1804: The British Empire established a settlement in Hobart.
1818: Governor Sorell called an area the Government Domain and Garden.
The Government Domain was a very important military site. It housed the Queens Battery, provided good views of any maritime activity and housed precious gunpowder.
At the time the Governor held a very senior military rank. The Governor needed to live and work near the main military spots.
1853-1858: Government House was built on the Government Domain.
The sandstone blocks used for the walls were dug up and cut on site. The quarry then became an ornamental pool and gardens. Cedar and teak was recycled from a ship. The slate roof was imported from Wales and furniture was custom built in London.
The 73 room building is in the early Victorian style or neo-Gothic style or Victorian Gothic style.
An asymmetrical two story building of brown and white sandstone. Multi gabled facades with two story bay windows. 3 towers and numerous chimneys. Interior includes the main ballroom with high vaulted timber ceilings.
Set amongst 37 acres of gardens and sweeping lawns. The garden includes many stone buildings including and an observatory built in 1840 and a lake. The picturesque gardens combine with the building and the setting to create outstanding views.
Considered one of the best vice-regal residences in the world or Australia.
Been home to nearly 30 Tasmanian governors.
2003: Controversy accompanied the appointment of Richard Butler as Governor. He was a former UN weapons inspector and prominent republican. His appointment as the Queen’s representative went from bemusement to unworkable and he eventually resigned.
Today: Government house is home of the Queen’s Representative (the Governor).
There is a public open day once a year and many small official ceremonies for people receiving awards and ceremonies to welcome specific groups to Tasmania. These ceremonies are by invitation only. Most ceremonies are in the gardens or the ball room. I have been to one such ceremony and on the day, like most people, the ceremony was more important than the building. I spent very little time admiring the building, furniture, art works and the grounds.
When wandering on the Domain it is unlikely that will get access to the house or gardens. They are in a very public spot. Very visible and very inaccessible.
Around the world there are palaces and vice-regal homes which are open to the people throughout the year. The government house in Hobart is not like that. Unlike the adjacent Botanical Gardens, you cannot just turn up and wander around the house or gardens. They have elaborate fences and are open to the public on a few special occasions when very large crowds turn up to view the grandeur and opulence.
1818: Governor Sorell called an area the Government Domain and Garden.
The Government Domain was a very important military site. It housed the Queens Battery, provided good views of any maritime activity and housed precious gunpowder.
At the time the Governor held a very senior military rank. The Governor needed to live and work near the main military spots.
1853-1858: Government House was built on the Government Domain.
The sandstone blocks used for the walls were dug up and cut on site. The quarry then became an ornamental pool and gardens. Cedar and teak was recycled from a ship. The slate roof was imported from Wales and furniture was custom built in London.
The 73 room building is in the early Victorian style or neo-Gothic style or Victorian Gothic style.
An asymmetrical two story building of brown and white sandstone. Multi gabled facades with two story bay windows. 3 towers and numerous chimneys. Interior includes the main ballroom with high vaulted timber ceilings.
Set amongst 37 acres of gardens and sweeping lawns. The garden includes many stone buildings including and an observatory built in 1840 and a lake. The picturesque gardens combine with the building and the setting to create outstanding views.
Considered one of the best vice-regal residences in the world or Australia.
Been home to nearly 30 Tasmanian governors.
2003: Controversy accompanied the appointment of Richard Butler as Governor. He was a former UN weapons inspector and prominent republican. His appointment as the Queen’s representative went from bemusement to unworkable and he eventually resigned.
Today: Government house is home of the Queen’s Representative (the Governor).
There is a public open day once a year and many small official ceremonies for people receiving awards and ceremonies to welcome specific groups to Tasmania. These ceremonies are by invitation only. Most ceremonies are in the gardens or the ball room. I have been to one such ceremony and on the day, like most people, the ceremony was more important than the building. I spent very little time admiring the building, furniture, art works and the grounds.
When wandering on the Domain it is unlikely that will get access to the house or gardens. They are in a very public spot. Very visible and very inaccessible.
Around the world there are palaces and vice-regal homes which are open to the people throughout the year. The government house in Hobart is not like that. Unlike the adjacent Botanical Gardens, you cannot just turn up and wander around the house or gardens. They have elaborate fences and are open to the public on a few special occasions when very large crowds turn up to view the grandeur and opulence.