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Hartley Courthouse

Hartley Historic Site

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Overview

This fine example of colonial architecture allows you to imagine the convicts, magistrates and members of the public passing through its doors. Book a guided tour through Hartley Historic Site Visitor Centre.

Type
Historic buildings/places
Where
44 Old Great Western Highway, Hartley, NSW, 2790 - in Hartley Historic Site in Sydney and surrounds
Accessibility
Medium
Price

Courthouse and church $8.80 per person. 

Opening times

Take a self-guided tour of Hartley Courthouse Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 1pm and 1.30pm to 4pm.

Bookings
Call or email Hartley Historic Site Visitor Centre to make a booking. Book in advance for large groups, school groups, special needs groups or other pre-arranged visits.
Hire this venue

Hartley Courthouse is available for events and function hire.

Hartley Courthouse was designed by colonial architect Mortimer Lewis in the Grecian Revival style. Still largely intact and constructed solidly of locally quarried sandstone, it is an imposing building, as it was designed to be.

The three doorways provided entrances for prisoners, the public and magistrates and visitors can examine the cellblock that housed prisoners and convicts. Many notorious bushrangers and cattle thieves were kept here and inside the cells, with their bars and bolts still in position, you can imagine the thoughts of men used to roaming the country locked up tight in this remote prison.

As the convict system faded into history, and Hartley was bypassed by the new railway, the need for a courthouse here diminished. Benefits were held in this grand old building during World War II, and nowadays visitors can wander through, reading the interpretive signs and imagining the building’s vivid colonial past.

For directions, safety and practical information, see visitor info

Also see

  • Hartley Visitor Centre, Hartley Historic Site. Photo: John Spencer © OEH

    Hartley Historic Site Visitor Centre

    Stop in at Hartley Historic Site Visitor Centre to find out about the history of the buildings and town, book tours, and stock up on snacks and drinks.

  • St Bernards Church and churchyard, Hartley Historic Site. Photo: John Spencer

    St Bernards Church

    Take a tour or arrange a wedding at St Bernards Church in Hartley, a lovingly preserved example of colonial sandstone architecture.

  • The exterior of Hartley Courthouse framed by trees in Hartley Historic Site. Photo: Jennifer Leahy © DPIE

    Hartley Courthouse

    Providing a rare vivid glimpse into Australia’s colonial past, Hartley Courthouse is the perfect venue for history buffs, or for those just looking for a venue hire option with a uniquely historic flavour.

 

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