Explore Tasmania’s ruthless convict past at the World Heritage Listed historic site on this Port Arthur day tour.
During our day we'll explore colonial village Richmond and the famous Port Arthur prison where we'll join a guided tour, take a harbour cruise and allow plenty of time to explore Australia’s best heritage attraction.
Includes
- Air-Conditioned Vehicle
- Knowledgeable/Experienced Guide
- Small Group Adventure
- Visit Port Arthur
- Learn about Tassie's Convict History
- See Colonial Village Richmond
- Guided Scenic Walks
- Harbour Cruise
- Accommodation Transfers
- Port Arthur Entry Fees
- Airconditioned Transport
- Trip length: 1 Day
- Group size: Max 20
- Start: Hobart
- End: Hobart
- Vehicle: Airconditoned 4WD Mini Bus
- Sleep: Non
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Physical Demand:
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Comfortlevel:
Itinerary
Join us for a fun, action-packed day on the Tasman Peninsula — explore, discover and learn with our guides through a variety of walks, sightseeing and history.
We make an early start from Hobart and drive to the stunning Tasman Peninsula, home to Australia's highest sea cliffs. Enjoy panoramic coastline views from Pirates Bay Lookout, a great perspective on the area's geology and the difficulties faced by escaping convicts. Passing through Eaglehawk Neck and 'The Dogline', your guides share fascinating stories before we begin one of Tasmania's Great Short Walks: a spectacular 2 km track along the Waterfall Bay cliff top (45–60 minutes, easy but undulating), concluding at the remarkable rock formations of Tasman Arch and Devil's Kitchen.
Continuing on, we arrive at the Port Arthur Historic Site, with around 4 hours to explore. Entry includes a complimentary Harbour Cruise around the Isle of the Dead, 'The Port Arthur Experience' podcast, and complimentary guided site talks. Discover the grim history of the early Australian penal system and the isolation experienced by convicts in this "inescapable prison" — walk among the main penitentiary, see the solitary confinement cells and many more buildings in this World Heritage open-air museum.
On the return to Hobart, we travel via the historic township of Richmond, with time to meander the streets, stop for coffee, visit the lolly shop and chocolatier, and walk across Australia's oldest bridge still in use — a convict-built sandstone bridge, reported to be haunted! We arrive back in Hobart around 6:00pm.
Reviews
4.9
Based on 290 reviews
Verified from
Real reviews from travellers who've done this tour, gathered from around the web and paraphrased.
AI summary of 290 reviews
Travellers consistently praise the guides and drivers for their friendliness, knowledge and engaging delivery of local history and information, with many noting that the commentary made the journey more enjoyable and educational than they anticipated. The most frequently highlighted strengths are the guides' ability to keep passengers entertained through humour, personal anecdotes and local facts, combined with punctual pickups and drop-offs, convenient multiple pickup points in Hobart, good value for money, comfortable vehicles, and thoughtful stops at scenic locations and points of interest along the way. The most common caveat relates to the time allocated at Port Arthur itself, with some travellers feeling that either four hours was insufficient to see everything at the historic site, or conversely, that the balance between travel time and site time could be improved, though most found the allotted time adequate for the main attractions including the guided tour, boat cruise and independent exploration.
How we collect and publish reviews
Where they come from. Our reviews are gathered from independent review sites and from guests who share feedback with us directly after their trip. They come from people who have actually travelled on the tour.
Why some are edited. Many of our guests travel in their second or third language. Where a review is hard to read, we lightly edit spelling, grammar and punctuation, or paraphrase a sentence for clarity. We never change the rating, the meaning or the sentiment, and we never write a review on a guest's behalf.
Reading the originals. Reviews sourced from public review sites appear there in their original form, and can be read in full at their original source at any time.
“Really glad I picked the 4 day!!!”
On the Port Arthur day of a multi-day tour, guide Mark was good but the reviewer felt there wasn't quite enough time to properly do the site justice if you want to go into every building, read all the signs and take the harbour ferry too - though for most visitors the time given is probably sufficient. She recommends the ferry, which loops around the Isle of the Dead with commentary along the way, describing it as a smooth, short ride with a café on board.
“Unforgettable day in Tasmania”
We had a lovely day. Patrick was our tour guide and driver and he was extremely organized and caring. We had a magnificent day. Adding the unzoo experience is highly recommended as well.
“A peaceful and wonderful trip to Port Arthur.”
A wonderful, peaceful trip to Port Arthur guided by Sky, who was knowledgeable and professional. She kept the bus rides quiet, only speaking up when she had something genuinely worthwhile to share, and the bus itself was clean and uncrowded. Overall an excellent experience.
A great Port Arthur day tour with guide Mark, who kept everyone informed and involved throughout, and had the group laughing along the way.
“Highly recommend Pascal!”
Pascal was punctual with every pick-up and drop-off, making the logistics stress-free, and brought deep knowledge of Port Arthur and the wider Hobart area attractions. His great sense of humour kept the day lively and engaging throughout, making for a memorable and satisfying trip.
“Loved Port Arthur”
An absolutely fabulous day at Port Arthur with an informative guide who was very interactive with their small group. The beautifully kept heritage site impressed, and the inclement weather actually added to the moody atmosphere of the day.
“Thanks so much Lauren and Mulgas!”
My friends and I had a wonderful time on our Mulgas tour! Lauren was an excellent tour guide and kindly picked us up at the airport despite a delayed flight. We enjoyed weekend of hiking, camp fires and sleeping out in swags, creating memories we will cherish for a lifetime.
“Thanks so much Lauren and Mulgas!”
My friends and I had a wonderful time on our Mulgas tour! Lauren was an excellent tour guide and kindly picked us up at the airport despite a delayed flight. We enjoyed weekend of hiking, camp fires and sleeping out in swags, creating memories we will cherish for a lifetime.
The reviewer highly recommends the Port Arthur excursion, calling it an exceptional day. Their driver Gérard was a fantastic guide who made the day truly memorable.
“Do it!!”
Thanks Andrew for letting me have an ultimate Oz experience, and I would say what a great experience! From Aboriginal stories to geological insight, I had the best moment there. Discovering this wild part of Australia is stunning and Mulgas knows how to deliver it! They accommodate your needs even in the middle of nowhere - I would definitely recommend them if you seek adventure (hikes, sleeping under the sky, campi fire).
“Our day at Port Arthur - a piece of history came alive for us”
The reviewer really enjoyed their Port Arthur day with guide Rob, whose enthusiasm for the places and sights made the experience more meaningful. The sites are well maintained and easy for first-timers to get around, helped along by Rob's explanations, and the day was well paced with enough time at each stop. They'd happily recommend Tassie Tours and Rob to friends and family.
A fantastic and interesting day trip to Port Arthur with amazing scenery, including a must-see stop at Remarkable Cave. Guide Mark was friendly and informative, and the tour comes highly recommended.
A lovely day on the Port Arthur tour with a friendly driver and great stops along the way, capped off with a drop-off at the airport on the way home. Highly recommended.
“Absolutely great and recomendable”
The tour was great and the guide was very much after making it a great experience to everyone!
The Port Arthur tour with Tassie Tours had a small, well-organised group, but the highlight was guide Mark - fun, full of interesting trivia, and great at engaging everyone by name from the moment they boarded the minibus. The reviewer, who was feeling sleepy during the tour, said being called by name kept bringing their focus back, and rated him the best guide they've had.
“Informative, Entertaining, and Unforgettable”
Bryony was an outstanding guide for the Port Arthur tour - knowledgeable, engaging and full of interesting insights. Her storytelling brought the site's history to life, and her humour kept things relaxed and enjoyable throughout. A memorable and worthwhile visit from start to finish.
“Gray is the best!”
Guide Gray, a Tasmanian local whose family goes back generations on the island, made this the highlight of the reviewer's Tasmania trip with his knowledge, first-hand stories, and friendly, accommodating manner. The tour includes Port Arthur admission and strikes a good balance between guided time and time to explore alone, including the option to join Gray's group for a drive to Remarkable Cave. Door-to-door pickup and drop-off added to the convenience, and the drive back at golden hour was especially memorable. As a solo female traveller, she felt safe throughout and would recommend it especially to other solo travellers.
“Top Tassie Tours”
The reviewer's second Tassie Tours outing was the Port Arthur trip, following on from a Tahune Airwalk and Hastings Caves day the day before. Gray guided both days, and his insider knowledge as a Tasmanian born and bred came through strongly. They enjoyed both days and would highly recommend Tassie Tours.
“A flawless experience from start to finish!”
Joined the Port Arthur, Tasman Sights and Harbour Cruise tour and rated it among the finest guided experiences in decades of travel. Guide Rob was exceptional - deeply knowledgeable, professionally calm, well-timed, funny and attuned to the group, delivering history with clarity and heart. Every one of the 13 guests agreed he was one of the best guides they'd had, and Tassie Tours itself impressed with seamless communication, thoughtful pacing, comfortable transport and a well-designed itinerary.
Pascal blew the reviewer away with his enthusiasm and knowledge on the Port Arthur tour, sharing a refreshingly objective history of Tasmania in an engaging way that showed how much he loves it. Four hours at Port Arthur felt both overwhelming and not quite enough, but she couldn't recommend the tour highly enough.
“It's a must to do list”
It was the best time. Small group with so much fun, relaxing & loads of historical history, excellent easy walking, Heather was amazing, very reliable relaxing & accomadating. Tassie Devil was so eye opening, the real up front with seeing it get feed, was WOW, & you really feed the kangaroos & birds. Port Arthur was big place to look at, you can do 3 hours with tassie Devil or 4 hours just at Port Arthur. We did 3 hours, was good for us. It's a must to do this tour. We fit in so much in 1 day. Oh thanks to Heather we got to fit in the jail at Richmond was the icing on the cake, that has to be a much to do, didn't even know of that place, & I have being to Tasmania 7 times, my husband first time. Was nice that all admission was taken care off, so u can just enjoy the day. Heather even gave you a choice if you hated to do Tassie Devil tour at a extra cost, but still cheap tour way, than paying more there. It's really value for money.
“Absolutely awesome tour of Port Arthur!”
An absolutely fabulous tour with guide Pascal, one of the best guides ever encountered across many tours around the world - customer-focused, knowledgeable and helpful. Tassie Tours communicated and organised well too, offering great value, and the day exceeded expectations.
“Great day out with a nice small group feel”
A great day at Port Arthur — I could have done with another hour there and a quick stop at the lavender shop. The minibus was average, but it was great to be in a smaller group and our fellow explorers were lovely.
“Friendly and informative tour”
Lucky with sunny weather for exploring Port Arthur on foot. Guide Rob was outstanding, successfully combining friendliness with real information and giving the tour a personal touch through genuine conversation.
“Great hassle free tour”
A great, hassle-free tour with lots of interesting stops and the right amount of time at Port Arthur. Guide Sky was knowledgeable and accommodating. Highly recommends it for an easy visit.
“Port Arthur very interesting. Plenty of interesting info…”
An excellent day out with driver/guide Rob, who packed a lot into the day. Worth bringing your own packed lunch and drinks, as facilities en route can have lengthy waits during busy periods.
“Great tour guide, Port Arthur not impactful.”
The tour guide was excellent, funny and full of dry humour throughout the day. Would personally have skipped the four hours spent at Port Arthur in favour of more time at the coastline and beaches, having found other former prison sites like Robben Island more impactful - though acknowledges the two aren't really comparable.
Rob was a great guide on the Port Arthur tour, providing lots of information, and went the extra mile to take the group to Remarkable Cave after they finished at Port Arthur early. Highly recommended.
With only a day in Hobart, the reviewer used Tassie Tours to visit Port Arthur and found guide Pascal made sure they learned a lot, thanks to his deep passion for the island's history and culture. It felt like much more than just a shuttle to and from the historic site, and they'd highly recommend Tassie Tours to anyone visiting Tasmania.
Among several great day outs with Tassie Tours, the reviewer did the Port Arthur tour with guide Bryony, who was such good fun. She found all the guides across her tours to be a credit to the company and the tours great value.
“A Great Tour Experience”
Here’s a polished review based on your experience:
**Exceptional Tour Experience with Nathan**
I had the pleasure of joining a tour guided by Nathan at the Tahune Airwalk and Hastings Caves, and it was nothing short of amazing! Nathan was incredibly nice, accommodating, and made a genuine effort to remember everyone’s names, which added such a personal touch.
The Tahune Airwalk was breathtaking, the swinging bridge was thrilling, and the Hastings Caves were absolutely magnificent. To top it all off, I enjoyed the best-tasting apple crumble of my life—it was a real treat!
This experience made my birthday truly memorable, and I can’t recommend this tour enough. Thank you!
“Informative and pleasant trip”
A very pleasant day from the start, with knowledgeable, easy-to-talk-to guide/driver Paschal. Expected the day to be all about Port Arthur, but the long drive there and back was full of general Tasmanian history, stories and wildlife, including a couple of echidnas the bus stopped for. Loved the relaxed pace that allowed time to enjoy the scenery and use restrooms without feeling rushed.
“Day trip in Port Arthur.”
A well-organised day trip with an excellent, knowledgeable and professional driver/guide. Port Arthur is well worth visiting.
“A well-spent day in Hobart”
Guide Pascal was wonderful, informative and friendly, and the Port Arthur site itself was beautiful and fascinating, with interpretive signage and information on the convicts held there bringing the history to life. The harbour cruise and side trip to Remarkable Cave were welcome additions showing off Tasmania's beauty.
“Port arthur cruise and tour”
Guide Gray was knowledgeable about the area's history, friendly and accommodating, though the time allotted at Port Arthur felt rushed and didn't allow for as much exploring as hoped.
“A marvellous time thanks to a fully engaged guide”
We went to Port Arthur via Tasman National Park and the Unzoo, returning via Richmond, and had a spectacular time thanks to our incredibly knowledgeable, funny and personable guide Ian, a former history teacher. I learned more about Tasmania than I imagined — from the flora, fauna and tides to the colourful convict era. His passion was infectious. Highly, highly recommended. Six stars.
“Fun day out with great guide”
A fun day out, though would have liked another hour at Port Arthur (four in total) and fewer stops along the way. Guide/driver Grey was great and very informative, and the bus was comfortable and clean. Recommended.
“The penitentiary was interesting as was the UnZoo and the ot”
The penitentiary was interesting as was the UnZoo and the other sights along the way . A full and entertaining day !
“Great tour.”
The highlight was the unzoo. Seeing T. Devils in person was amazing. The unzoo and explanations were a real highlight. The tour driver, Ian, provided more insights into Tasmania, the devils and local information. He explained goals of the island and much more.
The Port Arthur tour with guide Skye was amazing, packed with interesting history and stories, plus cool stops along the way including scenery and a chocolate shop. A must-do in Tasmania.
A wonderful day on the Port Arthur Shuttle and Tasman Day Tour - well organised, on time and comfortable throughout. Guide Coco was friendly and made the whole day enjoyable and easy to follow. Highly recommended for anyone visiting Hobart.
“Great tour and guide!”
Guide Briony kept the group welcoming and informative and the day on track, though the promised Richmond stop didn't happen and the other stops felt a little brief. Would suggest skipping the caves in favour of more time exploring Port Arthur, and moving the harbour cruise to the end and lengthening it. Even so, Briony's personable, knowledgeable style made the tour thoroughly worthwhile and highly recommended.
“A Well-Balanced Day Trip”
Chose this tour because it didn't start too early, included a few stops on the way, kept the Port Arthur visit to a reasonable four hours, and included a 90-minute cruise from Port Arthur to Cape Raoul - the main draw for booking. The cruise was a highlight, and the driver/guide looked after the small group of six with genuine care. Highly recommended.
“Port Arthur and other stops by bus.”
A great day - the bus was on time, and the driver/guide provided plenty of information along the way. Port Arthur itself is impressive both for its history and its current beauty, and the site is clearly well maintained and presented.
“Port Arthur, Richmond Active Day tour with Ian”
We were blessed with blue skies for my day to Port Arthur. Ian, our driver and guide, made the area's history come alive — I was amazed to learn how the geography itself created Port Arthur's natural 'prison walls'. Thanks to his knowledge I navigated Port Arthur without feeling rushed, and our active part was a wonderful walk through spectacular native bush. Richmond, with the convict-built oldest bridge, looked a dear little town, though late on a Monday many shops were closed.
“Dont Miss Out the Must-go Destinations at Tasmania”
On the third day of a multi-day Tasmania trip, guide Mark gave plenty of history background on Port Arthur before the group visited the historic site itself. The guided walk through the site added a lot of understanding of its convict-era history.
“Really recommend it!!”
One of the most amazing tours in Hobart. Enough time at port Arthur. Clinton our guide was telling us stories throughout the time. Very informative. It was superb
“Port Arthur Shuttle & Tasman Sights Tour”
Booked the Port Arthur & Tasman Sights tour with guide/driver Mark, who was great and very knowledgeable about Tasmanian history. Alongside Port Arthur itself, there were brief stops at the chocolate factory, Tasman Arch, Devil's Kitchen and Eaglehawk Neck. Thoroughly enjoyed it and would book with the company again.
“ Thanks for an amazing day!”
Shout out to Heather, who took me to Maria island today. She was very knowledgeable and personable. Her knowledge of the history around the island, wildlife and region was amazing. She spotted so much wildlife and was able to provide many photo opportunities of the region.
“Good way to see some really sites/parts of Tasmania”
A good day out — the coastal walk at the start gave breathtaking views. We had plenty of time to explore Port Arthur at our own pace, with lots to see, and the finish in Richmond with a tasty ice cream was a nice touch. A long day with an early start, but well worth it.
“5 STAR!”
Did the Tassie Devil, port Arthur and Richmond tour with Ian and it was a 5/5 day!! He was so knowledgeable and informative, it was a great small group and it was a full day of great sight. Highly recommend! (And thanks for the restaurant recommendation Ian - dinner was wonderful!)
“You won’t regret it!!”
Today Elisa and I had a day tour which was conducted by Nicholas. We had a wonderful day. Nicholas showed us many interesting things such as some amazing waterfalls and magnificent tall trees. Nicholas is very knowledgeable about them and he is able to pass the information across to us clearly. We are thankful for his efforts.
“Highly recommend”
We did the Port Arthur and surrounds and Richmond. We absolutely loved it and Matt was an awesome tour guide, very helpful and knowledgeable
“A must do experience”
An unforgettable trip to Port Arthur and the peninsula thanks to guide Mark, whose deep knowledge of Tasmania's history and gift for storytelling brought the past to life. He wove historical facts with engaging anecdotes about Port Arthur and the area's cultural significance, and his warm, welcoming manner made the tour feel personal for every guest.
The Port Arthur tour turned out to be so much more than a bus trip, with stops at beautiful and interesting places along the way there and back. Driver Mark clearly loves his job - knowledgeable about the sights and engaged with everyone on the bus - and pickup and drop-off at the hotel was a nice bonus. Highly recommended, both the tour and Tassie Tours.
A fantastic tour to Port Arthur with Tassie Tours - guide Alex was friendly, fun and informative, making for a great day all round. Highly recommended.
“Port Arthur and the Remarkable Cave - a memorable day for sure!”
A great way to reach the beautiful, moving Port Arthur Historic Site. Booking, including a change, and pickup in the Hobart CBD were both easy. The vehicle was comfortable and on time, and the friendly, knowledgeable driver took the group to both Port Arthur and the spectacular Remarkable Cave. There was also a bakery stop, with a toilet, on the 90-minute drive - a long but memorable day.
“Fun, friendly, informative”
A pleasant surprise - guide Alex was friendly and informative, filling the drive with interesting stories and even going out of his way to find deals and point out wildlife. Stops were brief but good for gifts. Could have spent hours more at Port Arthur, and loved being able to hike down to the cave. Highly recommends this as an easy, worthwhile day trip from Hobart.
“So much fun”
We did the Port Arthur and surrounds and Richmond. We absolutely loved it and Matt was an awesome tour guide, very helpful and knowledgeable
“Unforgettable”
Highly recommends taking this tour - Port Arthur was beyond fabulous, and guide/driver Jodie was delightful. Worth specifically asking for her.
“Overall enjoyable day”
Had a great day, Very full on and long day.
Bus Tour guide very informative, knowledgeable and friendly.
Bush walk was a bit more strenuous for older people than portrayed in the flyer.
Port Arthur was a great experience apart from the weather it rained the whole time, and was freezing so would suggest a better weather day if planning to go.
Richmond was a lovely quaint town and enjoyed walking the streets
Overall a good day out.
“Five stars tour from Hobart”
Loved this tour and especially our guide Ian, who's a Hobart full year resident who shared plenty of Tasmanian history around the tour stops and the roads traveled. Keep your eyes open in Tasman Park's waterfall hike; we did and saw paddymelons in the brush
“Great mixed bag experience for the time poor travellor”
Great mixed bag of experiences crammed into 1 day!
Being picked up and dropped off at our accommodation was great, especially with a friendly, chatty knowledgeable guide.
Our 1st stop was an easy cliff top stroll with amazing views. Wow!
Next we saw the little devils an a very natural style environment, learning about their habits and even watching a feed.
Unfortunately Pt Arthur was a let down - only because we tried to cram a full day into a few hours - think this experience needs time to take it in and walk with a guide for stories. Beautifully restored and very harrowing.
Finishing the day at Richmond - a delightful quaint village, once again an hr wasn't long enough but found some yummy goodies to round off the day.
“Fun, Well Planned and Beautiful Sights”
Our driver and tour guide Heather was amazing! She was very knowlegeable about the area around Tasmania and the history as well. She gave us a lot of great information as we drove to the Unzoo to see the tassies, kangaroos, etc and to Port Arthur to see the old penitentiary. Everything was well organized and efficient and we liked that Heather had a great sense of humor. We would take another tour with her!
“Really recommend it!!”
In my time in hobart went I few times in the tours tasmania office. The employed me always recommend very good tours. The best place that I visited was bruny Island. The office can I gladly recommend.
“Beautiful!”
Our guide Nicholas was a wealth of historical information. On the way there Nick did a great job of providing background information that made our time at the site more interesting. The walk along the Tasman Peninsula was my favorite part.
“A day in Tasmania”
Guide Tammy was the best, taking the group to a few hidden spots and keeping things fun and informative before making sure everyone was set up to explore Port Arthur. Tassie Tours communicated well throughout. Highly recommended.
“Port Arthur is a must do!”
A wonderful tour of the historic Port Arthur and Tasman sights, with a very knowledgeable guide who gave plenty of detail on the sights and history. The only letdown was missing the promised stop at the Tasmanian Chocolate Foundry that had been part of the original booking.
The reviewer did both the Bruny Island day trip and the Port Arthur Shuttle with Tassie Tours, with Geno as their guide and driver on both. He was well seasoned and knowledgeable, covering Port Arthur's history as well as Bruny Island's highlights, and his insights and personality made for an interesting tour. They'll be back.
A wonderful day on the Port Arthur tour. A payment issue with the online booking system was fixed promptly after an after-hours email, and the driver was friendly and informative, filling in historical details along the way. Overall, great value.
“Port Arthur March 25”
A fantastic day with beautiful views, lots of history and perfect weather. Guide Mark was great, teaching the group plenty about Hobart and Port Arthur.
“Wonderful day trip. Good…”
Wonderful day trip. Good tour guide, very informative and well paced. Takune and Hastings thermal pools and caves.
“It was superb”
One of the most amazing tours in Hobart. Enough time at port Arthur. Clinton our guide was telling us stories throughout the time. Very informative.
“Port Arthur a must see”
A wonderful, well-worth-the-money trip with good commentary from the driver on the way to Port Arthur. Well worth visiting, and enjoyed the included boat trip.
“Thanks for an amazing day!”
Shout out to Heather. She was very knowledgeable and personable. Her knowledge of the history around the island, wildlife and region was amazing. She spotted so much wildlife and was able to provide many photo opportunities of the region.
“A great way to visit Port Arthur”
A great tour to Port Arthur with friendly, knowledgeable driver/guide Andrew. Spent the full four hours at the historic site and managed to see every point of interest, including a rest at Scorpion Rock. Pickup was confirmed by email and text a couple of days beforehand - wholeheartedly recommends booking.
“Great”
Damian was a great guide for our Cradle mountain tour. Thank you!
Though not normally one for guided tours, the reviewer did the roughly 8-hour Port Arthur tour and found it memorable, fun and informative. Guide Tammy's enthusiasm for travel made the day exciting, and everything promised was delivered. Highly recommended.
“Top tour - excellent value”
Excellent value with a small enough group that the few stops on the way were efficiently handled. Port Arthur was well worth the visit, and Remarkable Cove lived up to its name. The driver was excellent and it felt safe throughout.
“Worthwhile full-day excursion to the peninsula”
Overall a great tour with varied program items and a guide who was competent and entertaining at the same time
“Great Tour!”
Heather was our tour guide for the day and she was absolutely fantastic! Shared a lot about the local area and its history, and gave us pointers on how to get the most out of our visits to each spot. I would definitely recommend this tour for anyone who wants to visit Port Arthur. There is an initial trek to see the Devils Kitchen and Tasman Arch, but it was an easy walk with some fantastic views. Well worth it! The lolly shop in Richmond is a must visit - definitely give their fresh waffles a try if you can!
“A good choice of transport to and from Port Arthur.”
An efficient, good-value way to get to Port Arthur from Hobart, with a few scenic and hospitality stops to break up the drive and entertaining, informative stories from driver Nathan. Four hours were then available to explore the site.
“Port Arthur tour”
A terrific day seeing Port Arthur plus other stops on the Tasman Peninsula. Guide Nathan was knowledgeable and super friendly, and everything ran on time and efficiently.
“Great Sights!!”
Port Arthur and the Tasman Peninsula are a must-see, with beautiful, unpolluted air and crystal-clear water.
“Sienna P”
An amazing day on Bruny Island. Our guide Nick was very knowledgeable and very entertaining. He new the perfect order to see things in, which ended with us having most of the attractions to just our small group. Highly recommend Tours Tasmania. It was a big day but an awesome day, thankyou.
“Must visit”
We loved our time with the animals at the Unzoo! Up close interactions with the kangaroos and wallabies as well as the parrots and birds were a highlight.
Port Arthur was interesting from a historical aspect. Would recommend to get the audio for the self directed tour. It is a walk to get around. Be prepared for the weather ( there was an hour or so down pour)
On the Port Arthur return trip, guide Andrew was informative and made an extra stop in Dunalley to see some cheeky seals, and gave the group the choice of staying longer at Port Arthur or heading off earlier to see Remarkable Cave. Well worth it.
“Full fun day out with the whole family”
The family had a wonderful time at Port Arthur thanks to guide Peter, whose passion for history and storytelling was obvious from the start. He engaged the group throughout, helping them understand the site's historical significance as well as its natural beauty. Highly recommends Tassie Tours to anyone visiting Port Arthur.
An amazing experience on the Port Arthur day trip with Tassie Tours. Their driver was incredibly professional and, as a local, shared fascinating facts throughout the journey. When only the reviewer and their wife were ready to see the caves while other passengers were still exploring the prison, the driver kindly took just the two of them there. Highly recommended.
“Great trp!”
Great trp! I did the Port Arthur transit from Hobart
I did it with Peter, and he was superb!
On the Port Arthur Shuttle, Bunzy was a superbly talented driver and guide, keeping things relaxed and friendly and stopping at several points of interest along the way, including for a bit of shopping. Worth every cent.
A day trip to Port Arthur with worthwhile side trips along the way. The tour guide was informative and funny, making for a really enjoyable day.
“Tassie Tours Tasmania a first-rate experience!!”
Booked on a friend's recommendation, the Port Arthur day trip was outstanding thanks to guide Andrew, a Tasmanian local and former chef with deep knowledge of the area's history and food. Port Arthur itself was moving, especially the memorial to the 1996 tragedy and the confronting history of Aboriginal displacement. Andrew's natural, engaging delivery made the seven-hour day fly by, and the company delivers a five-star product they'd happily book again.
A really enjoyable day trip with driver Bunzy, who was a great source of knowledge - the reviewer learned a lot just from the drive. Good stops along the way plus a decent amount of time at Port Arthur Historic Site to explore.
The Port Arthur shuttle exceeded expectations, with driver Mark an absolute legend, full of wild facts and great banter. The bus was clean and roomy, and when they hit major traffic Mark knew the best route to get everyone home without a hitch.
“Port Arthur in a day.”
Andrew arrived right on time and gave a great history rundown of Hobart and the sites on the way to Port Arthur, pacing the stops well with no pressure to buy anything. At Port Arthur he advised on the best activities and timing for the visit. There was also an unplanned side trip to a blow hole, worth the climb up and down. The return trip was relaxed with no information overload. Highly recommended.
“Interesting Port Arthur”
This reviewer had a wonderful, beautiful and interesting day visiting Port Arthur and the surrounding area. Guide Peter was knowledgeable and went out of his way to help, even stopping to point out a group of fur seals on the way back as an added bonus.
Easy hotel pickup for the Port Arthur day trip, with guide Mark's knowledge of the area's history giving real insight into the past. The reviewer had considered driving themselves but was glad they took the tour instead, as they'd have seen far less on their own - plus there was a surprise guest passenger along for the ride.
The reviewer joined the daily Port Arthur tour and found Ethan very helpful. The tour left right on time, and Mark's pleasant conversation and informative commentary along the way made for a great day. Thanks were extended to the team.
Peter was an exceptional guide on the Port Arthur tour - punctual and went the extra mile, even rewarding the reviewer for arriving early. In their opinion, Tassie Tours is the best option for visiting Port Arthur from Hobart.
“Easy Port Arthur visit”
This reviewer found this a seamless way to visit beautiful Port Arthur, praising driver Steve as excellent and efficient and the coach as comfortable. A couple of interesting stops, particularly the lavender farm, broke up the trip nicely.
“Great value and a great tour!”
A fantastic tour with plenty of pickup points around Hobart. Driver Bunzy was a wealth of knowledge, the stops along the way were fun, and there was a good amount of time to explore the Port Arthur Historic Site.
“A great shuttle to Port Arthur”
This reviewer had a full-day mini bus tour to Port Arthur with driver and guide Mark, who made the day hilarious by learning everyone's name and regularly checking in with them, despite having visited Port Arthur before. Mark also added an off-itinerary stop at the Remarkable Cave and shared plenty of knowledge about other travellers' home countries, leaving a lasting impression of his wit and fun.
“Fun day full of history and iconic local experiences.”
This reviewer's guide Andrew was easy-going, accommodating and helpful, sharing his experiences and local knowledge to make the trip extra special. They enjoyed exploring Port Arthur at their own pace, with the Remarkable Cave a particular highlight they'd recommend to everyone.
“Great sites!”
This reviewer's guide Simon was fantastic, very knowledgeable, and made sure the group saw all the sights and then some. Though hesitant about the tessellated pavement, Simon convinced them to go down and walk on it, which they found unbelievable.
An interesting and informative day at Port Arthur with a driver who doubled as a historian, alongside a pleasant group and plenty to take in. The reviewer couldn't rate the experience highly enough and encourages others to book it.
“Nice trip to Port Arthur”
This reviewer enjoyed the tour very much, with enough time to explore Port Arthur and a few extra stops on the way there and back. Guide Andrew was charming, with a good sense of humour and interesting information about daily island life, earning a strong recommendation.
“Tassie Tours”
This reviewer had a fantastic trip to Port Arthur with driver Andrew, praising his great sense of humour and attention to detail for making the day even more enjoyable. They say they'd happily book with Tassie Tours and Andrew again on a future visit.
“Great day exploring Port Arthur and surrounds..”
This reviewer enjoyed the tour to Port Arthur thanks to the scenery along the way and helpful guide Jodie. They found Port Arthur a fascinating step back in time, imagining the lives of the convicts and soldiers who lived there, and chose to spend their optional extra time exploring the site further rather than visiting nearby caves.
A great day on the Port Arthur Shuttle - picked up near the hotel in downtown Hobart, with a couple of photo stops on the way to arrive at the visitor centre by midday. Driver Bunzi was very helpful and gave colourful commentary throughout, and they were back at the hotel by 5:30pm after a day full of beautiful Tasmanian scenery.
“Beyond Port Arthur”
This reviewer, visiting via cruise ship, highly recommends this short tour for the chance to see a bit more of the region in just a few hours. A highlight was the view of Tasman Arch, and their guide Nathan was knowledgeable and pointed out other areas of interest along the way.
“Excellent easy shuttle to/from Port Arthur”
This reviewer had a very nice, informative driver with interesting stops on the way out to Port Arthur, thoroughly enjoying the day. They appreciated the option of multiple pickup spots in Hobart, including one just a five-minute walk from their cruise ship.
“Hobart Highlightd& Nipulina tour + Port arthur tour”
This reviewer thanks Mark for the Hobart tour and Andrew for the Port Arthur Scenic tour, calling both guides entertaining and informative. They had a great time and wouldn't hesitate to book with Tassie Tours again.
“Excellent trip to Port Arthur”
This reviewer had a wonderful day out from Hobart taking in the surrounding countryside and coast. Guide Andrew was excellent and knowledgeable, sharing plenty of relevant information, and they say Port Arthur is definitely worth a visit.
Having just arrived in Hobart on a cruise, the reviewer wanted to check out Port Arthur and found Tassie Tours right off the ship - simple booking, great advice, and even a veteran's discount. Guide Tilly was amazing and took them to other great spots on the way to and from Port Arthur, inspiring them to come back and explore more of Tasmania in future.
“Great value tour”
With two days in port on a cruise, this reviewer did the well-priced Port Arthur tour on day one. Pickups were easy and driver Annie dropped cruise guests directly back to the wharf; they arrived at Port Arthur slightly late only because Annie stopped to help another driver with a flat tyre, with that time added back so nothing was missed.
“Highly recommended easy trip to Port Arthur”
This reviewer thoroughly enjoyed an information- and experience-packed day, with driver Mark sharing his knowledge of Port Arthur while keeping the bus journey fun through chatting with guests. They praise the beautiful drive and a good balance of time and breaks along the way.
A great day on the Port Arthur Shuttle and Tasman Sights Tour, with a friendly guide, a fantastic choice of locations, and impeccable timing throughout. Highly recommended.
“Wonderful tour of Port Arthur”
This reviewer really enjoyed the full-day Port Arthur tour, praising guide Rob as not just knowledgeable but incredibly kind, going out of his way to help anyone who needed it. They call Port Arthur a spectacular historical site and highly recommend the tour.
“The best drivers”
This reviewer describes Peter as the perfect down-to-earth, straight-talking Aussie guide, full of interesting information, who even changed a tyre and arranged for fellow driver Annie to cover the last stretch to Port Arthur. They found Port Arthur amazing and surreal, recommending a few hours and good walking shoes to do it justice.
“Enjoyable Tour!”
Driver and guide Andrew made this reviewer's trip to Port Arthur and its selected stops a fabulous day. Their van was comfortable and Andrew was professional, informative and friendly throughout, earning a strong recommendation.
“Great day tour”
This reviewer found the tour a perfect complement to their day at Port Arthur, praising the stunning scenery and an experienced, entertaining guide. They particularly enjoyed the extra sights included along the way.
“I was always going to go to Port Arthur on a trip to Hobart and ”
This was a great way to get to see Port Arthur and soak up some extra into on the way. I wasn’t particularly excited about the clifftop walk that was on the agenda but actually I loved it . Port Arthur is amazing but be aware it is a big site with a lot to read so give yourself plenty of time. One version of this tour includes a visit to the devils - this is a good option if you aren’t super interested in convict history. If you are a nerd like me though you need lots of time at Port Arthur! Save the furry devils for a different day.
Our guide was Heather and she was exceptional - very knowledgeable and efficient.
“Absolutely brilliant day”
Mark picked up this reviewer for the drive to Port Arthur, filling the trip with anecdotes, jokes and laughter. The whole journey was informative, with all their questions answered, and they can't rate Mark highly enough as a guide and storyteller for such a joyful day.
“Great Tour”
The tour guides were so great! The spots we went to were great as well. I think the tour guides help make the experience. Peter was fun, personable, and genuine. Mark was inclusive and got everyone in nice conversations on a long bus ride.
“A Great Tour!”
This reviewer found the Port Arthur tour with Tassie Tours a brilliant way to see some of what Tasmania has to offer, with a guide who was friendly, helpful and informative throughout.
“Saw a lot in one day.”
Great day out. Port Arthur was amazing need more time there but the few hours we had were great. Richmond is a lovely place to visit
“SAFTY CONCERNS. DRIVER 10Klm OVER THE SPEED LIMIT.”
This reviewer had a great, informative day out with good stops along the way and enough time to enjoy the river cruise at Port Arthur, noting travellers really need three to four hours to see everything. However, the drive back was stressful: the driver was speeding around 10km/h over the limit, swerving through bends with loud music on, seemingly more focused on his own good time than passenger safety, leaving the group thrown side to side for the whole return trip.
“A great day trip to a site well worth seeing.”
This reviewer found the tour excellent, with driver/guide Peter giving great commentary and information along the way. They call Port Arthur a must-see and thoroughly recommend the tour.
“Interesting day”
Nice trip from Hobart along many cliffs of Tasman peninsula. Tasman arch and Devil’s kitchen are very impressive
Part Arthur is large and full of history.
Our guide was very knowledgeable.
“A day full of history”
What a fantastic day. Brilliant photo opportunities throughout the day. Port Arthur was informative and confronting all tossed into one day. Could have easily spent 2 days to see everything. Trevor our driver and tour guide was extremely knowledgeable and helpful. A great day out.
“A great mix of coastal views and walk, visiting Port Arthur and ”
Ben was a great tour guide; friendly, knowledgeable and great delivery. Very organised and easy to go from place to place. Considerate of our needs. Nice having the small bus. A great day.
“An excellent experience at a variety of sites!”
Very Interesting tour to a variety of locations in SE Tasmania. Fantastic visit to Tasman National Park, the Port Arthur Historic Site, Tasmanian Devil Unzoo and the historic town of Richmond. Our guide Dave was incredibly knowledgable and interesting. The tour included a really nice mix of guided activities and options for spending time at each site on our own. This allowed for people to both get the information and do things that best fit with their individual interests and energy levels. Very enjoyable day!
“Great day and good fun was had by me!”
I took this trip on Wednesday 16th of August and while this was my second time in Tasmania, it was my first time going to Port Arthur. The itinerary for the day was packed that started with getting picked-up from my hotel in the mini-bus that was going to be our vehicle for the day. So there was no time wasted going to a central hub and transferring before going on.
“Full day but so worth it”
An action packed day full of beautiful beaches, sweeping cliffs, unzoo visit, then Port Arthur. A lot of driving but plenty of stop offs and some lovely bush walks that were very easy to do. The unzoo was awesome and we got to see some healthy and lively tassie devils and hands on with kangaroos and native birds.
Port Author has beautiful surroundings but also well done for reflection and education on the atrocities that occurred in history. Our guide Chris was very knowledgeable and easy going making a very enjoyable day out
“Would highly recommend!”
We did the tour to Port Arthur and honestly the shuttle experience made the day! Our driver, Mark was the best guide/driver I've ever experienced. Not only was he incredibly knowledgable, but his energy, humour and style made the trip so memorable for everyone on the bus. So personable and fun, would highly recommend!
“absolute once-in-a-lifetime experience”
Book this now & do not hesitate. This trip was absolutely unforgettable. Our guide, Ian, could not have been a more perfect leader: knowledgeable, enthusiastic, personable and funny. As tourists who didn’t feel comfortable renting a car, we were grateful for the drive and views (and comfort stops with food options). You walk through the rainforest and feel like you’re in Jurassic Park, and somehow, it gets more beautiful throughout the trip. The Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary is both exotic and personal. For someone from the northern hemisphere who has only read about these creatures — laughing with kookaburras, up close with tasmanian devils, and feeding kangaroos underneath flocks of wild cockatoos — it all felt unreal. The winding road to Mt. Wellington was breathtaking. Clouds (and rainbows!) shrouded the view at the top but we saw glimpses and were given time to explore (and weather is certainly out of human control). We cannot stress this enough: take this tour (and if possible, on a Monday or Tuesday with Ian!).
“Great day”
We had a great day out with Andrew as our driver! He was very knowledgeable, friendly and easy to talk to. He made sure we had a good trip. He stopped at a chocolate shop, lavender shop, a beach to see dolphins, remarkables cave and port Arthur. It was very relaxing for us to sit back and let Andrew manage the trip.
“Warm and wonderful service”
This reviewer found the whole experience with Tassie Tours outstanding, from the initial phone booking through to the bus trip to Port Arthur, and thanked the operator for such a warm welcome.
“Awesome private day tour!”
After calling Tassie Tours the day before wanting a last-minute private half-day tour, this reviewer had Ethan quickly put together a visit to the Port Arthur Historical Site and a few other points of interest. Their guide Simon was wonderful, patient, experienced and flexible, and they also fit in the Tasmanian Devil Unzoo, the scenic Pirate's Bay lookout, and the Tessellated Pavement rock formations, giving the day a full five-star rating.
“Highly recommended!”
I booked the Port Arthur shuttle as a solo traveller and was very happy with the guide, fellow travellers and the tour itself. It was a small group tour of 12 people and stopping at the Lavender Farm and also taking in Remarkable Cave as well as having ample time to explore Port Arthur was fabulous. I would definitely recommend this tour
“A great day out!”
This reviewer's guide Annie was lovely and clearly knew her subject well. With no issues throughout, they highly recommend the tour to anyone wanting to visit Port Arthur and learn about the area along the way.
“A must visit to Port Arthur in Tasmania for all”
This reviewer and a friend enjoyed a sunny, breezy day trip to Port Arthur. Their guide Annie was cheerful, friendly, and gave informative history, making for a great overall experience they highly recommend.
“A productive day tour!”
On their first visit to Tasmania, this reviewer booked this Port Arthur sightseeing tour on short notice and visited many spots including Port Arthur itself, which they call one of the world's greatest heritage sites. Travelling in a small group of eight in a small bus, they thoroughly enjoyed the day.
“Great tour. ”
Great tour. The driver was very helpful and friendly. Enjoyable day at Port Arthur.
“Great day”
A day trip to Port Arthur was great!
“Great day”
Ben was our guide and we had a small group of 6.
Pickup was on time, the tour was perfectly paced and we really loved the day.
Highly recommended. Thanks Ben and team.
“Bus to Port Arthur”
This reviewer describes the trip as essentially a shuttle to Port Arthur with a couple of worthwhile stops along the way. Driver Anni was great and knowledgeable, though they noted the price charged at checkout was higher than advertised with no explanation given.
“Amazing tour”
We did one day tour of Port Arthur. Our guide Anny was amazing. We enjoyed the tour and she was very friendly and informative.
“Lots packed into 10 hours”
Loved it. Lots packed into a 10 hour day. To start with our guide/driver was Nicholas who was awesome . Friendly , knowledgeable and witty. First part of the tour is photo stops along the peninsula and a 2km scenic walk culminating at Tasman Arch ... spectacular . The next part of the tour is 4 hours at Port Arthur Penal Colony. Which you will need to see it all. Amazing step back in history. Real eye opener. Then you finish with a trip to Australia's oldest bridge at Richmond . So well built by convicts that they were pardoned on it's completion. Back in Hobart around 5.30pm . Awesome day. Highly recommended.
“Highly recommend it!!!”
Great tour to Port Arthur, very knowledgeable and competent driver and comfortable mini-bus. We thoroughly enjoyed the day and can highly recommend it
“Tassie Experience”
This reviewer loved Port Arthur and the (genuine) chocolate factory, but found the Remarkable Cave especially memorable. They enjoyed the commentary throughout the trip, which patiently answered a wide range of questions from a varied group, all in a comfortable small bus, and say they'll be back with family.
“Great Shore Excursion”
This reviewer took the tour while visiting Port Arthur from the Coral Princess cruise ship, praising guide Trent as excellent, friendly and informative. Trent gave plenty of time at each stop and joined in on the walks, and the chocolate factory and lavender farm stops, along with the Tasman Peninsula scenery, rounded out a great-value three hours.
“Tassie Tours to Port Arthur”
Despite most of the bus travelling in groups, this solo traveller felt included and well looked after throughout the day. The guide had a wealth of interesting, clearly passionate history for each stop, making it an amazing tour they'd recommend to everyone.
“GOOD DAY OUT”
This reviewer had an excellent day out, praising the beautiful countryside and a guide who gave plenty of time at each stop while explaining what to look out for. The Port Arthur penal settlement's story was well presented in the museum, before they explored by boat and on foot past the prison cells, leg irons, the commandant's house, and the gardens.
“Highly recommended!”
Went on a great your to Port Arthur with our tour guide Ethan. We had a fantastic day and Ethan was an amazing guide have us plenty of information and facts. Thanks heaps highly recommend this company
“Would definitely go again!!”
Mark - our tour guide/bus driver - was incredibly knowledgeable about the areas passed on the drive to Port Arthur historic site. He made a point to know everyone by name and include everyone on the tour, was an overall fantastic bus trip! Would definitely go again!!
“Highly recommended!”
We went on the shuttle tour for a day trip to Port Arthur. Our driver/guide was great. Very informative and enthusiastic. Some lovely, well spaced out stops on the way and a smooth journey back.
I would certainly recommend Tassie Tours if you would like to take a day trip to Port Arthur from Hobart.
“Incredible experience.”
From the start, guide Mark made every traveller feel welcome and included in conversation, sharing the history of each stop along with his own local knowledge. Highlights of the day included the Dogline, Port Arthur itself, and the Remarkable Cave, and the reviewer highly recommends this tour combined with the Port Arthur cruise.
“Port Arthur Near Miss”
When this reviewer's cruise-ship excursion to Port Arthur was cancelled due to rough seas, the local tourist information centre arranged a last-minute early-morning tour through Tassie Tours so the group could still make it back for their 3pm sailing. Driver Peter was personable and knowledgeable, offering great advice and skilfully avoiding traffic to get everyone back on time, saving what could have been a missed opportunity to see Port Arthur.
“Great bus ride and information session along the way”
Guide and driver Peter did a great job showing this reviewer the sights and sharing insights into Tasmania on the trip to Port Arthur and back to the cruise ship. Even on an unremarkable weather day, Peter kept the mood upbeat for everyone on the bus.
“Beautiful”
A day packed with incredible scenery and fun
“Great tour with a lot of hiking opportunities”
Great tour with a lot of hiking opportunities
“Great day out!”
Anni was a fantastic, knowledgeable and friendly guide for this reviewer's day at Port Arthur, packed with local tips. She kept the group on schedule while still sneaking in a few locals-only side trips, making for a highly recommended day out.
“Outstanding value”
From the easy online booking through to the trip itself, this reviewer had a fabulous experience heading down to Port Arthur. Their driver/guide was punctual, went out of his way to help with drop-off, and kept everyone entertained with tips and anecdotes throughout the morning.
“Peter - The best tour guide!”
The reviewer's Port Arthur day trip from Hobart was cut short in one sense (the cruise ship couldn't dock due to weather) but was still a memorable outing. Guide Peter was funny, informative, and made the day thoroughly worthwhile.
“Tassie Tours 11/22”
On their first trip to Tasmania, after a great Hobart highlights tour the day before, the reviewer booked with Tassie Tours again the next day for Port Arthur, this time with Andrew. He gave another great day of touring the highlights of the area before they wandered through the historic site — another thoroughly recommended day out.
“Recommended Tour”
Enjoyed guide Bunsy's commentary and company, with a simple pickup and drop-off and good stops and timing at each venue — an easy way to visit Port Arthur and more.
“Disappointing tour experience”
Couldn't actually experience this trip as our Jetstar flight was cancelled and we couldn't get there in time.
“Not the Port Arthur trip”
not so clean floor and seats.
Too many things in one day to really enjoy the day. A short stop for coffee and rest rooms on the way. A Stop at the Cliff Top saw lovely views but we did not expect the almost 1 hour bush walk to Waterfall Bay. Cold and windy so we felt this part could have been averted. Finally got to the other side to meet the tour guide to find more bush walking to see "something" that was closed so around to Tasman Arch where the mini bus was parked. Next was on the Un Zoo which we had paid for only to find we were left for an hour to see one little old Tassie Devil be fed. Then a quick bird show which lasted about 10 mins because the birds didn't come. After eventually being picked up, off the the Lavender Farm to pick up the sole person there. They informed the driver 15 minutes would have been plenty of time. Eventually we finally arrived at Port Arthur just in time for the 12.30 walking tour, . As it ended we were to head over to the boat cruise for 1.20. After it finished we had less than 1 hour to look around Port Arthur. The entire day while somewhat organised was very time poor for Port Arthur. Too much squashed into the morning and 5 hours before we arrived. Promptly at 3pm we were herded back on to the bus and headed for Richmond which was another waste of time arriving just after 4pm for a 40 minute stop but to be told everything closes at 4pm. The lolly shop was about all that was open. Last but not least another divert to a lookout on the southern side of the Derwent River, just a carpark really but a nice view all the same. Eventually back to Hobart in peak hour traffic just before 6pm. There was a lot to do in 1 day in my opinion a lot of wasted time which could have been much better spent at Port Arthur. For tourists there is no time built in to eat, everything was on the run, I don't recommend this tour if you want to see and enjoy all of Port Arthur and what it has to offer.
“Rocky start but a fantastic experience.”
The tour operators and our guide were excellent. Unfortunately the booking through Viator was dreadful. Despite having a booking reference , electronic ticket, it was never issued to the tour operator, so they had no record of us in the system and failed to pick us up. After 20 mins we rang the tour operator who told us the above. But the tour operator went above and beyond and returned to collect us- outstanding service
“A great shuttle to an amazing place”
A great shuttle ride that, while not marketed as a guided tour, still included plenty of stops to learn fascinating history and stories about Port Arthur you wouldn't get driving yourself. Host Mark was fantastic and made the trip really enjoyable — recommends booking direct through the website for the best deal.
“Wonderful”
Thoroughly enjoyed the shuttle, with the group treated to amazing and educational facts about Port Arthur. Guide Mark was easy to get along with and very accommodating — highly recommended.
“A great way to see Tasmania whilst heading down to Port…”
An on-time pickup in Hobart for the drive down to Port Arthur with a small group of fellow travellers. The driver was entertaining and informative, learning everyone's names to keep the group engaged, and there was enough time at the site to explore plus take the cruise across to the adjoining island. A long day, but an enjoyable and informative one, highly recommended.
“Absolutely lovely tour well worth the early rise and long day. O”
Absolutely lovely tour well worth the early rise and long day. Our tour guide Nick was very entertaining with a seemingly unending amount of interesting and amusing stories and anecdotes about everything on the tour. A shame we visited while the lavender at the farm was not in season but is still worth a stop to check out the gift shop and try a lavender latte.
Port Arthur is the main attraction and a fantastic experience. Exploring the ruins of the original prison before enjoying a short cruise around the bay was a very educational and unique experience. There is also a somber and touching memorial to the victims of the 1996 tragedy.
Highly recommend this tour. A great experience with some fantastic photo opportunities along the way. Just make sure to wrap up warm if going in winter!
A great day shuttle to Port Arthur with driver Patrick, a great bloke with plenty of local knowledge. Pickup and drop-off from the Hobart CBD was easy, and the price was very affordable.
“Great destinations but a pretty ordinary tour”
We did the Port Arthur and Tassie Devils Day Tour from Hobart. The Tassie Devils were great and well worth the visit. Port Arthur was also well worth it and the walking tour was enthralling and poignant. However our tour guide on the bus from Hobart was unfortunately underwhelming. The tour included a Port Arthur Harbour cruise. Our guide, Jeremy, talked us out of doing the Cruise, (on the grounds it would use up too much of our time) and then appeared surprised when we got back on the bus and nobody had gone on the cruise. He also told us about some of the attractions of Richmond (which we stopped at on the way back to Hobart) after we got got back on the bus. It would have been more helpful to tell us the attractions beforehand, so we could visit them. In summary, the destinations were worthwhile but the overall experience was pretty ordinary.
“Highly recommended!”
Our guide Clinton was very knowledgeable and made the whole day trip enjoyable and smooth sailing. Recommend!
“Great trip”
Great day. Well thought out trip. Not too long at places which made it feel like we fit the most in. Highly recommend
“Top toir”
We had a great day! An early start meant that we saw so much. We did the 45 min walk and saw spectacular cliff to sights including the devils kitchen ad blow hole. Our guide was David and he was full of interesting information and funny stories. He had a vast knowledge of local and historic knowledge. He was very in tune with our comfort too. Always asking how the sure temp was etc. We were very happy with three tour and would consider going another one with them.
“Good trip”
A good guide, good communication, and a reasonably priced trip to Port Arthur. Recommends allowing plenty of time on site as there's a lot to see and take in.
“Tassie Way, Tassie Tours, one of a kind!”
Staff were easy and quick to deal with, and the bus drivers were very prompt in helping rebook the Port Arthur trip for the next day — great, easygoing service all round.
“Awesome People!”
Did two tours with Tassie Tours — Bruny Island and a shuttle bus to Port Arthur — and both were great. Andrew's local knowledge on Bruny was awesome and unrushed, while David on the Port Arthur trip was equally knowledgeable, patient, and went out of his way to show the group white wallabies. Both drivers knew their stuff, making this a highly recommended way to see more than you would driving yourself.
“Shuttle or a tour?”
Easy to book online, with the shuttle waiting right across the road from the hotel and a driver who put everyone at ease from the start. Though technically billed as a shuttle rather than a guided tour, the local driver's wealth of knowledge made it better than some actual tours the reviewer has been on — highly recommended.
“Fantastic shuttle service”
Chose this shuttle to Port Arthur on the strength of its TripAdvisor reviews and wasn't disappointed. Driver Peter was friendly, helpful with a transport issue, and an encyclopaedia of Tasmanian knowledge, with an unplanned bonus photo stop at Pirates Bay lookout. On a return trip a few days later, another personable and humorous driver shared similar knowledge and passion, with the trip back to Hobart including a few surprise stops in Tasman National Park — highly recommended.
“Judy”
Great tour very interesting and informative. Tour guide Connor took us on some wonderful side trips and an excellent bakery
“Long but worth every minute”
This excursion is run by a company called Tours Tasmania and they were first class all the way. Yes it is an 11 hour tour so it's a long day, however it was worth it. The guide was great and knowledgeable, they were on time, and the stops were great. The cliff walk was beautiful and not difficult with plenty of places to stop for pictures. The stop at the UnZoo to see the Tasmanian Devil was delightful, and of course Port Arthur itself was very informative and interesting. Would highly recommend this tour and this company.
“Under Down Under”
Had a great day, Rob easing going but attentive guide was informative and helpful. Weather fine and the Tasman Peninsula and Port Arthur sites speak for themselves
“Wonderful day out”
This is a really good trip starting at 7am and finishing after 18.00. Our driver Nick was brilliant, very knowledgeable and customer focussed. The 30 minute walk on the cliff tops was stunning with magnificent views of the sea way below. Port Arthur is steeped in history and the tour is most informative, Strongly recommended
“Great day on the Tasman Peninsula, good tour guide”
We had planned to take this with the 4 hours at Port Arthur option, but decided en route to stop at the Un-Zoo and see wild-life up close, with only 2-1/2 hours at Port Arthur, instead, and were happy we did. (This was a 10 dollars Australian supplement). We hand-fed kangaroos and gullahs, and watched a Tasmanian devil feeding. We did not have as much time for guided tours at Port Arthur as the 4-hour folks, but felt it was enough time to walk around, see the site, read interpretive materials, and take the boat ride. The cliff walk en route was spectacular, and was a reason we chose this tour over some other options. Our tour guide was well-informed and gave good commentary.
“Port Arthur historic trip”
Great day for this site. Not too sunny or hot. The bus tour operator Nick was excellent. He wad informative and added humor on the trip there and return trip as well. We stopped at a few scenic lookouts & in the quaint town of Richmond returning to Hobart. Port Arthur historic was well worth the visit. Our guide at the site gave a good account of the history. Some stories very tragic. If I were to come back to Tasmania I would do this trip again.
“Enjoyable day trip to Port Arthur”
This day trip mixes natural beauty and history, with a lovely walk along the cliffs as well as about three hours at Port Arthur, which felt like the right amount of time to explore the mixture of ruined and reconstructed buildings from its time as a penitentiary. Connor was a great guide, allowing for flexibility like letting some passengers split off to see Tasmanian devils at the "Unzoo"(which cost an extra $10 AUD) while others went on to a lavender farm. The trip definitely packs a lot into a single day.
“Great day out”
Beautiful tour, our guide Audrey was fantastic! Got to see a few of Hobarts top sights in one day, definitely recommend.
“Amazing”
Our tour guide Beth was amazing, she made us feel welcome and her commentary was so interesting- highly recommend this tour
“Great Shuttle Service to Port Arthur”
Excellent, great-value service with multiple pickup points, an on-time and comfortable minibus, and a driver/guide who pointed out notable landmarks and history on the way to Port Arthur. The driver even dropped the reviewer directly at Hobart airport afterwards with no fuss, and threw in free stops at Tasman National Park lookouts and the Blowhole — highly recommended.
“Exceptional”
Thoroughly enjoyed the shuttle ride to and from Port Arthur, with exceptional commentary covering history facts that wouldn't have been picked up self-driving. The driver remembered and interacted with everyone by name — fully recommended.
“Shuttle to Port Arthur on time and a friendly driver”
Used Tassie Tours to get from Hobart to Port Arthur, with a great driver who shared tips on things to see and do and stopped at a worthwhile lookout along the way. He also kindly dropped the reviewer directly at their accommodation after the site visit — would definitely use this service again.
“Port Arthur and beautiful Waterfall Bay”
Our guide Clinton was very informative and enthusiastic and giving enough time to appreciate the gorgeous scenery!
Lots of very sad history at the prison however it is manicured and expertly converted into a great museum!
“Informative Day Out”
Delightful day out. Port Arthur is a must for anybody interested in Australian history. Our guide Dan was very informative and knowledgeable. The cliff top walk was beautiful, fabulous scenery. Lovely way to spend a day whilst holidaying in Hobart. Highly recommend.
“The perfect way to get to Port Arthur”
Efficient pickup and drop-off, with charismatic driver Peter pointing out landmarks and historical snippets that made the journey fly by. Four hours was just the right amount of time to explore Port Arthur — highly recommended.
“Port Arthur for the day”
Guide Mark kept the whole group on time and happy all day, making it look easy and thoroughly enjoyable. His informative commentary gave a real feel for a slice of Tasmania.
“Enjoyable Port Arthur day tour”
We were picked up from our hotel by the driver and guide, Rob, who was very personable and helpful all day. After collecting our fellow tourists, we headed off to Richmond to check out the historic bridge. On the way we dropped in at Dodges Ferry to see the view, then continued on to the Tasman Peninsula. We stopped at the Dog Line and at a viewpoint, before visiting Tasman Arch and Devils Kitchen. At Port Arthur we were given free rein, with tickets for the harbour cruise included. Luckily the weather held out for most of the day, with only occasional drizzle. Rob took us for an optional trip to Remarkable Cave, where the weather was less kind, but we enjoyed the visit nonetheless. All up, a very enjoyable drive with a good range of stops.
“Outstanding Service”
Outstanding service from the shuttle leader, who was knowledgeable and remembered everyone's names. Passengers got to know each other and chatted the whole way to and from Port Arthur, making the trip fly by — highly recommended.
Tassie Tours gave good advice on timing the walking tour and boat cruise at Port Arthur, and the reasonable departure and return times (10:30am to 5:30pm) left plenty of time to explore the historic site. Driver Mark was brilliant, funny and very knowledgeable both ways - the reviewer would use the company again.
“Port Arthur bus trip”
The bus driver was friendly and informative, with a convenient on-time hotel pickup for a very relaxing day. After leaving a souvenir on the bus, Tassie Tours tracked it down and delivered it back to the hotel the next day — awesome service.
An enjoyable group tour to Port Arthur with Peter, the best guide, who was also funny - he recommended the Mt Nelson Lookout, which turned out to be amazing. Highly recommended.
A trip to Port Arthur with a guide who had a good sense of humour and shared the history along the way. He seemed to genuinely enjoy his work, which came through and made for a recommended day.
“Fantastic service”
Booked the Tassie Tours shuttle from Hobart to Port Arthur after struggling to find a hire car, and found the service fantastic and friendly with good commentary along the way. Highly recommended.
“Great Experience Overall”
A packed but rewarding day covering Port Arthur and more, matching expectations overall, though two and a half hours at the Port Arthur Historic Site felt a little short given the long, exhaustive schedule. Guide Nick was excellent and clearly devoted to his work — recommended.
“Five 🌟”
Strongly recommended — the shuttle was on schedule for all pickups, and driver Ben was very knowledgeable, sharing interesting historical facts on the way to the site. After several hours at Port Arthur, Ben stopped at several sightseeing spots on the return trip, making this a tour the reviewer will be recommending to others.
“Best day in Tassie”
Fabulous day out, guides Jacob and Matt were amazing, so knowledgeable and fun and friendly they made the day.
We got to see so much on this packed day out, Port Arthur, Richmond, Tasman coast.
Fantastic value and really enjoyable day.
“Awesome Experience”
We started with a guided tour that was extremely interesting — we learned far more than we would have on our own — and did the short harbour cruise too, which was lovely. I'd highly recommend visiting Port Arthur to anyone!
“A quick day trip to Port Arthur”
Port Arthur Historic Site staff were excellent, and the tour guide was knowledgeable, weaving historical snippets and stories together with modern-day connections, all delivered with good humour. A pleasant introduction to the site before exploring it independently.
“Escorted trip”
A fabulous trip with pickup right from where they were staying. Driver Tony had lots of facts to share and was accommodating about making extra stops for photos, buying oysters, and seeing other sights, and Port Arthur itself was described as a must-do that gives a real sense of 1800s penitentiary life.
“Great Visit to Historic Port Arthur”
A great little tour to fit into a cruise stopover in Hobart, with a knowledgeable driver who gave great commentary along the way. The guided tour on site was informative and the boat tour was nice, though the reviewer would have liked more time to see more of the buildings and possibly the island convict site.
“Stuart H”
Caught the shuttle to Port Arthur, ideal for a later start on the 3 Capes track after already having visited the site. Driver Anthony turned out to be more of a tour guide than expected, in a good way, and the overall service was great.
“Well worth it.”
Booked via Viator, and Patrick at Tassie Tours helped sort out a booking mix-up over one-way versus return travel. Note that site entry and other tour tickets aren't included in the shuttle price. Driver Andrew gave an interesting, informative and safe drive down and back to Hobart, with bonus unexpected sightseeing stops along the way, and other passengers agreed Tassie Tours took the hassle out of the day.
“Port Arthur Express Shuttlebus”
Picked up and dropped back at the hotel, with driver Simon giving interesting commentary along the way. There were photo stop opportunities plus an unexpected extra visit to Remarkable Cave near the Maingon Bay lookout with breathtaking views — excellent, highly recommended service.
“Port Arthur day trip”
The minibus was on time and the driver shared interesting information along the way, on a journey of about an hour and forty minutes that included a brief stop at Eaglehawk Neck for the view. After touring Port Arthur, the minibus returned everyone to Hobart on schedule for a very enjoyable day.
“Shuttle bus from Hobart to Port Arthur.”
Very punctual drop-off and pickup. The reviewer would have liked a slightly earlier start and less time spent at the Pirates Bay lookout stop in order to have more time at Port Arthur itself, but otherwise found it a great, affordable service.
“Very Informative”
Expected just a bus ride out to Port Arthur, but driver and guide Ali was fantastic, teaching the group more about Tasmania than they'd learned anywhere else. Well worth the money.
“A good day trip.”
Informative commentary on the way to Port Arthur, then four hours at the site which was ample time for the guided tour, the boat cruise, some self-guided exploring, and even a coffee break. A bonus stop at Pirates Cove for photos rounded out a stunning, history-rich day, recommended as a perfect day trip.
“Economical and Great experience”
Did two tours with Tassie Tours — Bruny Island and Port Arthur — with Peter as driver and guide for both. Prices were good, the coaches were clean and comfortable, and Peter was fun and informative with timely pickups and drop-offs.
“Great way to explore Port Arthur”
Driver/guide Peter was witty and informative, with ten-minute stops at both Pirates Bay on the way to Port Arthur and Tasman Arch on the way back — both beautiful spots. Four hours at Port Arthur was enough time for the walking tour, the cruise, and some independent exploring, making this a great option for anyone not driving themselves around Tasmania.
“a good excursion”
Booked online with a choice of eight pickup points; the reviewer's minibus driver, Maddy, was friendly even though it was reportedly her first day on the job, and she drove safely while sharing interesting information and personal stories from growing up in the area. The group left Hobart around 10:30am, arrived at Port Arthur — the former convict colony — by noon, and had four hours there before returning at 4pm.
The reviewer did both a Bruny Island tour and the Port Arthur tour with Tassie Tours and was lucky to have the same guide/driver, Peter, for both days. He was very informative about all the sights, kept everyone entertained with good humour, and generously dropped them at the airport on the way back from Port Arthur since it was on the route. Well organised, and they'd book again.
“Knowledge & passion!”
Booked expecting just a bus trip to Port Arthur, but got much more thanks to driver Ali's knowledge of, and passion for, all things Tasmanian, which gave the group a greater appreciation of what the state has to offer.
“Historic MUST at Tassie”
After an earlier tour of Hobart's highlights, the reviewer booked a second trip with Tassie Tours: the shuttle to Port Arthur, the former penitentiary site now listed as cultural heritage. The roughly ninety-minute drive from Hobart included a coffee stop and lovely scenery, and the site itself was described as beautiful yet heavy with the history of its convict past and the 1996 tragedy. The friendly guide added useful information about the place and Tasmania generally, making it a highly recommended visit.
The driver was excellent and the price reasonable on a comfortable mini bus for the Port Arthur trip, which they managed to book last-minute despite it being a popular tour.
“Carol”
A faultless Port Arthur tour with an on-time pickup. Guide Ali went out of her way to accommodate special requests and was very knowledgeable — a refreshing change to have a young female guide. Highly recommended.
“Great trip, easy as to book & tour with”
Easy to book, pay for, and even change dates on. Guide Ali kept up that easy-going theme on the trip to Port Arthur — nothing was too much trouble, and she gave great, informative commentary the whole way.
“ Port Arthur and Lavender Farm Tour”
Enjoyed the tour at the historic Port Arthur site. Had a short forest walk along the waterfall bay lookout and it was wonderful! Our guide, Nick, is professional, friendly and knows alot about the history of various places and will explain to us as we drive around to different locations.
“Great experience”
Our guide, Andrew, was very nice and knowledgeable about the places we went. I loved the Port Arthur Historic site tour and harbour cruise. I wish we were allowed to spend more than 30 minutes at Lavender Farm. I tried the lavender ice cream - one scoop of the lavender white chocolate and one scoop of lavender chocolate. Good thing I mixed the chocolate flavour. It kinda toned down the strong lavender flavour. Overall, the tour was a great experience. I appreciated the rich history and culture of Tasmania more. I highly recommend this to anyone planning to visit Tassie.
“Hassle Free Transfer”
Booked this to get to Port Arthur for the start of the 3 Capes hike, with timing that worked well since there was no need to leave Hobart until after 10am. Local driver Andrew was informative, friendly and knowledgeable, arrived punctually, and even fitted in some sightseeing along the way. The return trip worked just as well.
“Great value - highly recommend!”
A fabulous day at Port Arthur, with driver Stewart couldn't have been more helpful, funny, interesting and knowledgeable, going out of his way to make the day thoroughly enjoyable.
“Port Arthur Tour ex Hobart”
A friendly and knowledgeable driver, timely pickup and good value for money, with the added bonus of some side visits to interesting areas along the way. Highly recommended.
“Day Trip to Port Arthur”
Guide Ally was fabulous — on time, very knowledgeable and pleasant, with an obvious passion for Tasmania. Highly recommended, not just for the Port Arthur trip but for the operator's other tours too.
“Wonderful experience”
Booked both the Bruny Island day tour and the Port Arthur bus shuttle, and both were great experiences. The guide was very nice and gave great explanations about the places visited and about Tasmania in general.
“Top class driver”
A great ride out to Port Arthur to start the 3 Capes Track walk, with driver Maddie — only two weeks into the job — proving professional, friendly and punctual. She had excellent local knowledge and answered all questions, earning a high recommendation.
“Too much to see, too little time”
A very good tour to Port Arthur, though the reviewer felt the visit could have been longer. After the roughly two-hour drive and taking both the on-site guided tour and the boat tour, there wasn't much time left to explore the buildings and exhibits, and the museum was missed entirely.
“Port Arthur”
A coach tour to Port Arthur taking about ninety minutes with some commentary along the way, followed by four hours at the site — almost, but not quite, enough time to see everything. A very enjoyable day out.
“Port Arthur Express Shuttle”
Pickup was on time and the timetable was kept to all day. The driver's commentary was informative and questions were answered enthusiastically, and Port Arthur itself was a great place to visit.
“Excellent day out”
I had an excellent experience on this trip! The host Audrey was wonderful and I think we spent a good amount of time at each stop. Port Arthur was fascinating but I am so glad I took the opportunity to go to the Unzoo too for $10 more. Meeting Devils and Kangas up close was very special.
After a City Sights and Richmond tour, the reviewer's next day was a tour out to the sights around Port Arthur, again guided by Dave, who was wonderful and knowledgeable both days.
“Port Arthur and Lavender farm”
Such an amazing trip. Rare chance of seeing lavender flowers. Andrew, the guide is awesome. Should definitely choose this tour.
“Port Arthur with John”
We really enjoyed our trip to Port Arthur. Our guide John was very friendly and knowledgeable, giving us plenty of time along the way to enjoy the tour and take in the whole experience. It was a wonderful day, I would highly recommend this tour.
“Amazing historic site”
Amazing tour, a huge site, with a complex history, intertwined with Australian past. If your in Tasmania is a must! Lavender fields are amazing. Richmond is a cute little town with great lolly stores and local artists stores.
“Port Arthur Trip”
A great experience with only a small group of fellow travellers, on a comfortable bus that arrived on time. Driver Dave was knowledgeable and friendly, sharing expert background information on all things Tasmanian.
“Well rounded tour of Tasman Peninsula!”
Booked directly online very easily, and our hotel pick-up was right on schedule. A lovely day with our guide Dan — lots of information, fun and jokes, with so much packed in. Port Arthur was fascinating (we were glad we skipped the devils add-on so we had every minute there), and the cliff walk turned up a pademelon. The long bus ride was enjoyable and gave a real sense of this beautiful area, and Dan gave us great Hobart restaurant tips.
“Port Arthur Visit”
Overall an excellent, enjoyable tour with a very friendly guide who'd only started the job the week before. Port Arthur is historically significant, though the reviewer felt the introductory talk would work better delivered while moving around the site rather than standing in one spot.
“Comfortable service, great customer service”
This was the only service running to Port Arthur at the time, making it perfect for anyone flying in around 10am. Customer service was professional and the commentary on the way down was really interesting.
“So glad we went local with Tassie Tours!”
Driver Rodney, a local who also teaches tourism, was a wealth of information and pointed out sights along the way to Port Arthur, then explained ticketing and timing once there. On the return trip he stopped at two stunning photo spots and a short hike to an impressive cavern, still getting everyone back on time — a wonderful, well-run day.
“Bus trip to Hobart”
Booked a one-way trip back to Hobart after a walking trip and tour of Port Arthur. The Port Arthur tour itself was really interesting and highly recommended, and the driver on the return leg was great and friendly.
“Good transport to Port Arthur”
A good option for a full day at Port Arthur without joining an organised tour — you get picked up, driven there, given four hours to explore on your own, then driven back, offering great value. The driver went above and beyond with commentary along the way and checking on toilet stops.
“Great service, very friendly team!”
This service run by Patrick and his team was smooth, from an on-time pickup near the airport to four hours at Port Arthur, which was plenty of time for both the walking tour and the boat ride. The driver, a Tasmanian local, kept up good conversation and shared lots of information along the way — a great option for anyone who can't get there themselves.
“Rick rocks!”
Driver Richard (Rick) was a legend, keeping the reviewer's partner entertained the whole trip and sharing plenty of information about the Hobart-to-Port-Arthur area and beyond. A real asset to the company.
“Terrific Service”
Used this service to get to and from Port Arthur and the driver was very friendly. Despite an unplanned vehicle swap due to a mechanical fault, they still got the group there on time, and the reviewer would use them again.
“Enjoyed every bit of it”
I would recommend this trip to anyone enjoyed every bit of it.port arthur lavender farm and the rest of the tour was very well presented. Was an enjoyable day
“⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️”
Couldn't have asked for a better experience. Our guide Andrew was fantastic — knowledgeable, witty and helpful with recommendations for other things to do and places to eat. The best value for money: we did so much in a day, and every time we thought it was over there was something else! Can't recommend them highly enough — I'll do other tours with them next visit.
“Full day, great value!”
No trip to Hobart is complete without Port Arthur, and this tour didn't disappoint. In a small group (max 12), we were picked up by our knowledgeable, friendly guide Dan, with scenic Tasman Peninsula stops and ample time to explore the coastline before Port Arthur. We joined a guided tour of the confronting convict history, then had four hours to explore, plus a 20-minute harbour cruise past Point Puer and the Isle of the Dead. The return included a handmade chocolate factory and historic Richmond with Australia's oldest convict-built bridge. Thoroughly enjoyed it — and note your Port Arthur ticket is valid two days.
“Great day - would do it again in a heart beat!!”
From booking to pick-up to an amazing day and hotel drop-off, this company didn't put a foot wrong — a well-structured, well-organised day. Highlights included Port Arthur, the many Tasman Peninsula sights, a chocolate factory and Richmond. Our guide was very knowledgeable and personable, adding to a great day I'm so glad I did.
“Port Arthur Day Tour”
Very good experience for someone who hasn't been there before and including the couple of stop offs on the way to Port Arthur which give you a good feel for the history of that part of Tasmania. I would recommend this way of seeing Port Arthur for the first time.
“Incredible day”
The tour covered Port Arthur, Tasman Arch and more, with guides who went above and beyond to make the day fun, even stopping at a beach to fill some spare time. A five-star day overall.
“A great day trip.”
A well-structured, organised tour giving a good introduction to the Tasman Peninsula, with a rightful focus on Port Arthur. Timings were good, with plenty of time at each stop and no sense of rush. Our guide Dan was excellent — engaging, patient and very informative. Highly recommended!
“Well worth the cost”
Informative and interesting guide Matt. Took time to explain all about the small town we stopped at on the way and asked if we wanted to stop at The Chocolate factory on the way home as well as taking us to Tasman's Arch and Pirate bay. Port Arthur was everything that we expected and we had plenty of time to explore the site and go on the included short cruise around the area.
“Best. bus. ride. EVER!”
Patrick was great about accommodating a date change, and tour guide Josh was warm, welcoming and full of enthusiasm for local history and storytelling. The reviewer says the bus ride itself was a highlight of the day, and Port Arthur was a wonderful and intriguing experience to cap it off.
“Port Arthur Shuttle Bus”
The driver had great character and made the trip enjoyable, sharing information about the areas they passed through. Four hours was enough time to explore Port Arthur itself.
“Such a great day trip”
A great day out, especially if you have limited time in Hobart. After hotel pick-up (just 12 of us) and a bakery stop, we did a 45-minute coastal walk at Waterfall Bay with amazing lookouts, then on to Port Arthur (our guide grabbed our tickets so no queuing). The site is huge with information everywhere, easy to explore self-guided, and the included 20-minute harbour cruise was interesting and picturesque. We finished with the Federation Chocolate Factory (locally sourced, with a tasting box) and Richmond with its historic bridge, plus a Hobart lookout. Our guide Dan was lovely and knowledgeable. A long day (7:30am–6pm), but you see so much — definitely recommend.
A quick, simple and effective way to get to Port Arthur, which is essentially the only practical way to arrive. The time allotted at the site felt just right - enough to see everything without getting too tired waiting around - and the driver was accommodating, happily adjusting the drop-off location on request.
“Really Good Mix of Attractions”
We really enjoyed the tour. Our host Robert was friendly and knowledgeable about the area. The amount of time at Port Arthur felt perfect, and we loved the beautiful waterfall walk. Would recommend.
“Interesting tour with many things to do”
We covered a lot — seeing and feeding kangaroos, meeting devils and birds, Port Arthur, Richmond, and a clifftop walk with lovely ocean views. Our guide Rick was informative and knew a lot. Prepare for a long day (7am to 6pm) — you'll see plenty and come home ready for bed. Good value for money.
“Day packed full of a variety of activities”
We wanted to see Port Arthur and the natural coastal formations, and this tour didn't disappoint. Nick was diligent, patient, efficient, knowledgeable and friendly. We stopped at great viewpoints, did the waterfall walk, took a short cruise, learned a lot about Hobart, and had enough time (four hours) at Port Arthur, plus chocolate tasting and a Richmond stroll, finishing at a lookout over Hobart. A fabulous day and great value — very tired by the end!
“interesting Port Arthur and Tasman Peninsula Tour”
An excellent day tour. Our driver-guide Dan was very knowledgeable with a great sense of humour. We visited the Tasmanian Unzoo (meeting kangaroos and devils at feeding time), the famous high sea cliffs of the Tasman Peninsula, Pirates Bay lookout, and did Tasmania's 45-minute Waterfall Bay clifftop 'Great Short Walk' ending at the Tasman Arch. We learned about the Port Arthur convicts, did a harbour cruise, tasted chocolate, and visited quaint Richmond and a Hobart hilltop lookout.
“A fantastic day!”
We really enjoyed this scenic, varied day. We loved the park walk and feeding kangaroos and photographing Tassie devils, the interesting afternoon at Port Arthur, and the unexpected final lookout over Hobart. Thanks to our guide Connor, whose explanations were always interesting and a little ironic. I seriously recommend this tour.
“Magnificent Day”
An absolutely fantastic day. Our guide Rick was amazing, and his knowledge of geology and fauna was very informative. The history, though harsh, was compelling, and the lesser sights like Richmond and the chocolate factory topped off the day. Thanks for a great day!
“Wonderful tour and tour guide”
Connor gave a lively account of the history around our tour — the convicts, Tasmanian devils and spots along the drive. The cliff walk was spectacular, and the small group size made the tour very enjoyable.
“Holiday Maker”
Thank you Connor for your dedication to all things Hobart and your obvious love for your job. Your knowledge of Port Arthur was only surpassed by your map-drawing skills. Enjoy your beer money!
“Brilliant! Well worth the money! Recommended!”
A group of six older women with Nick as our driver — knowledgeable, funny, and clearly popular (other passengers were asking what else he guides). The scenery was amazing, with spots you'd miss self-driving, and at Port Arthur we were driven to the door with tickets handed to us (no queuing), plus a 30-minute boat trip. Nick advised what to see to make the most of our time. Great value and a really enjoyable day — I'd book with them again.
“Good and informative”
Lots of history here — the prison is mostly ruins but you see parts of it, and it's a moving, sad history. We had a nice day trip; the on-site restaurant is good, and you explore the grounds on your own even though you arrive on a tour.
“Enjoyed our Day!”
We enjoyed this tour. We added the Unzoo (the Birds of the Bush show was very well presented), though in hindsight we'd have spent that time at Port Arthur. The Richmond stop was long enough to walk around and explore. Special mention to our friendly, engaging driver-guide David, who recommended dinner spots we appreciated. Highly recommend.
“Amazingly atmospheric site”
Beautiful scenery on the trip down. As an older person I very much appreciated the 'people mover' buggies. All locations provided excellent guides and great insights to the period. The 30 minute harbour cruise was a great addition to the day.
“Very good”
Good tour with good history. We enjoyed the other places we visited along the way too. Had no idea before this that Tasmania had been part of the British penal system.
“Very full day”
Our guide was very knowledgeable, stopping at lots of beautiful places. A full day of different things to do and see — including chocolate!
“Excellent”
An excellent tour that I really enjoyed. The guide was very professional and the scenery spectacular. I also did the Tasmanian Devils show at the Unzoo — a worthwhile upgrade. The only thing I'd prefer is a little more time at Port Arthur (perhaps by skipping the boat portion).
“Really great day tour”
A lovely, professional guide who was sensitive to different cultures and ages, informative without being intrusive, and helpful — and the group was just the right size. Port Arthur and the walk to the Devils Kitchen were fantastic; the chocolate and ice cream were pleasant if not outstanding brief stops.
“A world class location”
We spent the day at Port Arthur — amazing weather, and the location, facilities and staff were all fantastic. Few places have surpassed my expectations as much; it's simply world class, and everyone who has the chance should go.
“Great Day Trip”
I'd tried to book with another company and am glad they couldn't fit me, as this was an awesome tour — a smaller group with a personable, helpful guide. The cliff walk was a highlight, along with time at Port Arthur and the stop at the Federation Chocolate Factory (great chocolate, inexpensive compared with the city).
“Nice day to this historic site”
A nice drive from Hobart to this site with amazing views, still preserved in time. A good walk around to see history's remnants and take photos — and if you're lucky you might see the resident wildlife. Also do the boat trip around the bay for spectacular views.
“Very interesting day”
Learned a great deal about the prison. Driver Jac - short for Jacqueline was caring and very informative. Made several stops to and from Port Arthur which added to the experience. One negative - the van we drove in is past it's prime and should be replaced.
“A lovely day that was really well timed”
I learnt a lot and saw many beautiful sights. The tour guide was really friendly, positive and accommodating.
