St David’s Cathedral & Dean’s Tour

Architects: George F. Bodley, Henry Hunter, Alan C. Walker (1868–1936)

The Making of a Cathedral

What can you discover when a cathedral takes almost 70 years to complete?

Step inside St David’s Cathedral and explore one of Tasmania’s great Gothic Revival buildings, widely regarded as the finest Australian example of the work of celebrated English architect George Frederick Bodley.

The cathedral is the second church to stand on this site, with Bodley’s designs guiding its construction over an extraordinary 68-year period. Despite the long building process, the original architectural vision remained remarkably consistent, creating a richly detailed and harmonious Gothic interior.

Look closely as you explore and you’ll discover the details that make the cathedral so distinctive. The impressive arcaded entrance leads to a great west window, framed by fine tracery and buttressed turrets. Inside, stained glass, stonework and carefully crafted architectural details create a space designed to draw the eye upwards and fill the building with colour and light.

The cathedral’s square tower, built in local Oatlands stone, is another striking feature, with its castellated parapet and quatrefoil tracery giving the building a distinctive presence on Hobart’s skyline.

But St David’s is more than an architectural landmark. For generations it has been a place of worship, ceremony and community life, hosting important public occasions and events that form part of Tasmania’s history.

Today, you can explore the cathedral at your own pace through a self-guided tour, or join a special guided tour with the Dean, the Very Rev’d Richard Humphrey, for a closer look at the building and its stories.

Come and have a look, look up into the extraordinary spaces above you, discover the craftsmanship in the details and experience one of Hobart’s great Gothic treasures.

Open: Sat 7 & Sun 8 Nov, 1 – 5pm 
Tour: Sat 7 10.30am, 12.30pm & 2.30pm and Sun 8 Nov, 1.00pm & 3.00pm (bookings required)