Convict Trail: Pirates Bay
A drive yourself touring trail to important convict sites. Look for the yellow arrows showing the location of interpretation panels.
The Convict Trail offers the opportunity to explore Tasmania’s convict heritage in places where the past seems just a clink of chains away.
Convicts could be sent here ‘for the term of their natural lives’… you won’t need that long to explore the Convict Trail but you will certainly need more than a day!
It takes most people a minimum of four hours to see Port Arthur Historic Site alone and the Tasman Peninsula is dotted with ruins that echo the stories of the men who were among the most hardened of the convicts sent to Tasmania.
There’s so much to see and do on this journey – far too much for one day! Remember to book accommodation so you can enjoy the attractions and activities of the Tasman and don’t forget to include the spinechilling nightly ghost tour at Port Arthur.
For more information, see the following articles:
1.1 The Convict Experience
1.2 Introduction
2.1 Eaglehawk Neck: The Pydairrerme
2.2 Eaglehawk Neck: A Man and His Dogs
3.1 Norfolk Bay (Taranna): The Whaleboat
3.2 Norfolk Bay (Taranna): The First Railway
4.1 Cascades (Koonya): Forests and Orchards
4.2 Cascades (Koonya): The Apple Industry
5.1 Impression Bay (Premaydena): The Emigrants
5.2 Impression Bay (Premaydena): Semaphore System
6.1 Saltwater River: The Convict System
6.2 Saltwater River: Bond to Free
7.1 Coal Mines: Link to World Heritage Coal Mines Historic Site
7.2 Coal Mines: Gardens of Hell
8.1 Port Arthur: Link to World Heritage Port Arthur Historic Site
8.2 Port Arthur: After the Convicts
9.1 Tasman Arch: Tourism
9.2 Tasman Arch: Tasman Arch to Waterfall Bay 1.7 km
World Heritage – Australian Convict Sites
Tasmania's first mine, a place of punishment for the 'worst class' of convicts. Self guided, half an hour from Port Arthur.
Join a lantern-lit walking tour to experience the World Heritage listed Port Arthur Historic Site by night. Port Arthur can seem a very different place after sunset, full of mystery and intrigue.
The Paranormal Investigation Experience, which runs the last Saturday of each month, allows participants to conduct paranormal investigations and ghost hunting at the Port Arthur Historic Site.
World Heritage – Australian Convict Sites
Port Arthur Historic Site is a special place of vivid history, cultural heritage and stories so compelling, you’ll want to hear them again and again.
The Peninsula's Convict Trail
A drive yourself touring trail to important convict sites. Look for the yellow arrows showing the location of interpretation panels.