Some attractions in Hobart, Australia offer insights into aspects of the country’s past that may not be as well-known but is worth learning about; the Cascades Female Factory Historic Site is one such place.
Planning a Visit
This attraction can be found on Degraves Street near the waterfront in South Hobart; it’s around a 10-minute drive from the CBD and Somerset on the Pier Hobart. Opening hours are from 9:30am to 4:00pm daily and those staying at a Hobart serviced apartment can easily get here by taxi or bus.
Site’s History
The Cascades Female Factory Historic Site was initially a distillery that was changed into an institution where female convicts could be reformed. From 1828 to 1856, over 5,000 such convicts are known to have been incarcerated here; they had to work daily for up to 12 hours and disobedience of the rules were met with punishment.
What to Expect
Amongst the 11 sites which make up the Australian Convict Sites World Heritage property, this attraction lets you explore three of the factory yards used at the time. Learning about the hardships and punishments endured, hearing tales of tragedy and resilience as well as seeing the very places convicts lived and died can be a moving experience.
More Insights
You can opt to take the Heritage Tour which provides an ideal introduction to the Cascades Female Factory and the system of reform and punishment employed. There’s also a one-woman performance that takes place called “The Proud and The Punished” about one of the convicts who stood up against the system.
