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Hobart to Port Arthur Drive: Stops, Time & Camping
Updated: Oct 5
The drive from Hobart to Port Arthur is one of Tasmania's best short road trips. It's only about an hour and a half on sealed roads, but along the way you pass a coastal back road, oyster country, sea cliffs, a blowhole, a beach that looks like it's been tiled, and a wildlife park where Tasmanian devils roam free. At the end is the Port Arthur Historic Site, one of Australia's most important convict sites.
You can do it as a day trip, but we reckon it's much better with a night or two on the Tasman Peninsula. Your Port Arthur ticket is valid for two consecutive days anyway. Here's how to plan it in a campervan, from the route and our favourite stops to where you can actually park up for the night.
Fast facts
Distance | About 95 km direct from Hobart CBD |
Drive time (no stops) | Around 1 hr 20 min – 1 hr 30 min on the highway; allow about 10 minutes more via the Dodges Ferry coast road |
With stops | Allow a full day |
Route | A3 Tasman Highway to Sorell, then the A9 Arthur Highway to Port Arthur, or turn off the A9 onto the C334 coast road via Dodges Ferry between Sorell and Dunalley |
Road conditions | Sealed and campervan-friendly the whole way; winding in sections past Dunalley and Eaglehawk Neck |
Best season | Year-round. December–March for the warmest weather and longest days (and lavender in bloom December–February); March–May for quieter autumn days |
Port Arthur entry | Adult $55, child $27.50, concession $44. Valid for two consecutive days. Open 9am–5pm daily, closed Christmas Day |
EV charging | Sorell (fast charger), Dunalley (65 kW), Port Arthur (Exploren, 60 kW) |
Parks Pass | Needed for most natural stops: Tasman Arch, Devils Kitchen, the Blowhole, the Tessellated Pavement, Remarkable Cave and Fortescue Bay |
Overnight in a van | Fortescue Bay or Lime Bay (Parks campgrounds) or NRMA Port Arthur Holiday Park |
The well-maintained, sealed roads and clear directions make this journey easy for all travelers, including those in campervans. Along the way, you’ll discover historic vineyards, pristine beaches perfect for a refreshing dip, and the chance to explore Australia’s convict history at the Port Arthur Historic Site. Whether you love history, nature, or just want an unforgettable adventure, this road trip has something for everyone.
Planning Your Trip from Hobart to Port Arthur
Best Time to Visit
The best time for this road trip is during Tasmania’s warmer months, from December to March, when the weather is mild, and the long daylight hours allow plenty of time to explore. Autumn (March to May) is also a great option, offering fewer crowds, colorful foliage, and unexpectedly warm seas, heated by the summer sun—perfect for a refreshing dip.
Campervan Rental Options
Renting a campervan is the best way to enjoy this journey. Options range from basic models to luxurious, fully-equipped vans perfect for exploring Tasmania. Campervans offer the flexibility to stay overnight at scenic spots and cook meals on the go, making the adventure even better. A favorite camping spot on the Tasman Peninsula is Fortescue Bay, where you’ll find a pristine beach, hot showers, and access to the Cape Hauy hike.
Packing Essentials
Be ready for Tasmania’s unpredictable weather by packing layers, including a waterproof jacket. Essentials to bring are sunscreen, comfortable walking shoes, a reusable water bottle, and a camera to capture the beautiful views. Our campervans are equipped with spare duvets, binoculars, and sunscreen, so you don’t have to carry extras. Don’t forget to stock up on groceries and snacks, especially if you plan to cook meals in your campervan. Your last main grocery stop on your way will be at the town of Sorell. Doing your big shop on the peninsula will likely be more expensive.
Map of the Tasman Peninsula Route
To help you plan your journey, here is a detailed map showing the route from Hobart to Port Arthur, which can also be done in reverse (from Port Arthur to Hobart drive), highlighting the key stops mentioned above. This visual guide ensures you won’t miss any must-see locations or detours.
How to get from Hobart to Port Arthur
Hobart to Sorell
Best Stops around Sorell
Sorell: The last stop where you will find big supermarket chains to stock up.
Dodges Ferry & Carlton Beach: Perfect for a refreshing beach walk.
Dunalley Bay: Admire the serene waters and fishing boats.
Route Overview:
From Hobart, cross the Tasman Bridge and follow the A3 Tasman Highway past the airport to Sorell (about 25 minutes). Sorell is your last big town for fuel and groceries, so stock up here. The quickest way on from Sorell is the A9 Arthur Highway.
Notable Sights:
Take a swim or learn how to surf at Carlton Beach where the crystal clear waters await. The beach itself is about 3kms long and is perfect for a run too. If you have a stand up paddle or like snorkelling, go around the cliffs and you will be in the middle of protected sea kelp forest.
Look for the historic swing bridge over the Dunalley Canal. If you're lucky, you might even spot seals going under.
Spot wildlife such as pelicans and black swans near the water. If you happen to be driving during sunset and sunrise, you're lielly to see heaps of pademelons and wallabies, so drive slowly.
Places to eat:
There are two cafes in Dodges Ferry, the historical one; Park Beach Cafe and the newest one; Beach Bums with two fairly different ambiances. Choose your mood and support the local economy, they will both thank you for it.
Spending more time on the Tasman Peninsula? Download our 2-3 Day Tasman Peninsula Self-Drive Tour
Dunalley to Eaglehawk Neck
Best stops at Eaglehawk Neck
This is where the drive really starts earning its reputation. Within a few minutes of each other you'll find:
Cubed Espresso: a vintage coffee van at the Pirates Bay Lookout on Pirates Bay Drive, with specialty coffee, house-made baked goods and one of the best café views in Tasmania, across Pirates Bay to Cape Hauy and Hippolyte Rock. It's generally open Thursday to Monday, and every day in school and public holidays.
Tessellated Pavement: a flat rock shelf cracked into near-perfect tiles, a flat 5–10 minute walk from the car park on Pirates Bay Drive. Go at or near low tide, when the pans hold water, and wear shoes with grip, as it's slippery when wet. You'll need a Parks Pass.
The Dog Line: Eaglehawk Neck is a thin isthmus, and in convict times a tethered line of fierce dogs kept watch across it for escapees. The nearby Officers' Quarters (1832) is believed to be the oldest military building in Australia, and you don't need a Parks Pass to visit it.
Pirates Bay Lookout: Stop for panoramic views of the Tasman Sea. If you're lucky you might spot Dolphins, Whales and the elusive Orcas.
The Blowhole: best in a big swell, when the sea shoots up through a collapsed sea cave. You'll need a Parks Pass. Right next door is the tiny shack village of Doo Town, where every house name is a play on "Doo".
Tasman Arch and Devils Kitchen: a huge natural rock bridge and a 60 m-deep cleft where the Southern Ocean smashes into the cliffs, both short walks from the same car park. You'll need a Parks Pass. Keen walkers can continue about 3.4 km return (roughly 1.5 hours) along the clifftops to Waterfall Bay.
Route Overview:
From Dunalley, follow the A9 Arthur Highway as it winds towards Eaglehawk Neck. The drive offers glimpses of the rugged coastline and lush forests.
Historical Significance:
Eaglehawk Neck was once guarded by the "Dog Line," a security measure of dogs on "long leash" to prevent convicts from escaping the Tasman Peninsula. It is the narrowest point of the Peninsula.
Eaglehawk Neck to Port Arthur
Best Stops at Port Arthur
Tasmanian Devil Unzoo: The Unzoo is a wildlife park without cages or fences, where you can see Tasmanian devils up close and hand-feed kangaroos on bushland trails. It's open daily except Christmas Day. Check the Unzoo website for current prices and feeding times.
Tasmanian Chocolate Foundry: If you're a chocolate fan like us, this is a dangerous stop.
Port Arthur Lavender Farm: Just before the Historic Site at 6555 Arthur Highway, this lavender farm has a café, free self-guided displays on how lavender is grown and distilled, and plenty of lavender treats. The fields are in bloom from December to February. Open daily 10am–4pm (9am–4pm from January to Easter), closed Christmas Day.
Port Arthur Historic Site: Immerse yourself in the history of this UNESCO World Heritage-listed convict settlement.
Route Overview:
Continue on the A9 Arthur Highway for the final leg of the journey. As you approach Port Arthur, the dramatic landscape transitions into a mix of dense forests and open fields.
Prefer the wineries? Do Hobart to Richmond first!
Featured Stops:
Domaine A Stoney Vineyard: A vineyard like no other where you feel like sitting on a Mediterranean terrace. It is the oldest Tasmanian Vineyard of Coal River Valley.
Richmond: Discover the iconic Richmond Bridge, Richmond Gaol, and boutique shops. One of our favorites there is Richmond reading room cafe offering you a quaint little place to read a book and plan your day.
Route Overview:
Leave Hobart by crossing the Tasman Bridge and head east on the A3 Tasman Highway towards Cambridge. From Cambridge, take the B31 Cambridge Road and follow it north into the Coal River Valley.
Notable Sights:
Spot the Killara Distillery and score yourself a tour to understand how gin and whisky is made.
Keep an eye out for the University of Tasmania’s white radio telescope.
Find out more with our guide Best Things to do in Richmond, Tasmania.
Historical Significance:
This route highlights Tasmania’s convict heritage, with Richmond Gaol being one of the earliest correctional facilities, predating the infamous Port Arthur. Before the Tasman Highway was built, Richmond's bridge was the southernmost crossing from west to east for Hobartians, spanning the Coal River.
A day with stops: our suggested plan
The drive times on google maps above assume you don't stop, but you'll want to. Here's how we'd spend the day, arriving at Port Arthur with time to spare and using the two-day ticket to see the site properly.
9:00am | Leave Hobart. Quick stop in Sorell for fuel and supplies. |
10:30am | Turn off onto the C334 coast road via Dodges Ferry to Dunalley. |
11:00am | Grab a takeaway homemade pie for your next stop at The Lanterns in Dunalley. |
11:30am | Coffee with a view at Cubed Espresso Bar, Pirates Bay Lookout. |
12:00pm | Eaglehawk Neck: the Dog Line, the Tessellated Pavement, the Blowhole, Tasman Arch and Devils Kitchen. |
2:00pm | Tasmanian Devil Unzoo at Taranna. |
4:00pm | Port Arthur Lavender, then check in to camp. |
Evening | Port Arthur ghost tour (Wednesday–Sunday). |
Next day | A full day at the Port Arthur Historic Site (your ticket covers two consecutive days), plus Remarkable Cave. Top up at the Exploren charger at Port Arthur if you're in an electric camper. |
Port Arthur Historic Site
The Port Arthur Historic Site is part of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Australian Convict Sites. More than 30 buildings, ruins, restored houses and gardens are spread over the grounds, and the site recommends allowing at least half a day.
Tickets and opening hours
Hours: 9am–5pm daily, closed Christmas Day.
Prices: Adult $55, child $27.50, concession $44.
Valid for two consecutive days, so arrive in the afternoon, then come back the next morning.
Included: self-guided access to the site, short guide talks, a 20-minute harbour cruise and a self-guided audio experience.
Tours worth adding
Ghost Tour: a 90-minute lantern-lit walk (about 2 km) through the buildings after dark. Adult $35, child $18. Runs Wednesday to Sunday year-round, with 6pm and 8pm departures from April to September and 7pm, 8:20pm and 9pm from October to March. You'll need a daytime entry ticket too, and it isn't wheelchair accessible.
Harbour cruise: included with entry, and the easiest way to see the Isle of the Dead and Point Puer boys' prison from the water. Landing tours cost extra.
Parking your campervan at Port Arthur
There's a signposted large-vehicle car park, but it's for business hours only. It's not an overnight spot, and long-term parking is reserved for Three Capes Track walkers. Head to one of the campgrounds below once the site closes (or after the ghost tour).
More to see near Port Arthur
Remarkable Cave
About 9 minutes south of the Historic Site on sealed Safety Cove Road. A fairly steep staircase leads down to a viewing platform above a sea cave that frames the Southern Ocean. The upgraded Maingon Bay Lookout in the same car park is wheelchair-accessible. Stay on the platform, as the swell here is dangerous. You'll need a Parks Pass.
Cape Hauy walk (Fortescue Bay)
For a taste of the Three Capes Track without the multi-day hike, the Cape Hauy walk from Fortescue Bay is a cracker. It's roughly 8–9.5 km return (sources differ) and takes about 4 hours, with thousands of stone steps and huge views of sea stacks at the end. It's in Tasman National Park, so you'll need a Parks Pass.
Coal Mines Historic Site
On the western side of the peninsula near Saltwater River are the ruins of Tasmania's first operational mine, a quieter, free alternative convict site. It pairs perfectly with a night at Lime Bay.
For a longer loop of the peninsula, including Nubeena, White Beach and more walks, read our full guide to exploring the Tasman Peninsula in a campervan.
Where to camp on the Tasman Peninsula?
Fortescue Bay (Tasman National Park)
A sheltered white-sand bay about 12 km down an unsealed road (C344) off the Arthur Highway. The road is 2WD suitable in normal conditions but can be corrugated after rain. Mill Creek sites take campervans, and there are toilets, token showers, BBQs and drinking water. Fees start from $13 a night for two people, plus a Parks Pass. Bookings are recommended from 1 October to 30 April; outside that it's first-come, first-served. It's also the start of the Cape Hauy walk.
Lime Bay State Reserve
A peaceful waterside campground in the peninsula's north-west, with the last 6.5 km on gravel. There are no bookings: it's self-registration with card-only payment, from $13 a night for two people. Facilities are basic, with pump-flush toilets, fire pits (subject to seasonal fire bans) and tank water to boil before drinking. No pets. It fills up on long weekends, so arrive early.
NRMA Port Arthur Holiday Park
The easy option if you want power and showers. It's on Stewarts Bay, with a walking track to the Historic Site, and has powered sites, a camp kitchen, laundry and a dump point. No pets.
Tips for driving Hobart to Port Arthur
Fuel and food up in Sorell. There are services on the peninsula, but fewer and pricier.
Take the coast road via Dodges Ferry. It's only about 10 minutes longer than the highway to Dunalley, with far better views.
Stay the night. Your Port Arthur ticket covers two consecutive days, so there's no need to rush it in one.
Don't drive at dusk if you can avoid it. Wildlife is everywhere on the Arthur Highway after dark, so arrive at camp before sunset.
Check the tides. The Tessellated Pavement is best at low tide; the Blowhole is best in a big swell.
Get a Parks Pass before you go. You'll need one at almost every natural stop on the drive: the Tessellated Pavement, the Blowhole, Tasman Arch, Devils Kitchen, Remarkable Cave and Fortescue Bay. A 24-hour vehicle pass is $49.15. If you'll visit other parks on your trip, the Holiday Pass ($98.35 for up to two months) is better value.
Charging an EV? If you're in one of our electric campervans, you can top up at the Sorell fast charger, the 65 kW charger in Dunalley and the Exploren 60 kW charger at Port Arthur. All are included in the charging network that comes with our electric vans.
Book the ghost tour ahead in summer. Evening sessions fill up during school holidays.
Take layers. Even in summer, the wind off the Tasman Sea can be cold at the cliffs.
Explore the Tasman Peninsula at your own pace
The best way to do Hobart to Port Arthur is to not rush it. Pick up one of our off-grid vans in Hobart, each fitted out with Tasmanian timber and named in palawa kani. Tukana, fittingly, means Tasman Peninsula. Then give yourself time for a coffee at Pirates Bay, a quiet night at Fortescue Bay and a second day at Port Arthur. Browse our campervans, or let us plan it for you with our 2–3 day Tasman Peninsula self-drive tour. Spending more time in the city first? Start with our list of things to do in Hobart.
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Hobart to Port Arthur: FAQs
How long is the drive from Hobart to Port Arthur?
It's about 95 km and 1 hour 20 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes without stops, via the A3 Tasman Highway and the A9 Arthur Highway. Taking the scenic C334 coast road via Dodges Ferry adds about 10 minutes. With stops at Dunalley, Eaglehawk Neck and Taranna, allow a full day.
Is Port Arthur worth a day trip from Hobart?
Yes, but it's a big day. The Historic Site alone deserves at least half a day, and the coastal stops on the way take a few more hours. Since tickets are valid for two consecutive days, staying overnight lets you see everything, including the ghost tour, without rushing.
How much does it cost to get into Port Arthur?
General admission is $55 for adults, $27.50 for children and $44 concession, valid for two consecutive days. It includes short guide talks, a harbour cruise and an audio guide. The ghost tour is extra ($35 adult, $18 child).
Can you stay overnight at Port Arthur in a campervan?
Not in the Historic Site car park, which is for business hours only. The nearest options are NRMA Port Arthur Holiday Park (powered sites) on Stewarts Bay, Fortescue Bay campground in Tasman National Park, and Lime Bay State Reserve.
Is the road to Port Arthur suitable for campervans?
Yes. The Arthur Highway (A9) and the C334 coast road via Dodges Ferry are sealed and fine for campervans, though winding in places. The only gravel you'll meet is on the side roads to campgrounds like Fortescue Bay (about 12 km) and Lime Bay (about 6.5 km).
Do you need a national parks pass to visit the Tasman Peninsula?
Yes, for most stops. You'll need a Parks Pass at the Tessellated Pavement, the Blowhole, Tasman Arch, Devils Kitchen, Remarkable Cave and Fortescue Bay (including the Cape Hauy walk). The Eaglehawk Neck Officers' Quarters doesn't need one, and the Port Arthur Historic Site has its own separate ticket. A 24-hour vehicle pass is $49.15, or $98.35 for a Holiday Pass covering up to two months.
Set off on an unforgettable road trip to explore Tasmania’s rich history, stunning landscapes, and unique charm. Whether you're a first-time visitor or a seasoned traveler, the journey to Port Arthur from Hobart will create lasting memories.
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