Holiday and Travel information for Port Arthur

Port Arthur is the site of Australia’s largest penal colony. It is situated on the Tasman Peninsular around sixty kilometres south east from Hobart. In its early days it was the most feared destination for convicts being shipped to Tasmania in Australia as it was the place where the most hardened English and Irish criminals were deported to. The penal colony at Port Arthur was established in 1833. Port Arthur employed the harshest security devised by the British penal system at the time. The Tasman Peninsular itself was a natural security region with the peninsula at Eagle Hawk Neck being only 30 meters wide it was east for the authorities to guard and water surrounded the rest of the colony. The authorities spread rumours of dangerous shark infestations in these waters to prevent escape by water.

Today, the ruins of the Port Arthur site attract tens of thousands of tourists to see the historical remains of a time that was important in the early history in the nation of Australia. The surrounding environment is particularly beautiful with spectacular coastal scenery and the unique Australian wildlife is abundant. Port Arthur has excellent tourist facilities with plenty of guided tours, restaurants and cafes. Because of it’s close proximity to Hobart, it is the ideal destination for a day away. You can travel by coach, which takes about 90 minutes, take an organised day tour or even visit from Hobart by ferry which provides a scenic cruise along the estuary of the Derwent River system.

In 1996 the past horrors of the Port Arthur region were revisited when Martin Bryant went on a shooting rampage through the ruins and the tourist area and shot 56 people, 35 of whom were killed. This atrocity led to Australia redefining its firearms laws on a national basis and the banning of handguns, shotguns and semi automatic rifles.

Port Arthur is one of Australia’s most important historic locations and is a tourist destination that should not be missed.