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The Goods Shed
The early 20th century brought rapid changes to Hobart’s waterfront, including significant developments in the railyards. These changes were driven largely by the booming growth in fruit production and exports, which caused goods traffic to surge by an impressive 71.5%. To meet this demand, Hobart required a new railyard and Goods Shed to handle the increased freight volume efficiently.
Redevelopment of the Macquarie Point railyard began in 1911, with the Goods Shed as a central feature of the project. Plans for the shed were finalised in 1914. Designed to facilitate the transfer of goods, the shed was originally 91.5 meters long and consisted of 25 structural bays. It was constructed on timber piles and clad in corrugated iron, using a combination of local Tasmanian timbers and imported Oregon pine for its timber frame.
The shed was strategically designed to optimise rail and road freight operations. Two trainlines entered the building from the northern end, with the western platform designated for outbound goods and the eastern platform for inbound deliveries. Sliding doors on both sides of the structure allowed trucks to be loaded and unloaded directly within the shed. At the southern end, overlooking what was then the Hobart Rivulet (now Evans Street), offices were built for railway staff.
Construction was completed in December 1915 and the Goods Shed quickly became a vital link in Hobart’s supply chain. Rail lines were extended to connect directly to the wharf, enhancing the efficiency of goods transportation between the railyard and the port.
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Historic Uses
(Artistic impression of the original interior of The Goods Shed)
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Desperately needed, the Goods Shed was an immediate success, with more than double the handling capacity of the old building. The railyards and Goods Shed handled a wide variety of products from all over Tasmania. Most notable was the export of fruit, which was transported by rail from the main growing districts in the Derwent Valley, Southern Midlands, Lilydale, Tamar Valley, Scottsdale, Latrobe and Spreyton. Other products also made their way through the yard and shed, including frozen rabbits, produce and chaff. Imported flour made its way from Hobart by train throughout Tasmania.
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(Artistic impression of the original interior of The Goods Shed)
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A distinctive feature of the railyards was the produce auctions, which were introduced to bring farmers into direct contact with consumers and popularise rail transport. Auctioneers would sell chaff, potatoes and other produce straight from the trucks every morning at 10 o’clock. By the 1940s, the condition of the shed had declined and it was too small for growing operations. In response, the timber piles and flooring were replaced by concrete and an extension of a further 6 bays were added at its northern end, bringing the building to its current length of 115 metres.
In the 1980s substantial internal changes were made. Although rail freight transport was increasing, the need for the Goods Shed had declined. In 1984 the building was converted to a transit warehouse for truck use and the internal rail lines were removed. Constrained by both its size and location, the railyards became increasingly inefficient for handling modern containerised freight trains.
The last train left Mac Point in June 2014.
Image: TA The Weekly Courier
Thursday 23 December 1915 p23
Image: 1914, TAHO, The Weekly Courier, 28 May 1914, p18.
Image: TA, The Weekly Courier 23 December 1915
The Goods Shed Bookings
The Goods Shed at Mac Point hosts a range of events, including gigs, art exhibitions, theatre performances, and the launch of countless fine food and beverage offerings.
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​The 2,500sqm space provides a hub for local, national, and international events.
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To make a booking, email: info@hobartbrewingco.com.au
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Planned Future Use
To support the redevelopment of the site, a new location has been identified for the Goods Shed where it’s connection to place can remain, heritage can be honoured and community activation can continue.
The identified location will reposition the Goods Shed with the first railway line constructed in 1876 and will place it close to the historic location of the Train Maintenance Shed, which was a structure of similar type and size that was part of the Hobart Rail Yards. This relocation will continue to honour the historical precedent for railway buildings beside the Escarpment and the Goods Shed will be further enhanced with supportive interpretation to highlight the original platform edge and rail lines.
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