Port Arthur Historic Site (Wheelchair Accessible)

Description

Be sure to read the Special Notes further down this page for important requirements and restriction.

What you will visit:

Port Arthur
From the 1830s to the 1870s, more than 12,000 convicts passed through the correctional facility of Port Arthur. Upon arrival, your knowledgeable guides and the exhibits at the Interpretation Center will provide a behind-the-scenes look at the penal colony's history and workings. Explore the open-air ruins and more than 30 restored buildings. Join your specialist guide for an informative walking tour. Step inside the eerie cells, wander through the penitentiary, learn about convict discipline that ranged from physical punishment to psychological terror, and hear tales of the hardships suffered by many during these harsh years. A tour through the reconstructed Government Gardens (originally established in 1858), offers a glimpse of what life was like on the other side of the bars during this period. If time permits, you can board the M.V. Marana for a harbor cruise.

What you will see along the way:
Settle in for a motorcoach ride along the wild and scenic Tasman Peninsula. You'll also drive through Eaglehawk Neck. Referred to by locals as "the neck," this isthmus is a natural gateway to the peninsula. In the 1830s, the British would post guard dogs across the neck to prevent Port Arthur's prison convicts from escaping across it.

Photo Opportunity:
Have your camera ready for the photo stop at Pirates Bay Lookout, which offers a commanding view of Eaglehawk Neck and the peninsula's stunning east coast.
Later, stop to admire this isolated area's contradictory beauty, taking in the vistas from either the Tessellated Pavement, Tasman's Arch the Blowhole, or the Devil's Kitchen.

Lunch:
A light lunch is served on site in Port Arthur. Sample menu includes sandwiches, cake, tea or coffee.

Special Notes:

The content of this tour is identical to HBA-110. Only confined guests using a wheelchair can book this tour, as it ensures accessible transportation. Due to the specialized nature of some lift-equipped vehicles, priority is given to guests using a wheelchair and one companion only; additional companions may be required to travel on the transportation provided for tour HBA-110. Bookings not marked with an accessibility requirement will be removed from the tour's inventory.
Please wear clothing suited to the weather conditions, a hat and jacket, plenty of biodegradable sunscreen and bring bottled water.
The historic walking tour involves approximately 40 minutes of walking. Participants must walk down stairs or a ramp to access the ruins. Once at the ruins, walking is on even, grassy surfaces and uneven, unpaved ground. Some ruins have cobblestones, uneven flooring and steps, and narrow doorways. There are some inclines on the site to reach some of the buildings
The drive to Port Arthur is approximately 1.5 hours.

Child Price:

12 years & under only