Our last full day in Hobart, and we decided that we would visit the Cascades Female Factory with a look in at the Hobart Regatta on the way.
The Regatta turned out to be a bit of a non-event. From what we read "The Royal Hobart Regatta is Tasmania's oldest and most prestigious 3-day aquatic event, held annually on the River Derwent in Hobart since 1838. The 188th event is scheduled for February 7–9, 2026, featuring sailing, rowing, swimming, wood chopping, and aerial displays. The event includes a Monday public holiday in Southern Tasmania." we thought it might be worth a visit but guess it's an event for local participation rather than tourists. We had a bit of a wander, had a quick look at the historical display and the market/sideshows and then headed off to the Female Factory.
The Cascades Female Factory was purpose-built in 1828 to house Hobart's female convicts, using a site originally planned as a brewery. The site operated until 1856. It was intended to remove women convicts from the negative influences and temptations of Hobart, and also to protect society from what was seen as their immorality and corrupting influence. The Factory was located, however, in an area of damp swamp land, and with overcrowding, poor sanitation and inadequate food and clothes, there was a high rate of disease and mortality among its inmates.
Now a world heritage listed site, it operates as a museum and tourist attraction managed by the Port Arthur Historic Site Management Authority. It consists of three of the original five yards of the original establishment. Visitors get to know the largely unknown history of the over 6,000 women and girls that were transported to Van Diemen's Land and the some 2,000 babies that were born within the factory walls. We chose to do guided tours, the 'Convict Women's Tour' and the 'Strumpets & Dangerous Girls Tour'. So glad we did. Both our guides did an excellent job of taking us back to what life was like in this establishment in the early days of the Hobart Penal Colony. Just horrific.
Well worth the visit.
