Gray Line Tasmania · Hobart
A full-size coach leaves Brooke Street Pier for Richmond Bridge and Eaglehawk Neck, then spends about four hours at Port Arthur, with entry, a guided walk and the harbour cruise included. It's the classic version of the day, and the only one of the six day trips listed as wheelchair accessible.
Gray Line is the big, steady operator on this route. You check in at its desk on Brooke Street Pier, board an air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi and head east to Richmond, where you get 15 minutes at Richmond Bridge. Convicts built it between 1823 and 1825, and it's the oldest stone span bridge in Australia. Another 15 minutes at Eaglehawk Neck, then on to the site.
At Port Arthur you get about four hours. Admission, a guided walk of the site and the harbour cruise are all in the price, which is more than the cheaper trips give you: the guided walk means you start with context instead of a map. On the way home there's an optional 30 minutes at Remarkable Cave and 20 at the Tasmanian Chocolate Foundry.
Two things to know. Saturday departures swap Richmond, the chocolate stop and the cave for a stop at Salamanca Market, so check the day you book if Richmond matters to you. And coach groups are large compared with the 18 or 20 seat tours. If you use a wheelchair, this is the trip to book: the coach is accessible, and on site the Visitor Centre, the Gallery and the harbour boat are too, with a courtesy vehicle to the far houses and the jetty from 10:30am to 3:30pm (official FAQ).
Find the Gray Line desk on the Hobart waterfront. Hotel pickup can be arranged if you ask when you book.
A short stop at the sandstone bridge over the Coal River, the oldest of its kind in Australia.
The narrow neck of land that guards and dogs held against escaping convicts.
A guided walk to start, the harbour cruise, then free time for the Penitentiary, the Separate Prison and the houses.
A sea cave off Safety Cove Road, south of the site. There are 115 steps down to the platform.
The Tasmanian Chocolate Foundry, then the drive back to the waterfront.
★★★★★It was excellent! Victor was a very cool guide: friendly, positive, sociable, and he connected with everyone.
★★★★★Our tour guide was Phil, so knowledgeable, great tour worth every cent, coach was fantastic, just a great tour.
★★★★★The tour guide Colin was fantastic! He was such a lovely man with lots of fun and informative things to share.
★★★★★I liked the nature stops as well as the historic stops!
Read next:
Yes, the listing marks it wheelchair accessible. At the site, the Visitor Centre, the Gallery and the harbour boat are accessible. Elsewhere there are hills, gravel and steps, and a courtesy vehicle runs to the furthest houses and the jetty during the middle of the day.
About four hours, including a guided walk and the 20-minute harbour cruise. That's enough for the main sights without rushing.
On Saturdays the tour stops at Salamanca Market in Hobart instead of Richmond, the chocolate foundry and Remarkable Cave. The time at Port Arthur stays the same.
Yes. Admission, the guided walk and the harbour cruise are all included in the from-price of $113.
Ready to book
Richmond Bridge, Eaglehawk Neck and about four hours at Port Arthur, with entry, a guided walk and the harbour cruise included.
Port Arthur, Tasman Sights & Harbour CruiseThe cheapest day trip with entry included: Pirates Bay, the Dog Line, then 3 or 4 hours in the ruins and an oyster stop.★ 4.8 · 8 hours · from $108
Port Arthur & Isle of the Dead Day TripThe longest stay on site, about 4.3 hours, with the harbour cruise and a guided walk on the Isle of the Dead.★ 4.7 · 1 day · from $132
Port Arthur Deep History TourHistory first: a guide descended from convicts, 4 hours on site, a group of 20 at most and the coastal sights.★ 5.0 · 9 hours · from $136