About the Tasmania Office

The History Room at the State Library of Tasmania is jointly operated by the National Archives and the State Library and Archive Service.

Researchers can access both Commonwealth and state records from the one location.

For more information about the Tasmanian Archives and Heritage collection, please visit their website.

The collection in Tasmania

The Tasmania Office holds similar records to other National Archives' offices around Australia, such as:

• immigration case files
• alien registration documentation
• lighthouse logbooks
• army pay records
• large-format architectural drawings of Commonwealth buildings in the state.

We also have collections unique to Tasmania, including records created by Commonwealth scientific agencies in the state.

Australian Antarctic Division

The Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) collection is a valuable record of Australia’s longstanding relationship with the Antarctic continent.

It includes voyage and station logs from the Australian National Antarctic Research Expedition (ANARE), which document the establishment and operation of Australian Antarctic and sub-Antarctic stations from 1947 onwards.

The logs provide an insight into the day-to-day life, activities, events and scientific work of ANARE expeditioners. Subjects covered include:

• pioneering glacier journeys
• seal and penguin counts
• blizzards
• frost bite
• icebreakers and snow vehicles
• midwinter celebrations and film nights
• husky dog reports
• accidents and medical emergencies.

The AAD correspondence collection documents Australia’s lead role in developing the Antarctic Treaty System and the Convention of the Regulation of Antarctic Mineral Resource Activities.

CSIRO

The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) Division of Marine and Atmospheric Research collection records Australia’s national and international activities to protect the living marine environment.

It also includes fisheries surveys, ocean current and tidal studies, and the correspondence collections of notable scientists.

Bureau of Meteorology

The Bureau of Meteorology collection includes climatic and scientific notes and reports.

Among these is a series of tidal readings and meteorological data recorded at Port Arthur between 1837 and 1877 by Thomas Lempriere, the Deputy Assistant Commissary General at the Port Arthur penal settlement.

Visitor information

Research Centre opening hours

We are open from 9:30 am to 5 pm on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. We are closed on public holidays. Bookings are not required.

The Research Centre is shared between the National Archives and the State Library and Archive Service. Researchers can access both Commonwealth and state records from the one location.

Entry

Entry to the National Archives is free.

Onsite accessibility

Wheelchair access

All public areas of the National Archives are wheelchair accessible.

Toilet facilities

Toilets with disabled facilities are available on the ground, first and second floors.

Assistance animals

Visitors with recognised assistance animals, including guide and hearing dogs, are welcome.

Getting here

Car parking

The closest all-day parking station is the Hobart Central Carpark – 60 Melville Street. Free limited duration 30 minute parking is provided at the State Library, 91 Murray Street. Surrounding streets have pay parking meters.

Public transport

The State Library is a 5 minute walk from the Hobart Bus Mall located in Elizabeth Street. Metro Tasmania timetables can be found at Timetables and Maps - Metro Tasmania Metro Tasmania

Taxis

Taxis can drop off in front of the State Library on Murray Street. The nearest taxi rank is in Liverpool Street near the entrance to the Wellington Centre.

Postal address

GPO Box 309
Hobart
Tas 7001