Guided Tour
The most immersive way to experience 200 years of convict and colonial history at Woolmers Estate.
The Woolmers Experience - Guided Buggy Tour
The most immersive way to explore one of Tasmania's most significant heritage sites, and one of only 11 Australian Convict Sites inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. This 90-minute guided tour takes you across the full estate by buggy, exploring each of the three precincts and the people who shaped this remarkable property across 200 years of Tasmanian history.
Woolmers House is currently closed to visitors as we carry out annual conservation care, protecting this original 1820s and 1840s building for the next 200 years. But we're excited to give our guests a different way in, a virtual tour of Woolmers House. The virtual tour takes you into rooms and spaces not usually part of the visitor experience, even with a guided tour.
The Convict Story
Discover how the Assignment System operated at Woolmers, where convicts gained skills, earned freedom and often chose to stay.
The Archer Family
Learn about the impact Thomas Archer and the following generations had on Tasmania.
Intimate & Tailored
Your guide follows your interests, answers your questions and shares the details that bring each room and building to life.
What Makes It Different
Led by our experienced and passionate volunteer guides, you will be driven by buggy across the estate, stopping at key buildings and locations that tell the complete story of Woolmers. Your guide will take you through each of the three precincts – domestic, service and farm, exploring the lives of six generations of the Archer family, from Thomas Archer’s arrival in colonial Van Diemen’s Land in 1817 to the last family member leaving in 1994.
You will discover how the convict Assignment System operated at Woolmers, where over 700 convicts were assigned across 35 years. This is the untold story of Australia’s convict history. Not punishment and chains, but a system where convicts gained skills, earned freedom and often chose to stay. Your guide brings these individual stories to life in the very buildings where they unfolded.
With a maximum of seven guests per session, the experience is intimate and tailored. Your guide can follow your interests, answer your questions and share the details that bring each room and building to life. This is what visitors consistently describe as the highlight of their visit to Woolmers Estate.
Woolmers House: Closed for Annual Conservation Care (July–August)
Every year, Woolmers House closes its doors for a short period so our conservation team can carry out essential care of this 200-year-old collection, protecting original furniture, books, textiles and objects for future generations.
It’s all part of looking after a heritage site this rare. But your visit doesn’t miss out:
- The Buggy Tour runs as usual, with our conservationist on hand to talk through the process during your visit
- A visual display of the House interior is on show in the Stores building, with regular commentary from our guides
- Our new virtual tour gives you access to rooms and spaces never before shown to visitors, not even on our guided Buggy Tour
- The grounds, Rose Garden, 18 original heritage buildings and Unshackled exhibition are open daily, self-paced, included in general admission
- Save With Both
Accessible to All Visitors
The buggy tour means the full 13-hectare estate is accessible to everyone, regardless of mobility. There is no need to worry about walking distances between heritage buildings and precincts. Simply sit back and be driven through one of Northern Tasmania’s most important heritage sites.
Tour Details
Sessions Daily
10:30am & 1:00pm
Approx. 90 minutes
Small Groups
Maximum 7 guests per session
Numbers are strictly limited
Full Estate by Buggy
Accessible to all visitors
All three precincts