Port Arthur Historic Site: Tasmania's World Heritage Convict Precinct

Port Arthur Historic Site on the Tasman Peninsula, about 90 minutes from Hobart, is one of Australia's most significant historical places and part of the Australian Convict Sites World Heritage Listing. The site preserves the ruins of the former penal settlement that housed thousands of convicts transported to Van Diemen's Land from Britain and Ireland between 1833 and 1877. Key structures include the Penitentiary, the Asylum, the Model Prison, the Church ruins and the Isle of the Dead cemetery accessible by boat cruise. Entry includes a guided walking tour and a harbour cruise. The historic ghost tour, run on most evenings, is a popular addition. Booking in advance is recommended, particularly in summer and school holidays.