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Historic Ruins & Heritage

Cascade Female Factory Historic Site

📍 16 Degraves Street, South Hobart, Tasmania 7004, Australia
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4.5/ 5.0
★★★★★

Quick Facts

Location
Australia, Hobart
Category
Historic Ruins & Heritage
Duration
Allow about 1.5-2 hours
Address
16 Degraves Street, South Hobart, Tasmania 7004, Australia
Coordinates
-42.8980, 147.3020

Introduction

In the South Hobart suburb south of Hobart's city centre, the Cascades Female Factory was one of four female convict workhouses in Tasmania, running from 1828 to 1856 where women transported to Van Diemen's Land were imprisoned and put to labour. It is one of the 11 sites that make up the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Australian Convict Sites, and its ruins of cells, workshops and yards remain today. The site offers the highly regarded Convict Women's Tour (multiple daily departures, about 45 minutes) plus a self-guided audio experience telling the story of forced labour, motherhood and survival.

✨ Highlights

1
World Heritage convict site
As part of the 11 UNESCO-listed Australian Convict Sites, it is among the most complete and moving testimonies to the story of transported convict women in Australia.
2
Convict Women's Tour
Multiple daily departures from 10am (about 45 minutes), led by expert guides telling the stories of imprisoned women, their abandoned children and their role in building the colony.
3
Cells, yards and workshops
See the closely supervised yards, solitary cells and workrooms that reveal how the 19th-century penal institution disciplined women's bodies.
4
Self-guided audio experience
Free WiFi and an audio experience accessed on your own device (bring earbuds) let you explore at your own pace.

🛈 Practical Info

→Best time to visit：Seasons are opposite to the Northern Hemisphere; check local weather and events. For outdoor sites, mornings or late afternoons are often more pleasant.
→Transport：Australia is vast; most attractions suit self-driving or local day tours. For city sites, check public transport timetables in advance.
→Climate & dress：UV is strong; bring sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat, stay hydrated, and beware of insects. Inland areas may have large diurnal temperature swings.
→On site：Follow on-site signs, do not feed or disturb wildlife, protect nature and heritage, and stay on designated trails in national parks.
→Accessibility：Some natural attractions have uneven paths or steps and may challenge those with limited mobility; check accessibility services in advance.
→Transportation：About 2km from Hobart's CBD; drive (parking on site) or take Hobart public buses to the Sandy Bay area and walk, or walk about 30 minutes from the city centre

💡 Tips

• Tickets, opening hours and tours may change; confirm on official channels on site. Queried opening hours: Open daily 9:30am-4:30pm, closed Christmas Day; please check official on-site notice; admission: Adult approx. A$35, concession approx. A$25, child approx. A$20, family approx. A$90 (includes tour and audio); prices subject to change, please refer to official on-site notice.
• Australia has strong sun; protect yourself with sunscreen, hydration and insect repellent, especially outdoors.
• Respect local culture, wildlife and natural park rules; never feed animals or leave designated trails.
• Plan alongside nearby sights, using self-driving or local day tours to link your route.

FAQ

Any practical tips for visiting Cascade Female Factory Historic Site?

Tickets, opening hours and tours may change; confirm on official channels on site. Queried opening hours: Open daily 9:30am-4:30pm, closed Christmas Day; please check official on-site notice; admission: Adult approx. A$35, concession approx. A$25, child approx. A$20, family approx. A$90 (includes tour and audio); prices subject to change, please refer to official on-site notice. Australia has strong sun; protect yourself with sunscreen, hydration and insect repellent, especially outdoors.

How long should I spend at Cascade Female Factory Historic Site?

A typical visit takes Allow about 1.5-2 hours.

This entry is compiled from public Australian and international travel sources. Tickets, opening hours and transport may change; please confirm with official sources on site.