Hobart serves as the gateway to Tasmania’s Convict Trail; day trips and overnight excursions typically depart from here and nearly always include a stop at the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Port Arthur Historic Site, considered the most intact convict site in Australia. To get the full Convict Trail experience, take a high-speed boat trip along the coastal sea cliffs from Eaglehawk Neck or go hiking in Tasman National Park.
The Convict Trail is a must for history buffs, nature lovers, and photographers.
Plan to spend one to three days exploring the trail.
Be sure to pack sturdy walking shoes, especially for stops at the national park.
As most of the trail is open-air, ensure that you wear sunscreen and take plenty of water on your excursions.
The Convict Trail begins in the town of Richmond, which is 17 miles (27 kilometers) from Hobart. The easiest way to take in the trail is by self-driving, but it’s possible to visit some areas, such as the Port Arthur Historic Site, on a day trip from Hobart.
Individual attractions on the Convict Trail maintain their own hours. The best time to visit generally falls between December and February—summer in Australia—when the weather is warm and dry enough for enjoying the trail’s outdoor attractions.
The Convict Trail follows 149 miles (240 kilometers) of the Great North Road between Sydney and the Hunter Valley. This road, still used today, was built between 1826 and 1836 by hundreds of convicts working in leg irons. It was considered one of Australia’s greatest engineering feats of the nineteenth century.