Cascades Female Factory, Hobart

Name: Cascades Female Factory
Address: 16 Degraves St, Hobart, 7004, Australia
Telephone: +61 3 6233 6656

#19 among attractions in Hobart

Museum, Historical place, Unesco

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Facts and practical information

The Cascades Female Factory is a poignant historical site nestled in the heart of Hobart, Australia. This UNESCO World Heritage-listed museum was originally established in 1828 and operated as a workhouse for female convicts until 1856. The factory is a stark reminder of Australia's convict past and the struggles faced by women who were transported to Tasmania, then known as Van Diemen's Land, as punishment for their crimes.

Located in the shadow of Mount Wellington, the Cascades Female Factory is an integral part of Hobart's rich cultural tapestry. What once was a place of harsh conditions and forced labor has been transformed into a museum that offers a window into the lives of over 5,000 women and children who passed through its gates.

Today, the site comprises a series of hauntingly empty yards, each one telling a different story of the female convict experience. The stories of loss, survival, and resilience are brought to life through a variety of interpretive displays and guided tours. Visitors can walk through the yards and buildings, imagining the daily routines and hardships faced by the inmates.

The museum not only educates the public about the female convicts' contributions to Tasmania's development but also serves as a memorial to these women's suffering and endurance. It provides a comprehensive historical context with its exhibits, including personal stories, artifacts, and records that offer a deeper understanding of this dark chapter in Australian history.

Alternative names: Opened: 1828 (196 years ago)Closed: 1856Unesco: from 2010Area: 17.52 acres (0.0274 mi²)Coordinates: 42°53'38"S, 147°17'56"E

Address

16 Degraves StHobart 7004 Australia

Contact

+61 3 6233 6656

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Day trips

Cascades Female Factory – popular in the area (distance from the attraction)

Nearby attractions include: Cascade Brewery, Fitzroy Gardens, Skate Park, Cascade Gardens.

0.4 miW
Nightlife, Outdoor seating, Brewery
Cascade Brewery, Hobart
10 min walk • Cascade Brewery is a brewery established in 1824 in South Hobart, Tasmania and is the oldest continually operating brewery in Australia. As well as beer, the site also produces a range of non-alcoholic products. It is home to a function centre, as well as operating tourism related ventures including guided tours and a retail outlet.
1 miE
42°53'40"S • 147°19'8"E
Fitzroy Gardens, Hobart
26 min walk • Park
1.5 miNE
42°52'38"S • 147°19'1"E
Skate Park, Hobart
38 min walk • Park
~1180 ftSW
42°53'43"S • 147°17'42"E
Cascade Gardens, Hobart
6 min walk • Park
1.6 miNE
Church, Gothic Revival architecture
Holy Trinity Church, Hobart
42 min walk • Holy Trinity Church is a former Anglican, and now Greek Orthodox, church in North Hobart, Tasmania. Holy Trinity has the oldest peal of bells of its type outside England. The church was designed in the Gothic Revival style by James Blackburn and consecrated in 1849. Rev. Philip Palmer was its first rector.
1.6 miNE
42°52'34"S • 147°19'5"E
Bespoke Hair, Hobart
40 min walk • Museum
1.4 miSE
Universities and schools
University of Tasmania, Hobart
37 min walk • The University of Tasmania is a public research university, primarily located in Tasmania, Australia. Founded in 1890, it is Australia's fourth oldest university.
0.5 miE
Sport venue, Sport, Arenas and stadiums
South Hobart Ground, Hobart
14 min walk • Darcy Street, officially the South Hobart Oval, is a multi-use stadium in Hobart, Australia. It is mainly used for soccer and is the home ground for South Hobart FC. The stadium has a capacity of 1,500 people.