Commandant's House

Perched on elevated ground within the Port Arthur Historic Site, the Commandant's House was constructed in 1833 as a modest four-room timber cottage for Commandant Charles O'Hara Booth. Over the ensuing decades, it expanded into a substantial residence befitting its occupants, featuring ornate gardens and high masonry walls that provided privacy and security. After the settlement's closure in 1877, the building transitioned into the Carnarvon Hotel in 1885 and later operated as a guest house until the 1930s. Today, it stands as a testament to the site's rich history, offering guided talks and serving as a focal point for visitors exploring Port Arthur's storied past.