Thirty-five people were killed at and near a Tasmanian historic site.
Updated 20 Aug 2026
On 28 April 1996, a gunman opened fire at the Port Arthur historic site and nearby locations in southeastern Tasmania. Thirty-five people were killed. [1]
The offender was captured the following morning, pleaded guilty to murder and other offences, and received multiple life sentences without parole. [2]
4 sourced milestones
Major events in the case, shown in chronological order.
A gunman opened fire at the Port Arthur historic site and nearby locations in southeastern Tasmania, killing 35 people.
Source: Prime Minister of Australia ↗The siege ended the following morning when police arrested the wounded gunman after a fire at the guesthouse where he had remained.
Source: Prime Minister of Australia ↗The offender pleaded guilty to murder and other offences and received multiple life sentences without the possibility of parole.
Source: Prime Minister of Australia ↗Australian governments agreed to the National Firearms Agreement and a national buyback in the aftermath of the massacre.
Source: Prime Minister of Australia ↗0 videos
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