WE DRIVE PAST. YOU CAN WALK FROM THE CRUISE TERMINAL AND TAKES 15 MINUTES.

Originally known as the Hobart Prison Barracks, the Hobart Penitentiary was established in 1821 to provide housing for convicts involved in government public works. Between 1803 and 1853, a total of 75,000 convicts were transported to Van Diemen's Land, with 62,500 of them being male convicts. Starting from 1821, all male convicts were processed at the Hobart Penitentiary before being assigned labour duties across the island. 

By 1834, the Penitentiary Chapel had been completed and two of its wings were later converted into courtrooms. For many years after, one wing continued to serve as the prison chapel for the Penitentiary, which was then referred to as the Hobart Gaol. 

The Hobart Town gallows were also relocated to this site, where a total of thirty-two individuals were executed between 1857 and 1946. The Hobart Gaol was eventually demolished in 1963, while the courts remained at the location until 1983.