Hobart Convict Penitentiary named number one Top Attraction in Tripadvisor awards
A celebrated historic site has been recognised as one of the top international tourist attractions by one of the world’s largest travel websites.
The Hobart Convict Penitentiary has been named the top visitor attraction in the entire South Pacific region by one of the largest travel websites in the world.
The historic penitentiary, located on Brisbane St, was built in the early 1830s during the transportation era. Today, it is open to the public, with guided tours of the National Trust Tasmania-managed site proving popular with tourists and locals alike.
The penitentiary has been ranked as the number one Top Attraction in the Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards for 2025 in both Australia and the South Pacific more broadly.
The awards are based on reviews submitted by travellers from across the globe over a 12-month period.
In an extraordinary result for the Hobart Convict Penitentiary, its number one ranking places it in the top 1 per cent of visitor experiences worldwide, according to Tripadvisor.
National Trust Tasmania southern properties manager Jim Ward said it was a “true privilege” to have accepted the award.
“It’s incredibly rewarding to see Tasmania making such a strong impact on the national and international stage. We’re deeply honoured by this recognition, but most of all, we’re proud of the dedicated volunteers who make it all possible,” he said.
“To be named number one in the South Pacific, above some of the most iconic attractions in the world, is something truly special.”
The penitentiary comprises underground tunnels, solitary cells, a prison exercise yard, courtrooms, and a gallows.
A convict memorial at the site showcases a digital history of the 75,000 convicts transported to Van Diemen’s Land between 1803 and 1853.
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