By 1820 there were four or five tanneries operating along the banks of the Hobart Rivulet. The Rivulet supplied water necessary for their operation and also was a handy way of disposing of waste. (Wouldn’t be allowed today!) These tanneries produced leather for boots, saddles, horse tack, belts, an even for leather buckets and hinges.
Excerpt from Lindy Scripps "The Industrial Heritage of Hobart" 1997.
Cuthbertson’s tannery was the last tannery to operate along the Rivulet. It supplied leather to the Blundstone factory for boot making. This tannery opened in 1930 and continued operation until 2009. The buildings became derelict and were demolished in 2014 to make way for a residential development.
Beware, there are many muggles in this area. Have a rest on the nearby picnic seats while you wait for them to go.
The site in 2013 prior to demolition. Photo: The Mercury.
Photo: The Mercury.
A well-worn pair of Blundstone boots. Our photo.