The Cascades Female Factory Audio Experience

Written and presented by Zoe Rimmer, who shares the important story of Trukanini and why she is honoured here.  

If at Cascades Female Factory, we recommend you listen to this chapter at Trukanini’s tree (stop 10). 

The Christian religion played a big role in the daily lives of convict women. However, Senior Chaplain, Reverend William Bedford, wasn't the most popular person at the Factory ...  

If at Cascades Female Factory, we recommend you listen to this chapter from the location of the chapel (stop 9). 

Some women brought their children with them on the journey from Britain; some became pregnant whilst serving their sentence. This is was the original Nursery Yard for mothers and children.  

Content warning: This chapter discusses infant mortality. 

If at Cascades Female Factory, we recommend you listen to this chapter from the location of the first Nursery (stop 8). 

Third Class was also known as Crime Class – this was the Yard for the worst behaved convicts, where punishments and conditions were harsh. 

If at Cascades Female Factory, we recommend you listen to this chapter in the Third Class Yard (stop 7). 

A husband and wife team, the Superintendent and Matron were in charge of the day-to-day running of the Factory and lived on-site with their large family. 

Content warning: This chapter discusses infant mortality. 

If at Cascades Female Factory, we recommend you listen to this chapter upstairs in the Superintendent’s Apartment (stop 6). 

Convict women were set to work in homes and farms as part of the Assignment System. 

If at Cascades Female Factory, we recommend you listen to this chapter by the First Class Yard (stop 5).  

After months at sea, women convicts entered through these gates to begin their sentence at the Female Factory. 

If at Cascades Female Factory, we recommend you listen to this chapter at the original entrance to the Factory (stop 4). 

Discover the labyrinth of buildings, walls and structures that once filled Yard One - the first yard of the Cascades Female Factory. 

If at Cascades Female Factory, we recommend you listen to this chapter in Yard One (stop 3). 

A brief introduction to the Cascades Female Factory Historic Site Audio Tour.

If at Cascades Female Factory, we recommend you listen to this chapter outside the Visitor Centre, on your way to Yard One (stop 2). 

Written and recorded by the Tasmanian Aboriginal Community. 

Cascades Female Factory is located on the traditional homelands of the muwinina people. 

We acknowledge the muwinina people, the traditional owners of the Land upon which we work, and we pay our respect to Aboriginal Elders; past and present. We respect all Tasmanian Aboriginal people, their culture and their rights as the first peoples of lutruwita. We recognise and value Aboriginal histories, knowledge and lived experiences and commit to being culturally inclusive and respectful in our working relationships with all Aboriginal people.

If at Cascades Female Factory, we recommend listening to this chapter in the Visitor Centre (stop 1).