Hobart Convict Penitentiary
Step back in time at Hobart's 1830 Convict Penitentiary, a chilling site of jail, court, and execution.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Spooky atmosphere amplified
Hobart Convict Penitentiary
Best Time
Spooky atmosphere amplified
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Step back in time at Hobart's 1830 Convict Penitentiary, a chilling site of jail, court, and execution.
"One of the best tours we've ever had! Rodger's passion brought history to life."
👻 Ghost Tour Thrills
Book the night ghost tour for a spine-chilling experience with engaging guides!
📚 Dive into History
Take the guided tour; guides like Rodger bring convict stories to life vividly.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Solitary Cells
Under the floor
Descend into the cramped, dark solitary confinement cells where convicts endured harsh punishments.
Execution Yard & Gallows
Original execution site
Stand where justice was brutally served, imagining the final moments of those condemned.
Chapel & Courtroom
Main building
Explore the imposing chapel and courtroom, sites of both spiritual solace and legal judgment.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Book Your Tour in Advance
Embrace the Atmosphere
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
👻 Ghost Tour Thrills
Book the night ghost tour for a spine-chilling experience with engaging guides! 
📚 Dive into History
Take the guided tour; guides like Rodger bring convict stories to life vividly.
🔍 Uncover Convict Stories
Use the name search to learn individual convict histories.
🚶♀️ Explore on Foot
Wear comfortable shoes; you'll be walking and exploring various parts of the site.
Tips
from all over the internet
👻 Ghost Tour Thrills
Book the night ghost tour for a spine-chilling experience with engaging guides!
📚 Dive into History
Take the guided tour; guides like Rodger bring convict stories to life vividly.
🔍 Uncover Convict Stories
Use the name search to learn individual convict histories.
🚶♀️ Explore on Foot
Wear comfortable shoes; you'll be walking and exploring various parts of the site.
📸 Capture the Mood
Great for atmospheric photos, especially during tours.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors consistently praise the Hobart Convict Penitentiary for its immersive historical tours and chilling ghost experiences. Guides are frequently highlighted for their passion and ability to bring convict stories to life, making the history feel tangible. While the site's past is somber, the tours are considered highly engaging and worthwhile.
"What an amazing experience, I’m so glad I found it when I was looking for what else I can do to Hobart. A place with the oldest history, you will learn so much about the first convicts, their hard life, you will watch a 20’ movie with a tour guide who will give you all the important details and more! The staff are all volunteers and they do an excellent job, maintaining this place that needs to keep standing! Trust me the ticket worth your time and your visit! Next time I’ll give it a go for the night tour as it looks promising!"
Ilias Vogiatzis
"Visited the Hobart Convict Penitentiary today and had an absolutely fantastic guided tour with Rodger. His passion and knowledge brought the history to life with vivid details and personal touches that made the experience unforgettable. One of the best tours we’ve ever had! The stories of the convicts were gripping, especially when we went under the floor into the solitary cells. Highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting Hobart. A nighttime ghost tour here would be incredible!"
Mark H
"Had the best time at the ghost tour! Sarah and her partner were absolutely amazing. Very informative and made the entire experience so enjoyable. Would definitely recommend"
Sarah Romanoff
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
The penitentiary is centrally located in Hobart, Tasmania. It's easily accessible by walking from the city center, or a short taxi or rideshare trip. Public transport options are also available, with bus stops nearby.
Street parking can be limited in the city center. It's advisable to check for nearby public car parks or consider using public transport or rideshare services to avoid parking hassles.
Yes, the Hobart Convict Penitentiary is within walking distance of many central Hobart hotels and attractions, making it a convenient stop on your itinerary.
If you're staying outside the immediate city center, consider taking a local bus service that stops in the CBD, or use a rideshare app for a direct and convenient journey.
The surrounding streets are generally well-maintained, but as with any historic city center, be mindful of uneven pavements. Public transport options are usually accessible.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Ticket prices vary depending on the tour type. Standard guided tours offer great value, and there are also popular night ghost tours. Check their official website for current pricing and booking options. +1
It is highly recommended to book your tickets in advance, especially for the evening ghost tours, as they are very popular and can sell out.
Opening hours can vary, and tours are scheduled throughout the day. It's best to check the official website for the most up-to-date tour times and operating hours.
Yes, there are typically daytime historical tours that delve into the convict era, and evening ghost tours that focus on the site's paranormal history. +1
While some areas might be accessible, the most enriching experience comes from the guided tours, which provide historical context and fascinating stories. +1
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
It's renowned for its significant role in Tasmania's convict history, its chilling ghost stories, and its well-preserved 19th-century architecture.
Expect to learn about the harsh lives of male convicts, explore cells, the courtroom, and the execution yard, often with passionate guides sharing detailed stories. +1
The ghost tours are designed to be atmospheric and engaging, with tales of paranormal activity. Many visitors find them thrilling and enjoyable, though 'scary' is subjective. +1
Photography is generally permitted for personal use, but always check for any specific restrictions within certain areas or during particular tours.
Standard historical tours usually last around 1 to 1.5 hours, while ghost tours might be slightly longer. Check your booking details for exact timings.
📸 📸 Photography
The chapel, courtroom, and the exterior architecture offer great photographic opportunities. The dimly lit cells also provide a unique, atmospheric shot.
Photography is usually allowed during ghost tours, but it's best to be discreet and not disrupt the experience for others. Flash photography might be restricted in certain areas.
Many visitors capture atmospheric shots, historical details, and eerie scenes, especially during the night tours.
Drone photography is generally not permitted within historic sites like this due to safety and preservation concerns. Always check local regulations.
Use a wider aperture, increase ISO cautiously, and consider a tripod if allowed for sharper images in the dimly lit interiors.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
Consider booking a daytime historical tour rather than a night ghost tour for younger children. The interactive elements, like exploring the cells and learning about the daily routines of convicts, can be fascinating for kids. It's a chance to discuss themes of justice, hardship, and resilience in an age-appropriate manner. Ensure children are comfortable with historical narratives that may touch on difficult subjects.
👻 Ghost Tour Enthusiasts
+3Many visitors rave about the engaging storytelling and the palpable sense of history that permeates the site during these tours. Be prepared for a journey into the darker side of Hobart's past, where the veil between the living and the dead is said to be thin. Booking in advance is crucial as these tours are extremely popular.
🏛️ History Buffs
Utilize the name search facility to research specific convicts and their stories, adding a personal dimension to your historical exploration. The preserved architecture, including the chapel, courtroom, and solitary cells, provides tangible links to this significant period in Australian history.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The Convict Experience
One of the most impactful parts of the visit is exploring the solitary confinement cells, located beneath the main floor. These dark, confined spaces were used for severe punishment, and standing within them offers a visceral understanding of the psychological toll on the inmates. The name search facility allows visitors to delve deeper, uncovering specific details about why certain individuals were sent to the penitentiary and their eventual fates, making the history feel incredibly personal.
Beyond the cells, the chapel and courtroom offer a different perspective on the penitentiary's function. The chapel provided a space for religious observance, while the courtroom was where sentences were handed down. These areas underscore the dual nature of the institution – a place of punishment, but also one where attempts were made to impose order and morality, however flawed.
+1Paranormal Encounters and Ghost Tours
+3Visitors often report feeling a distinct atmosphere, with some claiming to have experienced unexplained phenomena, from cold spots to disembodied voices. The chapel, in particular, is frequently mentioned as a hotspot for paranormal activity. These tours are not just about scares; they weave historical facts with local legends, creating an immersive and often unsettling experience that stays with visitors long after they leave.
While the historical tours focus on factual accounts of convict life, the ghost tours lean into the site's reputation for the supernatural. Whether you're a skeptic or a believer, the combination of the penitentiary's dark history and the evocative storytelling makes for a memorable and spine-tingling evening.
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