Hartley historical tour

Welcome, acknowledgement of Country and safety briefing

Students are separated into groups of 20

Each group will visit the following 3 venues:

• Courthouse: Students learn about the role of justice, crime and punishment in Hartley, and participate in a mock trial.
• Gaol: Students experience how settlers were imprisoned and punished and spend time in a real gaol cell.
• Church: Students explore the everyday life of local farmers and settlers, and consider the role of religion and the broader impact of the colony.

Please wear fully enclosed shoes and bring a hat, sunscreen, wet weather gear, lunch and drinking water (there is no drinking water available at Hartley Historic Site. Students should bring gear in a backpack or similar (not plastic bags), and take their rubbish with them.

Get driving directions

From Mt Victoria:

• Travel west along the Great Western Highway
• Turn left into the village 4km after Little Hartley

Parking

There is gravel street parking at Hartley Courthouse and Hartley Historic Site Visitor Centre. Coach parking available.

• Hartley historical tour factsheet

Our rangers and guides have the technical skill and experience to assess the risks and the benefits of a variety of activities delivered as part of our learning programs.

We believe in including opportunities that allow students to learn and experience for themselves through exploration in the natural environment.

Please make your own risk assessment based on the information provided. Detailed potential risks and controls are provided for the site to assist teachers in risk management planning. Teachers and carers should be aware of, and consider the needs, abilities and medical conditions of students when visiting this site. The supervision of students remains the responsibility of the teacher. The school must ensure an adequate number of adult supervisors are present.

Disability access level - medium

Hartley Courthouse

Hartley Courthouse and the surrounding area is mostly flat:

• There's a long, wide gravel path that leads from the road to the courthouse and around its exterior.
• There are two entrances to the building – each has a single door with 2 stone steps leading up to it. The steps don’t have handrails.

St Bernards Church

St Bernards Church is set on a grassy hill. You’ll need to cross over a combination of sloping grass and gravel pathway to get around this area.

There are 2 entrances to the building:

• The front entrance has 2 stone steps and a double door
• The back entrance has 3 stone steps and a single door

There's a portable ramp that's available on request to help people with reduced mobility access the courthouse and church. The friendly staff at the visitor centre can assist in setting this up.

The nearest accessible toilets are 2min walk away behind the Old Post Office building.