Hartley Courthouse
Hartley Historic Site
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.
Hire this venue or stay:
-
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.
-
Old Trahlee
Old Trahlee offers unique accommodation in a charmingly restored colonial cottage in Hartley Historic Site, at the foot of the Blue Mountains.
-
St Bernard's Presbytery
Stay at deluxe St Bernard’s Presbytery cottage for a romantic getaway. Located only 15 minutes from Mount Victoria, it’s the perfect spot to immerse yourself in Hartley Historic Site’s colonial past.
Subscribe to Naturescapes
Subscribe to our Naturescapes e-newsletter which is packed with the latest information, experiences and events in NSW national parks. Your next park adventure starts here.
Download our app
The free NSW National Parks app lets you download maps and explore parks, things to do and places to stay—all without mobile reception.
Operated by
- Hartley Visitor Centre
- 10am to 1pm and 1.30pm to 4pm. Closed Mondays, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
- 02 6355 2117
- hartley@environment.nsw.gov.au
- Farmers Inn, 51 Old Great Western Highway, Hartley 2790
Park info
- in Hartley Historic Site in the Sydney and surrounds region
Hartley Historic Site is open every day but access may be limited at times due to fire danger, school bookings or organised events.
What's nearby:
Things to do (42)
- Adventure sports (4)
- Birdwatching and wildlife encounters (3)
- Cafes and kiosks (1)
- Cycling (3)
- Environmental appreciation/study (4)
- Historic heritage (8)
- Other experiences (3)
- Photography (1)
- Picnics and barbecues (6)
- Road trips and car/bus tours (2)
- Sightseeing (14)
- Visitor centres (2)
- Walking (15)
- Waterfalls (8)
- Wildflowers (seasonal) (3)