History

The Australian Convict Sites World Heritage Property 

Consisting of eleven sites spread throughout Australia in Tasmania, New South Wales, Western Australia and on Norfolk Island, the Australian Convict Sites World Heritage Property tells the epic story of Australia’s convict heritage.

Each site in the Property represents a different aspect of the convict system and are the most significant examples in Australia’s history of forced migration. Almost half of the Sites in the inscription are in  Tasmania.

For technical reasons, Woolmers and Brickendon Estates are included as a single site but in reality they are two separate properties, which although adjacent, each offer their own unique visitor experience.

The Sites

• Port Arthur Historic Site, Tasman Peninsula TAS

  Port Arthur was established in the 1830s as a penal settlement. It remains a physical chronicle of a dramatic part of Australia's history. Its 60 or so buildings and picturesque landscape offer visitors a challenging mix of both beauty and horror and have helped the site to become Tasmania's most popular tourist destination.

  
• Coal Mines Historic Site, Tasman Peninsula, TAS

  The Coal Mines Historic Site is outstanding for its insight into Australia's convict history and the use of convicts as a cheap source of labour for the exploitation of local resources. Today the mine shafts are evident as circular depressions in the landscape, and 18 damp dark alternating solitary cells convey the grim harshness of Australia's convict history.

  
• Cascades Female Factory, South Hobart TAS [external link]

  The Cascades Female Factory was a self-contained, purpose-built institution intended to reform female convicts, where the inmates did laundry and needlework services, offsetting some of the colony's penal costs.

  
• Darlington Probation Station, Maria Island TAS [external link]

  Darlington Precinct, located on Maria Island off the east coast of Tasmania, offers a glimpse into our convict past and the probation system that was unique to Tasmania.

  
• Brickendon Estate, Longford, TAS [external link]
  
• Woolmers Estate, Longford TAS [external link]

  Brickendon and Woolmers Estates were private farms that utilised assigned convicts, both male and female, who worked largely in agricultural jobs and contributed to the development of Tasmania's pastoral industry.

  
• Kingston and Arthurs Vale Historic Area, Norfolk Island [external link]

  The Kingston and Arthurs Vale Historic Area (KAVHA), on Norfolk Island, is of outstanding significance to the nation as a convict settlement spanning the era of transportation to eastern Australia between 1788-1855.

  
• Hyde Park Barracks, Sydney NSW [external link]

  Hyde Park Barracks is Australia's first government-built convict barracks, and the only remaining barracks building and complex from the Macquarie era of convict administration.

  
• Old Government House, Parramatta NSW [external link]

  Old Government House is Australia's oldest intact former vice-regal residence and was the residence and offices of 12 prominent governors of New South Wales, from 1788-1856.

  
• Cockatoo Island, Sydney Harbour NSW [external link]

  Cockatoo Island is significant as a site that includes the only remaining dry dock in Australia built using convict labour, as well as buildings and fabric related to the administration, incarceration and working conditions of convicts.

  
• Old Great North Road, near Wisemans Ferry NSW [external link]

  The Old Great North Road is a nationally significant example of major public infrastructure developed using convict labour.

  
• Fremantle Prison, Fremantle, WA [external link]

  A striking landmark on a small hill, Fremantle Prison is a physical reminder of the contribution made by Australia's convicts to building this nation.

  

Resources

• Tasmania's Convict World Heritage Sites guidebook [PDF 1MB]

  This handy booklet will help you plan and enjoy a road trip to visit the five Tasmanian World Heritage Convict Sites.

  
• PAHS World Heritage Fact Sheet [PDF 489KB]

  information on what World Heritage status means and will bring to the Port Arthur and Coal Mines Historic Sites.

  
• Nomination documents [external link]

  Download all or parts of the World Heritage Nomination for the Australian Convict Sites

  

More information

• Heritage Tasmania [external link]

  The Heritage Tasmania website has a useful overview of the listing, with a focus on the Tasmanian sites and their significance.

  
• Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities [external link]

  This Federal Government agency oversaw the nomination process. Its website has many resources and further details of each of the Australian Convict Sites.

  
• World Heritage Committee of UNESCO [external link]

  The Committee met in Brasilia in August 2010, and inscribed the Australian Convict Sites onto the World Heritage Register. The brief description on its website discusses the outstanding universal value for which the Site has been inscribed.