UNESCO World Heritage-listed historic complex located at Port Arthur, Tasmania. Site of former timber station and penal settlement built in 1830 for Britain's criminals, that accommodated over 3,500 convicts. The 100 acres complex includes thirty historic buildings and ruins, some structures dating from the convict period (1830-1877) whilst others are from later periods, as well as a visitors centre and gallery.
Historic buildings on the site were restored, ruins stabilised, and tourist facilities built during a government funded project running from 1979-1986. The 1987 Port Arthur Historic Site Management Authority Act created and transferred authority over the site to the Port Arthur Historic Site Management Authority (PAHSMA), a government business enterprise (GBE) at state level.
