Walking at the Pt Arthur Historic Site 1830

Pt Arthur is very close to many Australians' hearts. Not only does the area have magnificent scenery, but it is also a reminder of the connection to the harsh beginnings and realities of convict settlement. The buildings at the Pt Arhtur Historic Site have been, and continue to be, restored. In more recent times, most Australians can tell you where they were on the 28 April, 1996, when Martin Bryant massacred 35 people and wounded many more at the Broad Arrow Café, within the grounds of the site. It is not easy to say that anything positive came out of that day, however as a consequence of this dreadful event, our gun laws were changed to make it much harder for anyone to own a firearm.

It is a very easy site to walk around, is well sign-posted and a brochure and map is available from the information centre upon payment to enter. The interpretive centre is below the top level of where you enter and you should start there to get an introduction to the history of the site. More information is available from the Port Arthur Historic Site website.

Getting there

Many commercial tour companies offer one day trips to Pt Arthur and as a consequence, prices are competitive. A few trips also stop at the historic town of Richmond either on the way up or back to Pt Arthur. Look for tours which leave Hobart at 8am and return at 7pm as you'll get the longest time at the historic site(s).

You can also catch a bus up using either Tassielink or Redline coaches and independently pay for the entry fee into the historic site.

Walking Around Pt Arthur

Distance 1.5 km
Suggested Time: 4 hours
Suggested route: anti-clockwise direction*

Visitor Information Centre including education/interpretive centre underneath the building
Government Gardens, Government Cottage, Church ruins (Church of England), St David’s Church,
the Parsonage, Magistrate, Surgeon and Chaplain’s House,
Separate Prison, Asylum and Museum,
Hospital Ruins, Officers’ Quarters, Commandant’s House and Guard Tower, Commandant’s Office
Penitentiary
The Broad Arrow Cafe Memorial is below the Information Centre and shop complex.
Harbour Cruise (join at the Ferry Terminal)

*On the map available from the Information Centre, a yellow path is displayed which is suitable for wheelchairs.

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Pt Arthur was founded in 1830 and operated as a penal institution for those convicts who were repeat offenders until 1877. Originally housed in weatherboard huts, local rock was quarried and more permanent buildings began replacing these flimsy originals. During the first 60 years of the settlement, fire was a constant companion. The Church, built in 1836, the mill (1845) (which was later converted to a penitentiary in 1848) and the Hospital (1842) were severely damaged by fire. Other well-restored buildings include the Guard Tower (1842) and the Asylum (1868). The sandstone of many of these buildings is a beautiful honey colour.

After viewing the Penitentiary you will walk back across the grassed area, over the small bridge over the creek, ending up in front of the memorial at the Broad Arrow Café.

The plaque at the memorial reads “On Sunday, 28 April 1996, the Pt Arthur Historic Site was the site of a devastating violent crime. In this area and at other locations nearby, a single gunman killed 35 people and injured dozens more. Staff from the Historic Site were among the victims. 20 people died inside this building (the café). Immediately after the shootings, there were many acts of bravery and compassion around the site, and rescuers tended the injured, not knowing whether the gunman was still in the area.”

The dedication plaque shows 3 members of the Mikak family, the wife of Walter Mikak, (who survived), and his 2 very young daughters. It was Walter Mikak’s passionate lobbying to John Howard, PM of the day, which instigated the passing of new strict gun laws, in memory of all who died, were maimed and psychology scarred. Peter Sculthorpe, one of Australia’s best-known contemporary composers wrote a very poignant piece of music for the memorial service entitled Pt Arthur:In Memorium – a beautiful piece of music.

After walking around the site, if your entry ticket includes a boat tour of the harbour you will gain a great perspective looking back across the Historic Site from the water. For a small extra cost as part of the boat cruise, you can visit the Isle of the Dead, where about 1100 people are buried, including convicts, soldiers, paupers, lunatics and invalids; and Point Puer Boys Prison, which was the first boys’ prison for boys aged 14-17.

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