Cascades Female Factory Historic Site bears witness to the displacement, oppression and control of women in lutruwita / Tasmania. We honour their pain and loss, their courage and perseverance. 

If at Cascades Female Factory, we recommend you listen to this chapter by the 'From the Shadows' statue in Yard Three (stop 20). 

With convict transportation to Van Diemen’s Land coming to an end, there was no longer any need for this establishment. So what happened next?

If at Cascades Female Factory, we recommend you listen to this chapter as you wander back through to Yard 3 (stop 19).  

Yard Five no longer exists. It was built on the other side of Yard 2. It was the most modern of all the Yards. 

If at Cascades Female Factory, we recommend you listen to this chapter from the gates in Yard 4 (stop 18).

The Matron’s Quarters is the only original building remaining on the historic site. 

If at Cascades Female Factory, we recommend you listen to this chapter by the Matron’s verandah (stop 17). 

Convict women who gave birth here, in the Yard Four factory nursery, were subjected to new, harsh regulations. 

Content warning: This chapter discusses infant mortality. 

If at Cascades Female Factory, we recommend you listen to this chapter by the wall of Baby Names, a memorial to the infants born at the Factory, in Yard 4 (stop 16). This memorial was researched and developed by tour guide, Shelly Kube. 

In 1850, a new yard dedicated to the Nursery opened. Despite the new facilities, conditions were still inadequate for the health and care of mothers and babies. 

Content warning: This chapter discusses infant mortality. 

If at Cascades Female Factory, we recommend you listen to this chapter while walking through Yard 4 (stop 15). 

Yard Three included rooms for the many free people who worked, and sometimes lived, at the Factory. 

If at Cascades Female Factory, we recommend you listen to this chapter in Yard Three (stop 14). 

The building of Separate Apartments helped enforce a strict regime of silence and separation. 

If at Cascades Female Factory, we recommend you listen to this chapter at the Separate Apartments (stop 13). 

The Probation System replaced the Assignment System in the 1840s. This was a new way to manage, punish and reform convicts.   

If at Cascades Female Factory, we recommend you listen to this chapter as you walk through the exercise yard (stop 12). 

Sadly, no physical evidence of Yard Two remains above ground but it once stood on the other side of Yard One. Find out what was once here…

If at Cascades Female Factory, we recommend you listen to this chapter at the far wall in Yard One (stop 11).