Beneath the shadow of Mount Wellington, the UNESCO World Heritage- listed Cascades Female Factory is the best place to connect with some of the lesser-known stories of Australia’s female convicts. Located a short distance from Hobart’s city centre, it was a self-contained, purpose-built institution intended to reform female convicts.

Thousands of women and children were imprisoned at the site and many never left. Visiting the site can be both emotional and rewarding, creating a connection with the stories of female convicts in Australia and their children – stories that are often tragic, but that also inspire hope and resilience.

Joining a guided tour is highly recommended as it will help bring the story of this challenging but very special place to life for you. The Heritage Tour, offered several times each day, reveals stories of the women and the punishment system to which they were subjected, exploring the question, “Were they more sinned against than sinning?”

Even more emotional is the dramatised walking tour “Her Story”. Part history
lesson, part roaming theatre show, it is a powerful depiction of the harsh life of
the women of the Female Factory in 1833.

The Cascades Female Factory is managed by the Port Arthur Historic Site  Management Authority and is one of 11 sites that form the Australian Convict Sites World Heritage property. It is open from 9.30am-4pm daily.

WEB: Cascade Female Factory, Facebook or Instagram
ADDRESS: ​16 Degraves Street, South Hobart