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Cascades Female Factory Historic Site

Confronting stories of convict women

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schedule 1 min read / Updated Jun 2026

The Cascades Female Factory Historic Site is a World Heritage-listed place at the foot of kunanyi in South Hobart, and one of the most significant sites of convict women's history in Australia. Between 1828 and 1856 the factory housed thousands of women transported from Britain and Ireland, and the site today offers guided tours that bring their individual stories compellingly to life.

The factory served as a place of confinement, labour, and punishment for women convicts who had transgressed the rules of assignment or arrived without a colonial employer. At its peak it housed over a thousand women and children in conditions that were often brutal. The physical remains include the original yard walls and some historic structures, set within a wider interpretive precinct with gallery spaces and an audio experience.

Guided tours depart daily and include the 45-minute Convict Women's Tour as well as a more theatrical storytelling tour, which presents the stories of remarkable women through character-led performance. A Saturday immersive experience examines cases of executed women and invites visitors to consider their own verdict.

Entry fees vary by tour, with concession and child rates applying. Children aged six and under enter free. The site is accessible and provides facilities including a shop and interpretive centre. Bookings are recommended, particularly for the theatrical sessions.

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Lookouts near Cascades Female Factory Historic Site.

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