There are many historic buildings in Tasmania dating back to the early days of European settlement, which offer insights into Australia’s early architectural history and colonial past.
From World Heritage-listed convict sites to restored homes and historic lighthouses, there’s so much for history buffs to explore.
Port Arthur Historic Site
The UNESCO World Heritage-listed Port Arthur Historic Site is a perfect day trip from Hobart, at an easy and scenic 1.5-hour drive.
The site began its life as a small timber station in 1830, before developing into a penal station where convicts participated in ship-building, shoemaking, smithing and brick making during their imprisonment. Later, in 1842, a huge flour mill and granary (later the Penitentiary), as well as a hospital, were introduced. After serving as a long-running prison, the land was then separated and put to auction for people to build residences.
Today, it stands as a historic site and educational facility, where visitors can learn all about the stories of the convicts who lived here. Your ticket gives you two consecutive days’ entry to the site, with access to more than 30 historic buildings, ruins, restored houses, heritage gardens and walking trails, as well as entry to the Port Arthur Gallery, a self-guided audio tour, a 20-minute harbour cruise around the Isle of the Dead and complimentary site talks throughout the day.
Make sure to stop by the Separate Prison, where punishments were doled out to convicts, as well as the unconsecrated Convict Church, where guards tried to reform inmates through worship.
If you work up an appetite, there are several cafes around the site, including the 1830 Restaurant & Bar with panoramic views of the grounds and gardens. The menu changes seasonally, and is perfectly paired with Tassie wines, beers, whiskies and spirits for an elevated dining experience.
Richmond Gaol
The quaint village of Richmond, just a 20-minute drive from Hobart, is home to two famous convict-built structures: the Richmond Bridge and the Richmond Gaol.
The Richmond Bridge is the oldest stone span bridge in Australia, built between 1823-25, while Richmond Gaol is Australia’s oldest intact colonial gaol, predating the penal colony at Port Arthur.
Take a self-guided tour of the wonderfully intact stone buildings and immerse yourself in the fascinating stories of the hundreds of prisoners once housed within these walls. You can even visit the prisoners’ cells, as well as the original cook house, holding rooms and flogging yards. Kids are welcome to pick up a ‘Things to Find Challenge’ sheet and search for hidden objects throughout the gaol – a great way to keep them entertained while you delve into the past.
On your visit, you can also speak to friendly staff to learn more about the inmates, including Issac Solomon, an English criminal who was notorious for collecting stolen property and is widely believed to have informed the character of Fagin in Charles Dickins’ famous novel, Oliver Twist.
Woolmers Estate and Brickendon
In the northern midlands, the neighbouring pioneer farming estates of Woolmers and Brickendon are both World Heritage-listed convict sites, and regarded as two of the most significant rural estates in Australia.
Both male and female convicts constructed buildings and worked the land on these large farming properties until the 1850s. Woolmers Estate spans 82 hectares and has preserved many buildings in their original 19th-century condition, including the main homestead, workers’ cottage, chapel, blacksmith shop, stables, and one of the oldest intact woolsheds in Australia. Today, the estate welcomes guests to its galleries, museum of colonial life, and restaurant. You can even join a daily guided house tour to learn more about the architecture and history hidden in its walls.
The Brickendon Estate has been operated by seven consecutive generations of the same family for almost two centuries. Explore more than 20 heritage buildings, including the granary, smokehouse, convict quarters, chapel and stables, wander through the manicured gardens, and stay for daily farm animal feedings. You can even stay the night in an original convict-built cottage and step back in time as you walk through the doors.
Home Hill
Home Hill is a National Trust property near Devonport, and was once the residence of Australia’s tenth Prime Minister, Joseph Lyons, Dame Enid Lyons and their 12 children.
Constructed in 1916, Home Hill houses a rich selection of political memorabilia, vintage furniture and decor, offering a keen insight into the political landscape of the time. You can also explore Dame Enid’s gardens, with roses and ‘rooms’ made by hedges. Make sure to book in for a guided tour!
Highfield Historic Site
In Tasmania’s rugged and scenic north-west, you can visit the Highfield Historic Site, first erected in the 1830s by Edward Curr, the chief agent of the Van Diemen’s Land Company. The company came to Tasmania in 1826 and was granted royal permission to explore the territory. Despite building this grand home from the ground up, Edward Curr was dismissed from his role in the Van Diemen’s Land Company due to its underwhelming performance, and the homestead was leased out to various owners.
The gentleman’s home and farm now offers stunning views of The Nut (the remains of an ancient volcanic plug), the seaside town of Stanley, and Bass Strait. Around the Regency-style home are convict barracks, a chapel, barn, stables and ornamental gardens, which can all be explored when visiting.
Clarendon House
Clarendon Estate is a rural colonial estate found on the banks of the River Esk amongst expansive parklands. The home was built in 1838 by convicts for wealthy wool grower and merchant James Cox – who, interestingly, later played a key role in the abolition of convict labour in Australia.
Clarendon House is a grand, Georgian country mansion, boasting a heritage walled garden, servants’ quarters, and a magnificent Italianate façade. Exploring the property will lead you to discover an avenue of elms, rustic farm outbuildings, the Australian Fly Fishing Museum, the Costume Museum, and the Norfolk Plains Heritage Centre photo and family history collection.
The Australian Fly Fishing Museum celebrates the history of this recreational sport through equipment displays, art and artefacts. It is also a place for fly fishers to learn techniques, etiquette and history. Amazingly, the first trout were brought to Tasmania by James Youl in 1864. Youl was married to Eliza Cox, who was the niece of James Cox.
Visitors to Clarendon Estate are also able to access AR content when using their smartphones, to learn more about objects of interest.
Theatre Royal
Hobart’s Theatre Royal is the oldest working theatre in Australia, first opened in 1837. The 700-seat theatre is a national treasure, and an important part of theatre history in Australia. It was built with convict-carved stone, was located amid the brothels, public houses and humble workers’ cottages of Old Hobart Town when it first opened to provide entertainment for the growing colony.
It now forms part of The Hedberg, a world-class performing arts precinct, with the original building incorporated into a multi-purpose space where an annual season of contemporary performances and events is held.
Visitors can take a guided tour to learn about the theatre’s long history and the famous artists who have performed there. You may even step out onto the stage yourself, and gain a new perspective on the daunting art of theatre.
Cape Bruny Lighthouse
On Bruny Island, a 1.5 hour trip from Hobart, you’ll find the longest continually staffed lighthouse in Australia. First lit in 1838 and standing at 114 metres tall, Cape Bruny Lighthouse towers over the spectacular dolerite cliffs of Cape Bruny.
The lighthouse was built out of locally quarried dolerite by a team of 12 convicts, and is the only lighthouse in southern Tasmania open for tours. Led by an expert guide, you will hear about the history of the lighthouse, local shipwreck tragedies and the lives and duties of the lighthouse keepers. For an utterly amazing view over the ocean, make sure to climb the spiral staircase to the balcony.
By the car park, you will find Cape Bruny Lightstation Museum, where a small collection of maritime artefacts shed more light on the history of this iconic structure. Commissioned by Governor George Arthur after several tragic shipwrecks, it was only the fourth lighthouse in Australia when first lit. Keeping the light on was challenging, as it needed rewinding every eight hours. The 15 lamps that made up the original light each burned 600mls of sperm whale oil every hour, and required constant refilling. It must have been relieving in 1959 when the light was finally electrified.
Enjoyed reading about historic buildings in Tasmania? For more to explore, check out our tips on the best things to see, do and eat!
Travel to Tasmania
Rex flies to Hobart, Devonport, Burnie and King Island. Book your flights here and check out the route map below.
