Shot Tower, Taroona

The Shot Tower at Taroona is a historic building shot tower between Hobart and Kingston, Tasmania. It was designed and built by Joseph Moir in 1870 in only eight months. One of only three remaining shot towers in Australia, it is incorrectly alleged to be the tallest remaining shot tower in the world and the tallest ever built in the Southern Hemisphere,[1][2] which is disputed by the Clifton Hill Shot Tower.

The Shot Tower
The Shot Tower at Taroona
General information
TypeShot tower
LocationTaroona, Tasmania.
CountryAustralia
Construction started1870
Inaugurated8 September 1870
OwnerTasmanian government
Height192.6 feet (58.7 m)
Dimensions
Diameter10-3.9 metres
Technical details
MaterialSandstone
Design and construction
ArchitectJoseph Moir
EngineerJoseph Moir

It is however the sole claimant for the tallest stone shot tower in the Southern Hemisphere[3] and first shot tower in the Southern Hemisphere.[4] For four years it was the tallest building in Australia, and for one hundred years the tallest in Tasmania until it was superseded by the Mount Wellington broadcast tower.[4] The building is listed on the Tasmanian Heritage Register[5] and was listed on the now defunct Register of the National Estate.[6]

It is attached to a historic house known as Queensborough Glen, which was the residence of Joseph Moir for many years. The Shot Tower now operates as a tourist attraction, with visitors able to climb to the top, and visit the attached cafe.

Height

The tower has a height of 192.6 feet (58.7 m)[2] with a diameter of either 10m[3] or 6.37m at the base[7] with either 258[2][7] or 318 steps.[1]

References
  1. Smith, drawings by Max Angus ; text by Patsy Adam (1982). Hobart sketchbook (Rev. ed.). Adelaide: Rigby. p. 36. ISBN 0727000284.
  2. Norris, Keith (1980). Australia's heritage sketchbook (New ed.). Sydney: Weldon Pub. pp. 30–31. ISBN 1863022988.
  3. "Parks & Wildlife Service - History". www.parks.tas.gov.au. Parks & Wildlife Service. Retrieved 9 June 2016.
  4. "Joseph Moir's Shot Tower". Atlas Obscura. Atlas Obscura.
  5. http://heritage.tas.gov.au/Documents/THR%20as%20at5Jan2016.pdf
  6. "Shot Tower Historic Site, 318 Channel Hwy, Taroona, TAS, Australia (Place ID 11467)". Australian Heritage Database. Department of the Environment. 21 March 1978. Retrieved 4 November 2019.
  7. "Australian Heritage Database". www.environment.gov.au.

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