Signal Station, Princes Park

Princes Park, Battery Square, Battery Point

Saturday, Nov 09

Bookings are not required, just turn up!

The Semaphore Cottage in Princes Park is the oldest building in Battery Point. Built in 1818 as part of the Mulgrave Battery, it quickly became a key part of the Hobart port signal system.  Within a few years, this evolved into Australia’s most extensive semaphore signal system linking Hobart with Port Arthur and south-eastern Tasmania. The Battery was reconstructed in 1841-42 and renamed the Prince of Wales Battery. An additional Battery at the rear of the site was constructed in 1854, and named the Albert Battery. From then onwards, the Batteries were often referred to collectively as the Prince of Wales and Albert Batteries, or the Mulgrave Point Batteries.

The Mulgrave Battery and Signal Station demonstrate the evolution of the Derwent Defence Network and Semaphore System, and the developments in military and communication technology throughout the 19th century. As one of the earliest surviving buildings in Hobart, the Guard House and Signal Station is a representative example of Old Colonial Georgian architecture.

Open: Saturday 9 November 2024, 10am – 4pm

Location

Battery Point

Building Types

Cultural

Fort

Nautical

Architectural Period

Colonial

Features

Heritage

History of Hobart

Just Turn Up!

New to Program

Accessibility

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