Reach by boat the haunting Isle of the Dead — the burial ground for more than 1,100 convicts and free settlers — then cross to Point Puer, the British Empire's first reformatory for juvenile male convicts. Deeply moving and profoundly human.
What to expect
A short harbour boat transfers you to the island, where your guide leads a walking tour through rows of sandstone headstones — only the free settlers received marked graves; convict burials were largely unmarked, a policy your guide dissects with quiet authority. The contrast between the pastoral beauty of the harbour and the weight of what lies underfoot is arresting. Point Puer adds another dimension: the story of boys as young as nine sentenced to transportation. Both stops together paint the full, unvarnished portrait of the convict system.
Good to know
Tours depart multiple times daily from the Port Arthur jetty — check timing with the visitor centre on arrival. Combine with the Premium Tour for a full-day immersion. Book the boat tour ticket at the visitor centre on arrival or pre-book online. Terrain on the Isle is uneven; sturdy footwear recommended.