The Port Arthur Historic Site Management Authority (PAHSMA) was established in 1987 with the primary mission of preserving and maintaining the Port Arthur Historic Site, a significant Australian tourism destination and one of the country’s most important heritage sites. This site, located on the Tasman Peninsula in Tasmania, was originally a convict settlement and penal colony during the 19th century.
In addition to managing Port Arthur, PAHSMA expanded its responsibilities in 2011 to include two other historically significant sites: the Coal Mines Historic Site and the Cascades Female Factory Historic Site. These sites, together with Port Arthur, form the Port Arthur Historic Sites, collectively recognized on the UNESCO World Heritage List. They are part of the Australian Convict Sites World Heritage Property, which was inscribed in 2010.
The Australian Convict Sites World Heritage Property comprises eleven penal sites across Australia, recognized for their outstanding universal value in representing the global phenomenon of convict transportation and its impact on global history. PAHSMA’s role includes conservation, interpretation, and promotion of these sites to ensure they are preserved for future generations and to educate visitors about their historical and cultural significance within Australia and beyond.
Visitor Centre (including Café & Gallery): 9am – 5pm
Car park: 8am – 5:30pm Sun-Tues; 8am – 10:30pm Wed-Sat
Grounds and museum houses: 9am – 5pm
Gift Shop: 10am – 5pm
1830 Restaurant & Bar: Wed-Sat, 5pm to late; reservations required
Ghost Tours: (Wed – Sat) tour times change throughout the year
We have options from coffee, grab and go snacks and hot lunches through to premium dining. Please speak to our staff if there are any dietary requirements.
If you happen to be staying in the area, turrakana/Tasman Peninsula producers and businesses offer specialties such as award-winning fish and chips and lavender ice-cream as well as world class produce, wines and spirits, many of which we use in our cafe.
Port Arthur is a popular destination. Pre-booking is the best way of making sure you can secure your entry on the day and time you prefer. Downloading or printing your ticket and having it ready before entering the Visitor Centre allows you to avoid queues at the Ticketing Counter and move through quickly to our Gallery and scan gates for entry onto the site.
Our tours have a limited capacity and run at set times throughout the day. Pre-booking your ticket will also ensure you, and your travelling companions are able to join your preferred tour at your preferred time.
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