Once Britain's harshest penal colony, Port Arthur is now Tasmania's most visited historic site — a hauntingly beautiful open-air museum of sandstone ruins set against wild coastal headlands.
Ships anchor in Carnarvon Bay and run tenders directly to a dedicated jetty inside the Port Arthur Historic Site grounds.
💡 Pro move: Ships typically arrive 06:00–07:00 and depart 16:00–17:00. Return tenders become busy 30–60 min before all-aboard — plan your return accordingly.
There is no cruise ship pier — all ships tender into the Port Arthur Historic Site's dedicated jetty in Carnarvon Bay.
| Cruise Line | Typical Berth / Arrival | Dock or Tender |
|---|---|---|
| Princess, Holland America, Carnival, P&O Australia | Tender jetty, Port Arthur Historic Site📍 | Tendered |
| Small expedition ships | Tender jetty, Port Arthur Historic Site📍 | Tendered |
Most passengers spend their day inside the World Heritage Historic Site, but optional add-ons — island tours, wilderness cruises, and wildlife parks — make for a full day.
The centrepiece of any call here. Explore the Penitentiary, Convict Church, Commandant's House, and the chilling Separate Prison — where inmates wore hoods and were forbidden to speak. Standard General Entry is AUD 55 adult, AUD 27.50 child or AUD 44 concession, including a 20-minute harbour cruise and free 10–15 minute guide talks. The separate 45-minute Essentials Tour is AUD 65 including entry; it is not included in the AUD 55 ticket.
Book Port Arthur Historic Site tickets →The Isle of the Dead package is AUD 85 adult or AUD 42.50 child (ages 3–16), including Port Arthur entry, return ferry and a 45-minute guided cemetery tour; allow about 65 minutes in total. Published departures are 12:30, 13:15 and 14:45. Booking is essential; confirm your actual slot, subject to capacity and weather. The island is outdoors with no services or shelter and gradients up to 1:8; contact the operator about mobility suitability. Children aged 17 and under must be accompanied by an adult.
Book Isle of the Dead tour →Pennicott Wilderness Journeys runs small eco-boats under some of the highest sea cliffs in the Southern Hemisphere, past blowholes and rock formations, with frequent sightings of seals, dolphins, and sea eagles.
Book Tasman wilderness cruise →About 10 minutes' drive from the Historic Site, the Unzoo at Taranna offers hand-feeding wallabies, Tasmanian devil encounters, and native bird shows in a reserve setting — no cages, just roaming wildlife.
Find Tasmanian wildlife tours →Discover the boys’ story at ‘Little Depraved Felons: The Boys of Point Puer’, an interactive exhibition at the main Port Arthur Historic Site, included with General Admission and tour tickets. Check the operator’s current programmes and visitor availability when planning your visit.
Explore current Point Puer exhibition →Almost all walking is self-contained within the 40-hectare (100-acre) Historic Site, but a coastal trail leads to a lovely beach nearby.
Pick up a map at the Visitor Centre and wander between the Penitentiary, Separate Prison, Gothic Church ruins, Guard Tower, and waterfront — all within easy walking distance. A golf cart shuttle is available for those who need it.
📍 Open in MapsA well-marked trail from the Historic Site leads through coastal bush to Stewarts Bay, a sheltered sandy beach. The water is cold but clear; the scenery is postcard-worthy and usually crowd-free.
🗺️ See full route in Maps →Climate normals for Port Arthur, Tasmania, Australia (2014–2023 averages). Pack for the month you sail — highs, lows, and how many rainy days to expect.
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Rainy Days | Sunrise | Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 69°F / 21°C | 56°F / 13°C | 10 | 5:47 AM | 8:48 PM |
| Feb | 67°F / 19°C | 56°F / 13°C | 10 | 6:28 AM | 8:17 PM |
| Mar | 66°F / 19°C | 55°F / 13°C | 10 | 7:04 AM | 7:31 PM |
| Apr | 62°F / 17°C | 52°F / 11°C | 10 | 6:40 AM | 5:37 PM |
| May | 57°F / 14°C | 49°F / 9°C | 12 | 7:14 AM | 4:56 PM |
| Jun | 54°F / 12°C | 47°F / 8°C | 11 | 7:39 AM | 4:39 PM |
| Jul | 54°F / 12°C | 45°F / 7°C | 11 | 7:36 AM | 4:53 PM |
| Aug | 54°F / 12°C | 45°F / 7°C | 12 | 7:04 AM | 5:23 PM |
| Sep | 57°F / 14°C | 47°F / 8°C | 12 | 6:12 AM | 5:57 PM |
| Oct | 60°F / 16°C | 49°F / 9°C | 13 | 6:19 AM | 7:31 PM |
| Nov | 62°F / 17°C | 51°F / 11°C | 13 | 5:36 AM | 8:11 PM |
| Dec | 65°F / 18°C | 53°F / 12°C | 13 | 5:23 AM | 8:44 PM |
Source: Open-Meteo ERA5 (10-yr daily averages)
Transport options from the pier — taxis, shuttles, transit passes, and whether ride-share apps work here.
Cruise ships anchor in the bay and tender passengers directly to the Port Arthur Historic Site jetty. No additional transport is needed to reach the main attraction.
General Entry is AUD 55 adult, AUD 27.50 child or AUD 44 concession, including a 20-minute harbour cruise and free 10–15 minute guide talks. Children aged 17 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Open 9am–5pm daily; closed Christmas Day. Select your actual entry and tour times, and arrange mobility assistance with the operator if required.
Full-day guided tours from Hobart include PAHS entry, the harbor cruise, and stops at regional highlights like Richmond and the Remarkable Cave. Ideal for ships departing from Hobart.
A 3-hour tour of the Tasman Peninsula covering Devil's Kitchen, Tasman Arch, the Blowhole, and local farms. Note: PAHS entry is not included in this excursion.
Pre-booked taxis and hire cars can reach Port Arthur from Hobart (approx. 100 km / 1.5 hrs). No rideshare apps operate at the site itself.
Upcoming cruises that call at Port Arthur, Tasmania, Australia. Dates, prices, and ports of call change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking.
Itineraries and prices change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking. Some links are affiliate links that may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.
Other cruise ports within about 250 km.