Things to Do in Hobart & Wider Tasmania: 6 Historical Sites & Heritage Places to Visit
Things to Do in Hobart & Wider Tasmania: 6 Historical Sites & Heritage Places to Visit
Posted on
Tasmania is an island state with a rich history dating back to the early days of European settlement when it was used as a penal colony. Many of the historical sites from this period are open to visitors and provide an insight into the lives of the people who lived there.
If you are searching for things to do and tourist attractions to visit in Hobart, Launceston and wider Tasmania, our team at Inspiration Outdoors has compiled six excellent heritage and historical sites to add to your list!
1. Port Arthur Historic Site
The Port Arthur Historic Site is a UNESCO World Heritage-listed location found only 1.5 hours’ drive southeast of the state’s capital, Hobart. With over 30 historic buildings to discover across 40 hectares, Port Arthur is an award-winning tourist attraction offering the most insightful look into the early convict history of Tasmania. If you’re looking for things to do, you can spend hours occupied with the guided tours, a selection of professional dramatisations, scenic harbour cruises, interactive experiences and, most exciting of all, the spine-chilling Ghost Tours that take place come nightfall. Once you’ve had your fill, take a moment to fill up at the 1830 Restaurant & Bar, relaxing as the sandstone glows with the setting sun.
2. Hobart Convict Penitentiary Historic Site
Staying with the themes of crime and punishment, by visiting the Hobart Convict Penitentiary Historic Site, you will be regaled by some of the most unbelievable stories from your tour guides as they walk you through the various tunnels, courts, cells and even gallows. From Thursday to Saturday, you can test your fate on the Ghost Tours, or if you are looking for things to do in Tasmania on the weekend, they also have a genuine convict experience known only as ‘Pandemonium’.
3. Home Hill
Home Hill is a National Trust property that actually stood as the residence of Prime Minister Joseph Lyons, Dame Enid Lyons and their litter of 12 children. Constructed back in 1916, the property continues to house a rich selection of memorabilia, which can be viewed in more detail on a guided tour, where you will also learn some unexpected insights & secrets of the Australian political scene at the time.
Bookings are essential, so if this is one of the things you want to do in Tasmania during your next visit, be sure to get in there early!
4. Highfield Historic Site
In the mood for places to visit that are a little more scenic? Erected by the Van Diemen’s Land Company in the 1830s, the Highfield Historic Site was initially established as a farm for expansive sheep grazing. This site is not only open to the public, but also pays homage to the convicts and indigenous people who were responsible for the construction of this estate. The intervening years have seen the Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service restore the house & outbuildings, bringing the historic site back from disrepair and now offering a beautiful spot to visit by the ocean.
5. Cascades Female Factory
Australia’s most significant location linked with female convicts is the Cascades Female Factory. It either housed women whilst they were waiting to be assigned to work, or those in full-time incarceration as their punishment. Over a thousand people would live or work at the Factory, including guards, nurses and young children. Throughout a guided tour, you can learn of the harrowing events these women endured, as well as understand what a day in their life would have been like. Options include a self-guided entry, participating in a Heritage Tour, or enjoying the dramatised performance tours known as ‘The Proud and the Punished.’
6. Clarendon House
Come and explore an expansive rural colonial estate nestled amongst gorgeous, seven-hectare riverside parklands. Clarendon House is a grand, Georgian country mansion, sporting a heritage walled garden, servants’ quarters, and magnificent Italianate façade. As you make your way across the land, you will also find a rare avenue of Elms, rustic farm outbuildings, the Australian Fly Fishing Museum, Costume Museum, and the Norfolk Plains Heritage Centre photo and family history collection.
Discover More of Tourist Attractions in Tasmania with Our Selection of Walking Tours
Once you have run out of historical sites and heritage places to visit in Launceston, Hobart and wider Tasmania from our list above, be sure also to consider a few walking tours or sightseeing tours to soak in some more tourist attractions. At Inspiration Outdoors, we have a range of tours in Tasmanian for you to get the most out of your trip, including:
- Bay of Fires Walk: This 5-day tour will take you through some of the most stunning scenery in Launceston, Tasmania, including white sand beaches, orange lichen rocks, blue waters, and towering cliffs. The Bay of Fires Walk is also one of the most popular walks in Tasmania due to its rich cultural and historical significance.
- Bruny Island & South Coast: This 6-day walking tour sends you along the picturesque coastline of Bruny Island, Hartz Mountain, and Cockle Creek to South Cape Walk. There’s a good chance you’ll see much wildlife on the way, and be able to enjoy a range of fresh produce from local suppliers.
- Central Highlands – Cradle Mountain, Overland Track and Mt Field National Park: This week-long adventure takes you through some of the most remote and beautiful parts of the Tasmanian Central Highlands. You’ll need to be well-prepared for this one, as it includes several steep climbs and challenging terrain, including the Overland Track, Cradle Mountain, and Mt Field National Park.
- East Coast – Wineglass Bay, Maria Island, Three Capes Track: If you’re considering a walking trail in Tasmania, you cannot look past this one. It takes you along the stunning East Coast of Tasmania. You’ll see plenty of amazing scenery, including Wineglass Bay, Maria Island, and the Three Capes Track, making it a great option for those looking for a challenge.
- https://www.inspirationoutdoors.com.au/tours/highlights-of-tasmania/: This 8 day tour of Tasmania will take you on a journey through Tasmania with the benefits of being in a small group, led by an experienced tour guide. Places you will visit include: Port Arthur, Eagle Hawk Neck, Wineglass Bay, Cradle Mountain and much more.
If you would like more information on our tours or how to book the right one for you, please contact us today, and our team would be more than happy to assist. You can call directly on 1300 544 882 or submit a contact form.
