The Tasman Peninsula is a place of breathtaking seascapes, some of the tallest seacliffs in the world, and wild ocean views.

A four-day journey that takes you from the historic village of Richmond through the Coal River Valley home of some of Tasmania’s best cool climate wineries, on to Port Arthur Historic Site, stopping in to see Tasmanian devils, panoramic views and rock formations. You will have the time to explore Tasman National Park, scuba dive if that is your passion or take a boat ride beside 300-metre (900-foot) sea cliffs. The idea is to slow down and take in this strange and poignant tale of human suffering in a place of such singular beauty. A day at Port Arthur includes a tour to Point Puer (the boys’ prison), the Saltmines and even a ghost tour.

Richmond was the first military garrison town out of Hobart, and its picture postcard streetscape encourages you to wander and explore – antiques, restaurants and crafts. Richmond is the focus of the Coal River Valley wine region and the surrounding area is dotted with boutique wineries – some serving delicious lunches and most offering wine tastings.

When Governor George Arthur came up with the idea to build a prison on the Peninsula’s southern-most tip, he may have thought he had found the perfect place to reform the criminal mind but he could never have imagined how powerful and important it would become to Australia’s understanding of its history. Some 73,000 convicts were transported to Van Diemens Land and about one in five served time at Port Arthur.

• Richmond Gaol
• Sorell Fruit Farm
• Cape Hauy Walk

Approximately 25 minutes' drive from Hobart is the historic town of Richmond, home of Australia's oldest bridge and oldest Catholic church. Old Hobart Town is a carefully constructed model of Hobart as it was in 1820 and a fitting display for a town such as Richmond, with its village atmosphere, strong connections with its colonial past, antique shops, art and craft galleries and tea rooms.

Close by are the vineyards and wineries of the Coal River Valley, part of the Southern Tasmanian Wine Regions where you can taste award-winning cool-climate wines.

On the way to the Tasman Peninsula, which is one-and-a-half-hours’ drive from Richmond, take a break in Sorell and explore its many historic buildings. Stop and stretch your legs at the Sorell Fruit Farm, where the range of fresh berries you can purchase in season is astounding - strawberries, raspberries, blackcurrants and many more, all waiting for you to pick. In warmer months an extensive range of other fruit and fresh vegetables is also available.

Farther down the road visit the Copping’s Colonial and Convict Exhibition, and its extensive collection of interesting artefacts. Take another break at Dunalley, where you can sample local produce, including fresh seafood.

Now follow the arrows on the Convict Trail deep into the past. At Eaglehawk Neck stop at the lookout over Pirates’ Bay - a magnificent beach bounded by dramatic coastline. Once down on the neck itself, walk the dog line near the Officers’ Quarters and try to imagine the degree of desperation necessary to drive convicts to attempt escape through this impossibly thin isthmus, guarded as it was by soldiers and 11 savage dogs.

Meet a Tasmanian Devil at the Tasmanian Devil Park at Taranna. The park now also boasts a new outdoor free-flight bird show, Kings of the Wind.

The Port Arthur site and its surrounds are an incomparable combination of history, heritage, superb coastal scenery and a broad range of visitor experiences. Traditionally the convict ruins themselves have been the major drawcard at the historic site, and the new visitor centre and extensive ongoing conservation work. It is best to allow yourself at least a full day to explore Port Arthur Historic Site. Between 1830 and 1877 an estimated 12,500 sentences were served at the settlement. Those were times of great social and political upheaval, and Port Arthur underwent many changes in its 47 years of operation. One of the harshest reminders of convict life is the Model Prison. This was built to enforce a form of "silent" punishment introduced when flogging was discontinued. Each cell contained a solitary prisoner, and the only talking permitted was between a prisoner and a senior officer. The silent system was intended to give prisoners plenty of time to reflect upon their crimes, and it is reckoned to have broken many a stronger man than the lash ever subdued.

Entry to the Model Prison is nowadays via the Asylum, next door, where you can view audio-visual presentations and a museum of convict relics. Inspection of these two buildings is one of the highlights of Port Arthur for most visitors. A number of other buildings, including the opulent Commandant’s Residence, have been fully restored and furnished in period style and are open daily.

Don’t miss the Isle of the Dead Cruise, which departs from the historic site daily except for a short period in mid-winter. This island was Port Arthur’s burial ground during the convict era, and nearly 2,000 bodies are buried there. Massive slabs of stone, beautifully engraved but with many spelling mistakes, mark the resting places of free settlers. A small hut was built on the island to house its succession of sole grave diggers, the most famous of whom was a wild Irishman with an uncontrollable temper who caused authorities endless trouble. No wonder Port Arthur Ghost Tours are so popular.

Many people who visit the Tasman Peninsula come primarily to see Port Arthur and are surprised by the beauty of the entire area. Even those who have heard of the Devil’s Kitchen, Tasman Arch and the Tessellated Pavement are unprepared for the magnitude of the cliffs they encounter high above the shimmering ocean.

In the peninsula’s temperate waters, excellent visibility and distinctive biodiversity make scuba diving through its giant kelp forests and sea caves a delight. You can also explore the coast around Port Arthur by sea kayak.