Cost for your party

Port Arthur tickets: the entry fee and what it really covers

Port Arthur Historic Site Admission and Tour Options

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Summary

Port Arthur tickets cost $55 for an adult, $27.50 for a child and $44 for a concession, and include a 20-minute harbour cruise, guide talks and two consecutive days on site.

Ticket essentials

  • Adult $55, child $27.50, concession $441
  • A 20-minute harbour cruise is included2
  • Refunds need at least 48 hours notice, minus 25%6

Weigh up 4 options

Entry alone or entry inside a day tour

Choose your group size and weigh plain entry against day tours that include it.

2 people
  1. Entry ticketDrive yourself · for each guest from $39

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  2. Tasman Sights shuttle8 hours · for each guest from $102

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  3. Full day with cruise9 hours · for each guest from $126

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  4. Isle of the Dead dayFull day · for each guest from $133

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Converted at the ECB reference rate, from-prices as listed by GetYourGuide. The precise amount is shown when you book.

Port Arthur tickets cover far more than a gate: a harbour cruise, short guide talks and two days on site. Here is what each ticket costs and when an add-on pays off.

Editorial team, portarthurtour.quest · Updated November 8, 2026 · ~6 min read

Facts at a glance

  • Adult entryGeneral admission is AUD 55 for an adult, AUD 27.50 for a child and AUD 44 with a concession card.1
  • In the priceA 20-minute harbour cruise, 10-15 minute guide talks and more than 30 buildings and ruins.2
  • Valid forAn entry ticket covers two consecutive days, handy if you stay on the peninsula.3
  • Guided add-onsEntry with a guided tour runs from AUD 65 for the Essentials Tour to AUD 85 for the Premium Tour.4,5
  • RefundsThe site refunds with at least 48 hours notice, minus a 25% fee.6

What a ticket to the historic site buys you

Port Arthur tickets are not a simple turnstile pass. A general admission ticket lets you roam the grounds at your own pace, and the Port Arthur Historic Site Management Authority lists a complimentary 20-minute harbour cruise, free guide talks of 10-15 minutes and access to more than 30 historic buildings, ruins, restored houses and gardens.2 The audio experience is a free download that comes with the ticket, and it links you to people and events across the grounds.7

Start in the Gallery on the lower level of the Visitor Centre. That is where you pick up a playing card and a paper visitor guide, and the card ties you to the life of a real convict, soldier or settler whose story turns up again out on the grounds.8 It sounds like a gimmick until you find your card in a cell block an hour later and realise the person on it walked those floors.

The grounds and museum houses open from 9am to 5pm, and the historic site closes only on Christmas Day.9,10 Your harbour cruise departure is chosen after checkout, so book the boat for a time that leaves room for the talks you want.11 Most visitors spend between half a day and a full day on the site, which is worth knowing before you plan the drive back.12

Every official price

Ticket prices by visitor type

TicketAdultConcessionChildFamily of 4
General admissionAUD 551AUD 441AUD 27.501Not listed
Entry and Essentials TourAUD 654AUD 544AUD 32.504AUD 1304
Entry and Escape tourAUD 7523AUD 7423AUD 37.5023AUD 15023
Entry and Premium TourAUD 855AUD 745AUD 42.505AUD 1705
Entry and Isle of the DeadAUD 8524AUD 7424AUD 42.5024AUD 17024
Ghost Tour at nightAUD 3522Not listedAUD 1822Not listed

Official prices in Australian dollars from the site, shown as from prices; check the booking page for the current fee.1,22

Adult, child, concession and family prices

How much Port Arthur entry costs depends on who is in your group. The official prices for general admission are AUD 55 for an adult, AUD 27.50 for a child and AUD 44 for a concession.1 Child prices apply from 3 to 16 years inclusive, and children aged 3 and under enter free, although the site still asks you to book a ticket for them.14,15

Concession is narrower than many overseas visitors expect. The rate needs one of a listed set of Australian health care, pensioner, veterans or seniors cards, and the site says it cannot accept proof of age as evidence on its own.16,17 Student prices on the guided tours need a valid Australian full-time student card with a photo.18 If you are visiting from abroad, plan on the adult price.

Families get their own price on the guided tour tickets, shown as a family of 4, and the conditions define a family ticket as 1 adult with 3 children or 2 adults with 3 children.4,19 Anyone aged 17 and under must be with an adult on site.20 A carer who holds a Companion Card is given a second ticket or tour pass at no cost.21

Adult prices side by side

What each official ticket costs an adult

  • Ghost Tour35
  • Entry only55
  • Essentials Tour65
  • Escape tour75
  • Premium Tour85
  • Isle of the Dead85

Official adult prices in Australian dollars; every guided tour price includes general entry.22,1,4,23,5,24

The guided tours you can add to entry

The Port Arthur Essentials Tour is the gentlest upgrade: about 45 minutes on a relatively flat route with little walking.25 Entry plus this tour costs AUD 65 for an adult, AUD 54 for a concession or student, AUD 32.50 for a child and AUD 130 for a family of 4.4 It leaves daily at 9:30am, 10:30am, 12:30pm and 3:45pm, and the site lists it as wheelchair accessible.33,34

The Premium Tour is the deep dive: 90 minutes, small groups of 15, and a walk of about 2 kilometres with some slopes.26,27,28 With entry it costs AUD 85 for an adult and AUD 42.50 for a child, and it departs at 12:00pm and 1:30pm.5,35 The Escape from Port Arthur tour spends 60 minutes on breakout attempts, leaves at 11:00am and 3:00pm, and costs AUD 75 for an adult with entry.36,37,23

The Isle of the Dead tour takes the MV Marana out to the cemetery island and lasts 65 minutes in total, 20 of them on the boat and 45 on the walk ashore, with three daily departures, 12:30pm, 1:15pm and 2:45pm.29 It costs AUD 85 for an adult with entry.24 At the top end, Wheel of Fate is a private tour for 2 to 10 guests at AUD 395 per person, with entry, canapes and a two course lunch, booked at least 7 days ahead.38,39,40,41

Pick your ticket

Match the ticket to your visit

Say what kind of visit you want and see which ticket fits it.

  • If I am driving and want to roam freely

    General admission

    At AUD 55 for an adult it covers the grounds, the talks and the harbour cruise.1,2

  • If I want a guide but little walking

    Essentials Tour

    It runs about 45 minutes on a relatively flat route with little walking.25

  • If I want the full convict story

    Premium Tour

    It runs 90 minutes in groups of 15 and walks about 2 kilometres.26,27,28

  • If I want to land on the cemetery island

    Isle of the Dead tour

    Set aside 65 minutes; the crossing takes 20 of them.29

  • If I will come back within the year

    Ticket of Leave upgrade

    It costs AUD 20 for an adult and gives free re-entry for 2 years.30,31

Ways in

Entry alone or entry inside a day

Most freedom

The entry ticket

Drive yourself

  • Valid1 day on the listing
  • IncludesHarbour cruise, talks
  • CancelFree up to 24 hours
See this option

No car needed

The full day from Hobart

Coach, entry, cruise

  • Length9 hours
  • On site270 minutes
  • AdmissionIncluded
See this option

Lavender and cave

The Tasman Sights shuttle

Timetabled day

  • Length8 hours
  • On siteUp to 4 hours
  • Cruise20 minutes
See this option

Buying online, at the gate, and the refund rules

Can you buy tickets at Port Arthur on the day? The site sells them, but it calls pre-booking the best way to secure entry on the day and time you want.46 A downloaded or printed ticket gets you past the queue at the ticketing counter and straight through the Gallery to the scan gates.42 The guided tours matter more: they have limited places and run at set times.47

Read the refund terms before you commit. Booked direct, a ticket is refunded with at least 48 hours notice, minus a 25% administration fee, and there is no refund inside 48 hours.6,48 If the site itself cancels a tour, you are offered a new day or time, or your money back in full.49 Tours run in rain, breeze or shine and are only called off in severe weather.50

Resellers can be more flexible. The GetYourGuide admission listing starts from $39 and offers free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, with reserve now and pay later. On site, the authority would rather you paid by card, and many terminals accept nothing else.43 If you add a guided tour, check in at least 30 minutes before its start.51

A day on one ticket

From the gate to closing time

  1. 9am

    Gates and Gallery open

    Grounds and museum houses open at 9am.9

  2. On arrival

    Collect your playing card

    The Gallery is where you take your playing card and visitor guide.8

  3. Through the day

    Join the short talks

    Short free talks, 10-15 minutes each, pop up around the grounds.2

  4. Your booked slot

    Board the harbour cruise

    You choose the 20-minute cruise time after checkout.11,2

  5. 11:30am to 2:30pm

    Lunch at the restaurant

    The 1830 Restaurant & Bar does lunch from 11:30am to 2:30pm.13

  6. 5pm

    Grounds close

    The grounds and museum houses close at 5pm.9

Is Port Arthur free, and what costs extra

Port Arthur itself is not free, and you cannot shave the price by skipping the boat: the harbour cruise is part of the basic ticket, and leaving it out does not reduce the price.32 There is free convict history close by, though. The Coal Mines Historic Site on the same peninsula needs no fee and no ticket.45

The evening is priced on its own. The Ghost Tour is AUD 35 for adults and AUD 18 for children, and the site describes it as a stand-alone product that does not include daytime entry.22,44 The Cape Raoul cruise, which sails from the site's own jetty, is another extra, and its operator requires a site entry ticket for every passenger.52 A picnic pack costs AUD 39 for 1 guest or AUD 52 for 2.53

If you might return, look at the Ticket of Leave. It costs AUD 20 for an adult or AUD 40 for a family as an upgrade, and it gives free re-entry to Port Arthur and the Cascades Female Factory in Hobart for 2 years, without optional tours or food.30,31 Your Port Arthur ticket is a site admission and not a parks pass; the Parks and Wildlife Service requires a separate pass for national parks such as Tasman National Park.54

Video

Port Arthur, a travel guide to the prison ruin

Rusty Compass - independent travel guides on YouTube · The clip loads only after you tap play.

The harbour cruise is a complimentary part of basic site entry ticket but not compulsory.
Port Arthur Historic Site Management Authority (portarthur.org.au)32

Before you pay

A ticket checklist

Before you book3

  • Book ahead and download the ticket to skip the counter queue42
  • Pick your harbour cruise time after checkout11
  • Book a free ticket for children aged 3 and under15

Know the rules3

  • Concession needs an Australian card, not proof of age17
  • Refunds need at least 48 hours notice6
  • Bring a card: many terminals are card-only43

Extras to price in3

  • The Ghost Tour is a separate ticket at night44
  • A Ticket of Leave adds 2 years of re-entry31
  • The Coal Mines site nearby is free to enter45

Tickets that come inside a day tour

Many visitors never buy a ticket at all, because their tour from Hobart includes it. The Viator listing of the full-day tour with harbour cruise includes Port Arthur admission in its 270 minutes on site and starts from $126. The shuttle-style Tasman Sights day includes admission with the audio guide and the 20-minute harbour cruise, from $102.

If you prefer a plain bus, Pennicott Wilderness Journeys sells its Port Arthur Day Tour, which bundles site entry with a return guided bus, for AUD 120 per adult and AUD 100 per child.55 Its timetable gives you more than six hours on the grounds.56 A tour package makes sense when you have no car or want someone else on the Arthur Highway at dusk.

Compare what is inside before you compare prices. Some days cap your time at Port Arthur at 3 hours, while others give 4 hours or more, and an entry ticket on its own lets you stay from opening to closing.10 The cheapest way in for a driver is the general admission ticket, and the cheapest way in without a car is a bus with entry included.

FAQ

Fast answers to common questions.

How much is a Port Arthur ticket for an adult?
AUD 55 for general admission.

The official adult price is AUD 55, with AUD 27.50 for a child and AUD 44 with a concession card.1

What is included in Port Arthur entry?
A cruise, talks and the grounds.

Entry includes a 20-minute harbour cruise, 10-15 minute guide talks and more than 30 buildings and ruins.2

How long is a Port Arthur ticket valid?
Two consecutive days.

Entry tickets are valid for two consecutive days, which lets you split the visit.3

Can you buy tickets at Port Arthur on the day?
Yes, but booking ahead is advised.

The site says pre-booking is the best way to secure your preferred day and time.46

Do children need a ticket at Port Arthur?
Yes, even the youngest.

Children aged 3 and under enter free but still need a booked ticket.15

Is the Ghost Tour included in a day ticket?
No, it is sold separately.

The Ghost Tour costs AUD 35 for an adult and does not include daytime entry.22,44

Can I get a refund on Port Arthur tickets?
With 48 hours notice.

Direct bookings are refunded with at least 48 hours notice, minus a 25% fee.6

Do I need a parks pass for Port Arthur?
Not for the site ticket.

The site ticket is a separate admission; a parks pass is needed for national parks.54

Sources

  1. Port Arthur Historic Site Management Authority (portarthur.org.au) · Port Arthur Entry (General Admission) ↩
  2. Port Arthur Historic Site Management Authority (portarthur.org.au) · Port Arthur Entry (General Admission) ↩
  3. Port Arthur Historic Site Management Authority (portarthur.org.au) · Travelling with Kids ↩
  4. Port Arthur Historic Site Management Authority (portarthur.org.au) · Port Arthur Essentials Tour ↩
  5. Port Arthur Historic Site Management Authority (portarthur.org.au) · Premium Tour ↩
  6. Port Arthur Historic Site Management Authority (portarthur.org.au) · FAQs ↩
  7. Port Arthur Historic Site Management Authority (portarthur.org.au) · Travelling with Kids ↩
  8. Port Arthur Historic Site Management Authority (portarthur.org.au) · Travelling with Kids ↩
  9. Port Arthur Historic Site Management Authority (portarthur.org.au) · FAQs ↩
  10. Port Arthur Historic Site Management Authority (portarthur.org.au) · Port Arthur Entry (General Admission) ↩
  11. Port Arthur Historic Site Management Authority (portarthur.org.au) · Port Arthur Entry (General Admission) ↩
  12. Port Arthur Historic Site Management Authority (portarthur.org.au) · Port Arthur Entry (General Admission) ↩
  13. Port Arthur Historic Site Management Authority (portarthur.org.au) · Plan your visit ↩
  14. Port Arthur Historic Site Management Authority (portarthur.org.au) · Conditions of ticket purchase & entry ↩
  15. Port Arthur Historic Site Management Authority (portarthur.org.au) · Travelling with Kids ↩
  16. Port Arthur Historic Site Management Authority (portarthur.org.au) · Conditions of ticket purchase & entry ↩
  17. Port Arthur Historic Site Management Authority (portarthur.org.au) · Conditions of ticket purchase & entry ↩
  18. Port Arthur Historic Site Management Authority (portarthur.org.au) · Conditions of ticket purchase & entry ↩
  19. Port Arthur Historic Site Management Authority (portarthur.org.au) · Conditions of ticket purchase & entry ↩
  20. Port Arthur Historic Site Management Authority (portarthur.org.au) · Port Arthur Entry (General Admission) ↩
  21. Port Arthur Historic Site Management Authority (portarthur.org.au) · Plan your visit ↩
  22. Port Arthur Historic Site Management Authority (portarthur.org.au) · Ghost Tour ↩
  23. Port Arthur Historic Site Management Authority (portarthur.org.au) · Escape from Port Arthur ↩
  24. Port Arthur Historic Site Management Authority (portarthur.org.au) · Isle of the Dead Tour ↩
  25. Port Arthur Historic Site Management Authority (portarthur.org.au) · Port Arthur Essentials Tour ↩
  26. Port Arthur Historic Site Management Authority (portarthur.org.au) · Premium Tour ↩
  27. Port Arthur Historic Site Management Authority (portarthur.org.au) · Premium Tour ↩
  28. Port Arthur Historic Site Management Authority (portarthur.org.au) · Premium Tour ↩
  29. Port Arthur Historic Site Management Authority (portarthur.org.au) · Isle of the Dead Tour ↩
  30. Port Arthur Historic Site Management Authority (portarthur.org.au) · Conditions of ticket purchase & entry ↩
  31. Port Arthur Historic Site Management Authority (portarthur.org.au) · Conditions of ticket purchase & entry ↩
  32. Port Arthur Historic Site Management Authority (portarthur.org.au) · FAQs ↩
  33. Port Arthur Historic Site Management Authority (portarthur.org.au) · Port Arthur Essentials Tour ↩
  34. Port Arthur Historic Site Management Authority (portarthur.org.au) · Plan your visit ↩
  35. Port Arthur Historic Site Management Authority (portarthur.org.au) · Premium Tour ↩
  36. Port Arthur Historic Site Management Authority (portarthur.org.au) · Escape from Port Arthur ↩
  37. Port Arthur Historic Site Management Authority (portarthur.org.au) · Escape from Port Arthur ↩
  38. Port Arthur Historic Site Management Authority (portarthur.org.au) · Wheel of Fate ↩
  39. Port Arthur Historic Site Management Authority (portarthur.org.au) · Wheel of Fate ↩
  40. Port Arthur Historic Site Management Authority (portarthur.org.au) · Wheel of Fate ↩
  41. Port Arthur Historic Site Management Authority (portarthur.org.au) · Wheel of Fate ↩
  42. Port Arthur Historic Site Management Authority (portarthur.org.au) · FAQs ↩
  43. Port Arthur Historic Site Management Authority (portarthur.org.au) · Plan your visit ↩
  44. Port Arthur Historic Site Management Authority (portarthur.org.au) · FAQs ↩
  45. Port Arthur Historic Site Management Authority (portarthur.org.au) · FAQs ↩
  46. Port Arthur Historic Site Management Authority (portarthur.org.au) · FAQs ↩
  47. Port Arthur Historic Site Management Authority (portarthur.org.au) · FAQs ↩
  48. Port Arthur Historic Site Management Authority (portarthur.org.au) · FAQs ↩
  49. Port Arthur Historic Site Management Authority (portarthur.org.au) · FAQs ↩
  50. Port Arthur Historic Site Management Authority (portarthur.org.au) · FAQs ↩
  51. Port Arthur Historic Site Management Authority (portarthur.org.au) · Conditions of ticket purchase & entry ↩
  52. Pennicott Wilderness Journeys (operator official site) · Cape Raoul Cruises ↩
  53. Port Arthur Historic Site Management Authority (portarthur.org.au) · The Port Arthur Picnic Pack ↩
  54. Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service (parks.tas.gov.au) · Tasman National Park ↩
  55. Pennicott Wilderness Journeys (operator official site) · Port Arthur Bus ↩
  56. Pennicott Wilderness Journeys (operator official site) · Port Arthur Bus ↩

Also worth reading

More to read before you go

GuidePort Arthur tours from Hobart comparedGuideThe Port Arthur ghost tourGuidePort Arthur harbour cruise and wilderness cruisesGuideIs Port Arthur worth it, and do you need a tour

One last thing

Keep a seat on the Port Arthur coach.

Free cancellation runs until 24 hours before, and the date picker shows which days from Hobart are open and what they cost today.

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