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Port Arthur Description: Located in Tasmania, Port Arthur is a former penal colony which originally opened as a timber station in 1830. It became a prison settlement for male convicts in 1833 and quickly gained a reputation for being ‘hell-on-earth.’ Convicts ranged from young boys aged between 9 and 18 through to hardened criminals who had to work in chain gangs and wear leg irons. The prison closed in 1877 and was renamed Carnarvon in an attempt to lose its former associations; it was however reinstated as Port Arthur in 1927. Today, the prison is open to the public and visitors can walk around the site imagining how life would have been for the convicts who served there. There are around 30 ruins and restored buildings at the site, as well as 40 hectares (99 acres) of English-style gardens. Visitors can take part in guided tours and harbour cruises. There is also an interpretation gallery where visitors can find out about some of the convicts that were sentenced there. For an extra fee, there are also isle of the dead tours, as well as ghost tours after dark. Contact Addresses: Visitor Centre, Port Arthur Historic Site, Port Arthur, Tasmania 7182, Australia Tel: (1800) 659 101. Fax: (1800) 659 202. E-mail: bookings@portarthur.org.au or visitor.centre@portarthur.org.au Website: www.portarthur.org.au Transportation: Air: Hobart International Airport. Road: Coach: Tigerline and Experience Tasmania operate day tours (from Hobart). Car: Reached by scenic drive, which takes approximately 1.5 hours along the Tasman and Arthur highways. Opening Times: Grounds and ruins: Daily 0830-dusk. Tours: 0900-1630 at regular intervals during the day. Visitor Centre: 0830-close of Historic Ghost tours at night. Ghost tours depart from the visitor centre every night after dusk (except 25 Dec). Admission Fees: Grounds and ruins: A$22 (adult), A$10 (child). Concessions and family passes available. Tickets are valid for two days, allowing visitors a chance to stay overnight. Ghost Tour: A$14 (adult), A$8.60 (child). 
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