Cascades Female Factory

The Cascades Female Factory is a significant historic site that offers a glimpse into the often-overlooked stories of the female convicts who played a key role in the early development of Australia. This former prison complex is now a World Heritage site, part of the Australian Convict Sites network, and provides visitors with a unique opportunity to explore the harsh conditions that these women faced during the colonial period.

The Cascades Female Factory was established in 1828, during a time when the British government was transporting large numbers of convicts to its Australian colonies. It was built specifically for female convicts, many of whom had been sentenced for crimes related to poverty, such as theft. Located near the base of Mount Wellington, the site was chosen for its isolation, which ensured the women could be kept away from the general population.

The factory served multiple purposes. It was a prison and a workhouse where women were employed in labour such as washing, sewing and making clothes. Many women were also sent here to serve out their sentences while pregnant, giving birth and raising their children within the confines of the institution. Around 7,000 women passed through the gates of the Cascades Female Factory, which operated between 1828 and 1856.

The conditions at the factory were grim, with overcrowded dormitories, poor hygiene and minimal access to fresh food and water. Women who disobeyed rules or were deemed to be insubordinate were sent to solitary confinement or received harsher treatment. Infant mortality was high, and many children did not survive the squalid conditions.

Despite the hardships, the women held at the factory contributed significantly to the early colonial economy. Their labour was essential in clothing and feeding the growing population of Hobart. The site is now seen as a symbol of both the struggles and resilience of convict women, offering an important perspective on the broader convict experience in Tasmania.

What to see at the Cascades Female Factory

Visitors to the Cascades Female Factory will find an informative and moving experience that brings to life the stories of the women who were imprisoned here. The site consists of several yards, each with its own history and significance. Much of the factory’s original buildings no longer remain, but the ruins and reconstructed areas give a clear sense of the layout and scale of the institution.

The Factory’s five original yards can be explored, each revealing different aspects of convict life. Yard One features interpretive displays and is where many of the women worked and slept. Yard Four, which was known as the nursery yard, housed mothers and their babies. This yard provides a sobering reminder of the struggles faced by women who gave birth while serving their sentences.

Interpretive panels and audio guides further enhance the experience, offering insights into the harsh realities of convict life and the broader historical context of the penal system in Tasmania. Visitors can also explore the memorial garden, which honours the thousands of women and children who passed through the Cascades Female Factory, many of whom died during their time there.

Experiences and guided tours

There are also guided tours and experiences that provide a deeper historical context and give you an understanding of the stories of individual women.

Experiences and tours at the Cascades Female Factory include:

Convict Women’s Tour
The Convict Women’s Tour is a 40-minute guided experience exploring the history of the Cascades Female Factory, where around 7,000 convict women were held between 1828 and 1856. Offered several times daily, the tour provides an introduction to the site, insight into the convict system of punishment and reform, and a glimpse into the daily lives of the women imprisoned in Van Diemen’s Land. Included with cost of site entry.

Notorious Strumpets & Dangerous Girls
Notorious Strumpets & Dangerous Girls is a 60-minute storytelling experience exploring the lives of seven convict women. Often labelled by society as ‘notorious strumpets’, these women faced significant challenges. Through their stories, visitors will learn about the treatment of female convicts, their struggles with prejudice and inequality, and how some managed to defy expectations and succeed against the odds. $40 including entry to site.

Visiting the Cascades Female Factory

The Cascades Female Factory is near the foot of Mount Wellington, around a 10-minute drive or a 45-minute walk from Hobart city centre. It is close to the Cascade Brewery, which is less than a 10-minute walk from here.

The site is open daily year round with the Convict Women’s Tour operating each day; however, the Notorious Strumpets & Dangerous Girls only operates on Tuesdays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Admission costs $35, which is the same price as the Convict Women’s Tour which also includes entry to the site so it is well worth taking the tour. The Notorious Strumpets & Dangerous Girls experience costs $40 and also includes entry to the site.

For visitors with limited mobility, some areas of the Cascades Female Factory may be challenging to navigate due to uneven surfaces and the historic nature of the site.

Visitor facilities include a gift shop, although there is no on-site cafe.

Allow around an hour for your visit.

16 Degraves Street, South Hobart
TAS 7004
Website femalefactory.org.au
Admission $35, concessions $25, children (7–17) $20
Convict Women’s Tour and site admission $35, concessions $25, children (7–17) $20
Notorious Strumpets & Dangerous Girls experience and site admission $40, concessions $27, children (7–17) $22 including admission to site
Convict Women’s Tour, Notorious Strumpets & Dangerous Girls experience and site admission $50, concessions $37, children (7–17) $32 including admission to site
Open 10am–4.30pm daily
Convict Women’s Tour 10am, 11am, noon, 2pm, 3pm daily
Notorious Strumpets & Dangerous Girls experience Tue, Sat, Sun 1pm