28 Ghost Towns That Have Transformed Into Tourist Hotspots

13. Port Arthur, Australia: A Hauntingly Beautiful Penal Settlement

Once a feared penal colony in the 19th century, Port Arthur in Tasmania, Australia has transformed into one of the country's most visited historic sites. This eerie yet stunning destination tells the harrowing tales of convicts who were sent here as punishment during Britain's colonial era. Though abandoned as a prison in the 1870s, Port Arthur’s haunting ruins—surrounded by lush forests and serene waters—now attract history buffs and ghost hunters alike. Guided tours bring visitors through its crumbling penitentiary, eerie chapel, and solitary confinement cells, recounting chilling stories of hardship and escape attempts. At night, the site takes on a supernatural allure, with ghost tours offering a spine-tingling exploration of its tragic past. Beyond its haunting history, Port Arthur is also a UNESCO-listed cultural landmark and a place of reflection on Australia’s penal heritage. Its blend of natural beauty, convict history, and dark tourism makes it a fascinating ghost town that has found new life in the modern era.