Port Arthur Historic Site

The Port Arthur Historic Site, on the rugged Tasman Peninsula about ninety minutes from Hobart, is one of the most significant and moving heritage sites in the country. A UNESCO World Heritage-listed former convict settlement, it preserves the haunting ruins and restored buildings of one of colonial Australia's harshest penal stations, set against beautiful, melancholy coastal scenery.

The appeal is that powerful combination of history, atmosphere and setting: extensive grounds to explore, the imposing penitentiary ruins, the church, the Separate Prison, a harbour cruise to the Isle of the Dead, and acclaimed guided and after-dark ghost tours that bring the site's sombre stories to life. It's an essential, deeply affecting Tasmanian experience.

With a 4.6 rating from more than 11,000 reviews, it's an overwhelmingly admired destination. Admission, opening hours, guided tours, harbour cruises and ghost tours all vary and many require booking, and tickets typically cover multiple days, so it's essential to check current details and book ahead before you go — and to allow a good few hours, or more, to do this remarkable site justice.