Cascade Female Factory

The Cascades Female Factory in South Hobart is one of 11 World- Heritage-listed convict sites in Australia, five of them are in Tasmania. It is a place of global significance; in fact, the most significant site associated with female convicts sent to Australia. It tells the story of the displacement, mistreatment and forced migration of convict women and girls, and their contribution throughout the history of colonial Australia to present day. Operating as a prison for 28 years from the colony’s earliest days, it housed approximately 7000 women convicts and 2000 babies during that time. Opening in 1828, it would hold up to 1000 people at a time, although it was designed for just 100.

A new interpretive centre introduces visitors to the lives of the female convicts and their children through audio tours, history tours, theatrical performances and artefacts. Voices and stories evoke Hobart’s often harsh history- one wall records the first names of all the women incarcerated there, another charts the births and deaths of the babies. The sunless yards that were once full of claustrophobic cells, a nursery, a hospital and laundries are empty now, but visitors can see their outline and regular guided tours paint a vivid picture of daily life in the factory. General Entry is included in all ticket prices with various tour options also available.

Located only a 10-minute drive from Hobart’s CBD and a 3-minute walk from the Red Decker Bus stop on Cascade Road, the site is open to the public 7 days a week from 10:00am – 4.30pm.