Up to 20

Live guide English

Meeting point and pickup No hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point. 4 with pickup ›

Book up to 8h before

Ages Adult (8 to 90 years) · Under 8: can't be booked

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

Operated by Tours Tasmania

Prices and times updated today

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The experience

So you've got the day free and you're standing in Hobart wondering what to do with it, and honestly, this is the one. You leave early, drive straight to the Tasman Peninsula, and within a couple of hours you're standing at Pirates Bay Lookout staring at cliffs that drop straight into the ocean. The drive from Hobart takes you through Eaglehawk Neck, and your guide will tell you the stories as you pass (the Dogline, the convict history, all of it), so you're not just looking at a landscape, you're reading it.

Then comes the Waterfall Bay Cliff Top Walk, which is about 2 kilometres and takes 45 to 60 minutes. It's graded easy, but it's undulating, so you're moving up and down the whole way, and the views don't stop. The track ends at Tasman Arch and Devil's Kitchen, these wild rock formations that look like something from another planet. You're walking the whole time, but it's the kind of walk where you stop every few minutes anyway because the view pulls you to a standstill.

After that you arrive at Port Arthur Historic Site, and you get four hours to move around on your own. Your entry includes a harbour cruise around the Isle of the Dead (which sounds darker than it is, it's actually quite moving) plus access to 'The Port Arthur Experience', a podcast that walks you through the site's history, and talks from the expert guides throughout the day. The penitentiary is the main building, and you can walk through the solitary confinement cells and see the whole open-air museum. It's a World Heritage site, and the history is heavy, but it's also the reason you came.

On the way back to Hobart you stop in Richmond, a historic township that's small enough to walk around in 45 minutes. There's a convict-built sandstone bridge (still in use, supposedly haunted), and a lolly shop and chocolatier if you want to stop for something. You're back in Hobart around 6pm, so you've had a full day without arranging transport, park tickets, or timing any of it yourself.

Top questions

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 long is the clifftop walk?

The Waterfall Bay Cliff Top Walk is 2 kilometres and takes 45 to 60 minutes. It's graded easy but undulating, with views of Tasman Arch and Devil's Kitchen at the end.

What's included in the Port Arthur entry?

Entry fee, a harbour cruise around the Isle of the Dead, access to 'The Port Arthur Experience' podcast, and complimentary talks led by Port Arthur's expert guides throughout the day.

How much time do you spend at Port Arthur?

Around 4 hours. That gives you time to walk through the penitentiary, solitary confinement cells, and explore the open-air museum at your own pace.

What time do you return to Hobart?

Around 6pm.

Is there a minimum age?

Yes, minimum age is 8 years.

How long is the Richmond stop?

About 45 minutes. You can walk across the convict-built sandstone bridge, visit the lolly shop or chocolatier, or have a coffee.

What's the fitness level required?

You should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness. The clifftop walk is easy grade but undulating, and there's a small amount of walking throughout the day.

Are group sizes limited?

Yes, groups are kept small and friendly.