Tas That Was – Cornelian Bay Cemetery

The Cornelian Bay Cemetery is the oldest graveyard in Tasmania that is still in use today.

History

Four cemeteries were opened in Hobart shortly after it was established in 1804. By 1843, they had become public health hazards: they were too close to the city centre, and the soil was so rocky that graves could not be dug deeply enough.

The old Government Farm at Cornelian Bay was suggested as a suitable location for a new cemetery, but no action was taken for almost twenty years. Finally, after much argument and procrastination, the farm site was chosen as a new cemetery. It was cleared and fenced by convicts, and was opened in 1872. A twelve-year-old girl named Bridget Ryan was the first person to be buried at there. She died from typhoid fever in 1872. Her grave still exists.

The mortuary chapel was the Cemetery’s first new building. It was designed and built by Henry Hunter, a colonial architect. A superintendent’s residence, a blacksmith’s shop, and a gazebo-styled shelter were also built. An old farmhouse became the Cemetery Caretaker’s residence.

Today

Today, the Cornelian Bay Cemetery features a range of gardens, bushland settings, and manicured lawns.

It is estimated that there have been 100,000 burials and 60,000 cremations at the Cemetery since it was established.

Photo gallery

Bibliography

• ‘A walk through Tasmanian history at the Cornelian Bay Cemetery’ (ABC Local).
• ‘Cornelian Bay Cemetery, Hobart’ (Cemeteries & Churches & Things).
• ‘Cornelian Bay’ (Millingtons).
• ‘The Old Government Farm’ (On The Convict Trail).

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Tas That Was is a column that includes:

• anecdotes of life in Tasmania in the past;
• historical photographs of locations in Tasmania; and/or
• documentaries about locations in Tasmania.

If you have an anecdote or photograph you’d like to share with us, please send it to submit@tasmaniantimes.com.