The Cascades Female Factory is Australia’s most significant historic site associated with female convicts. It is located in the shadow of Mount Wellington, a short distance from Hobart’s city centre. It was as a self-contained, purpose-built institution intended to reform female convicts. Thousands of women and children were imprisoned at the site and many never left.

Visiting this World Heritage site can be both emotional and rewarding, creating a connection with the stories of female convicts in Australia and their children – the stories are often tragic, but also inspire hope and resilience. All site entry tickets include a self-guided audio experience and access to the exhibition and historic site.

Your self-guided audio experience provides an overview of the history of the site. Explore at your own pace walking around the site. Listen to true tales of the courage, resourcefulness and resilience of the women who lived worked and aspired to a better life outside the female factory walls.