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Hartley Courthouse

Hartley Historic Site

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Overview

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.

Where
44 Old Great Western Highway, Hartley, NSW, 2790 - in Hartley Historic Site
Venue is suitable for
Arts and cultural events, private party or function and wedding ceremonies
Capacity
Maximum people: 40
The venue can hold 40 people for indoor events and 100 people for outdoor events.
Facilities
Picnic tables, carpark, toilets
Fees

$850 for use of the internal building, including a rehearsal day on either side. Outdoor wedding ceremonies are $375 for a 3 hour booking.

Availability
Available to hire 7 days a week except 25 and 31 December, and 1 January.
Venue not available for exclusive hire
The space outside the front of the courthouse is available for non-exclusive hire only. The internal courthouse building can be hired exclusively.
Bookings
Bookings are required. To make a booking or for more information contact Hartley Visitor Centre.
Other Information
  • The outdoor space in front of the courthouse can be hired for non-exclusive events such as wedding ceremonies.
  • The courthouse building can be hired exclusively for wedding ceremonies and events.

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’s an imposing building, as it was designed to be, and provides an impressive backdrop to any wedding or special event.

The building’s 3 doorways provided entrances for prisoners, the public and magistrates, and today, visitors can explore the cellblock that housed prisoners and convicts. Many notorious bushrangers and cattle thieves were kept here inside these cells, with their bars and bolts still in position. You can just imagine the thoughts of men that were once used to roaming the country being 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 you and your guests can wander through this historic building, celebrating your special day while contemplating Australia’s vivid colonial past.

For directions, safety and practical information, see venue info

Nearby

  • 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.

  • Family on the porch at Old Trahlee. Photo: John Spencer/OEH

    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, Hartley Historic Site. Photo: John Spencer/OEH

    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.

  • Historic Corneys Garage at Hartley Historic Site near Lithgow is now an antique shop. Credit: Cherylin Collier © Cherylin Collier

    Corneys Garage

    Nestled in the heart of Hartley Historic Site is Corneys Garage. Browse through a beautiful selection of antiques, while enjoying an immersive shopping experience near Lithgow.

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