The Ultimate Convict Experience

Step back in time and experience the ultimate all-in-one convict history experience at the historic Hobart Penitentiary. The “Unshackled” pass grants you full access to one of Australia’s richest and most evocative heritage sites, built by convict labour for convicts. 🏛️

What You’ll Experience

• Guided Historic Site Tour: Journey through the dark depths of underground tunnels, stand inside solitary confinement cells, walk the prison exercise yard, and stand before the historic gallows. 🗝️
• The Convict Memorial: Trace the personal stories and fates of the 75,000 convicts transported to Tasmania between 1803 and 1853 using our state-of-the-art digital history experience.
• Pandemonium Film Experience: Sit in the original prison chapel where convicts once received mandatory religious instruction, and watch Tasmania’s convict years come to life on a dynamic widescreen film. 🎬
• The Rogues’ Gallery: Come face-to-face with the past through a series of moving portraits showcasing the island’s most colourful convict characters.

A Legacy Carved in Stone

Originally established in 1821 as the Hobart Prison Barracks, this site served as the primary processing hub for over 62,000 male convicts arriving in Van Diemen’s Land. Over the decades, the site evolved, adding a chapel in 1834, which was later converted into courtrooms. Between 1857 and 1946, the relocated Hobart Town gallows saw the execution of thirty-two people. Today, it stands as a powerful testament to Australia’s colonial past.

Tour Times

Wednesday to Sunday

• Morning: 10:00am and 11:30am
• Afternoon: 1:00pm and 2:30pm

Additional summer hours are available. Please check the booking calendar for current availability.

Important Information

• Accessibility: Due to the historic nature of the building, disabled access is very limited. The site features steep, narrow stairs leading to underground tunnels, uneven sandstone floors, and numerous steps throughout.
• Payment Method: Please note that the Hobart Convict Penitentiary is currently card-only. Cash payments cannot be accepted.
• Film Classification: The Pandemonium film is exempt from classification but contains graphic historical content. Parents and guardians are advised to consider suitability for children.