Australasian Society for Historical Archaeology 2025 Conference, Devonport, Tasmania/Lutruwita

The 2025 Australasian Society for Historical Archaeology (ASHA) Conference will be held in Devonport, Tasmania/Lutruwita. Devonport is a vibrant coastal city full of charm, culture, and natural beauty. It was named Tasmania’s Top Tourism Town in 2025 for the third year running. The area is rich in Indigenous, European and maritime heritage and is close to the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area and the UNESCO world heritage sites of Brickendon and Woolmers.

About this event

The 2025 ASHA conference will commence with a Welcome Function on the evening of Tuesday 23th September at the Southern Wild Distillery from 6-8pm. It will officially open on Wednesday 24th September with a keynote address by Caleb Pedder, followed by conference sessions from Wednesday to Friday inclusive.

The conference dinner will be held on Friday 26th September at the Devonport Football Club and catered by Taste by Bold.

A field trip will be offered on the afternoon of Thursday 25th September, all day on Saturday 27th September along with an optional field trip (EOIs sought) to on Tuesday 23 September.

The Thursday tour will be held at the Bass Strait Maritime Museum and is included within the Conference program.

The Saturday field trip will take you to the UNESCO World Heritage Convict Sites of the Brickendon and Woolmers Estates.

We are also offering an optional pre-conference tour to the Tiagarra Indigenous Cultural Centre on Tuesday 23 September.

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Registrations:

Early Bird registrations close at midnight on Saturday 6 September 2025.

Full Conference registrations close at midnight on Tuesday 16 September 2025.

Member Discounts: ASHA members receive discounted registrations. If you are not a current member, you can join or renew here.

Virtual attendance: We are excited to again offer virtual registrations for this year's conference. We are also pleased to offer free online registration for undergraduate students (members and non-members) and postgraduate students (ASHA members only).

Cancellations: Conference registrations cancelled prior to 10 September 2025 will be refunded in full (minus administrative fees). Cancellations after 10 September 2025 will not be refunded unless there are extenuating circumstances.

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Conference Theme: Islands of Knowledge: Sites, Stories, and Significance

Conference Venue: The official conference venue is the Paranaple Convention Centre, 137 Rooke Street, Devonport, Tasmania

Major Conference Sponsor and organiser: Austral Archaeology

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Dietary Restrictions and Allergies: Please include these in your registration and also contact conference@asha.org.au if you have any serious allergies we should know about.

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Conference Tours:

Optional pre-conference tour to the Tiagarra Indigenous Cultural Centre

Tuesday 23 September, EOIs sought

Opened in 1976, Tiagarra is one of the oldest Aboriginal operated cultural centres and keeping places in Australia. It is the oldest resident structure situated among the beautiful bush and coastal setting of the Mersey Bluff, where wallabies and other native wildlife still roam. A visit to Tiagarra offers a profound and enriching experience, connecting visitors with the deep history and vibrant culture of Tasmania’s Aboriginal people. Through its extensive exhibits, ancient rock art, and engaging community programs, the centre provides invaluable insights into the traditions and contributions of Tasmania’s first inhabitants. Whether you are a history enthusiast, an art lover, or simply curious about Aboriginal culture, Tiagarra promises an inspiring and educational visit.

This tour is subject to EOIs. It will run for 2 hours. Please register for the tour if you would like to attend via the ticketing page. Registration costs are $60 per person. Transport to and from the tour will not be provided.

Bass Strait Maritime Museum

Thursday 25 September

A visit to Bass Strait Maritime Museum is included within the Conference program.

As Islanders, Tasmanians identify deeply with their maritime heritage.  Heavily reliant on shipping due to its isolation from mainland Australia, Tasmania’s dependence on interstate shipping is significantly higher than other Australian states, and this reliance extends to Tasmania’s Bass Strait islands. Devonport has played a pivotal role in connecting Tasmania to these islands and the mainland via Bass Strait. Housed in a 1920s Harbourmaster's cottage, this creatively curated museum brings maritime history to life with regular exhibitions, interactive exhibits, captivating ship models, local stories, and natural wonders. Highlights include a ship simulator, allowing visitors to steer out of the Mersey River and tackle Bass Strait, and a permanent exhibition of Indigenous Pakana and Palawa maritime heritage called ‘Our First Mariners’.

UNESCO World Heritage sites of Brickendon and Woolmers Estates

Saturday 27th September, 9am – 5pm, cost $125 p/p (including lunch)

Brickendon Estate is one of Tasmania’s oldest farming properties, settled in 1824 by William Archer. The farm has been continuously operated and lived on by his direct descendants, now in their seventh generation. In July 2010, Brickendon Estate, along with its neighbouring property, Woolmers Estate, was listed jointly as a World Heritage Site being part of the Australian Convict Sites World Heritage Property. The two Estates are regarded as the most significant rural estates in Australia, having the second largest number of convict workers and still retaining a living history from early European settlement to the present day. At the Brickendon Farm Village which dates from 1824, you will discover where convicts worked, the conditions they lived in and what their fate was. They were paid no wages, but they were fed, housed and clothed and sometimes punished according to the regulations of the convict system.

Woolmers Estate is also a key component of Australia’s heritage, representing one of the most intact pioneer farm complexes in the nation. Founded in 1817 by Thomas Archer, it remained in the Archer family for six generations until 1994. Spanning 82 hectares, the estate comprises a collection of buildings that have preserved their 19th-century condition, including the main homestead, workers’ cottages, a chapel, a blacksmith shop, stables, and notably, one of the oldest intact woolsheds in Australia. This site is renowned for its comprehensive assembly of colonial buildings, antique furnishings, and artifacts, providing a glimpse into the early European settlement of Tasmania and the progression of rural life in Australia across two centuries. In addition to its historical and architectural significance, Woolmers Estate boasts beautiful gardens and hosts various events throughout the year, including the celebrated Festival of Roses.

Transport to and from Woolmers and Brickenden is included in the tour.

A drop-off can be arranged at Launceston Airport on the return trip (for tour participants only). Advance notice must be given.

Further Information: Can be found through the ASHA website as it becomes available.

We look forward to seeing you in Devonport!