Buildings, Machines, OM-1, Photography, Tasmania

Inside the Clock Tower

An exlusive tour inside of arguably Hobart’s most iconic bulding, as we see behind the faces of the GPO’s Clock Tower!

The Hobart GPO in Tasmania’s capital city, Hobart, was constructed between 1901 and 1905 on the site known as ‘Lords Corner’ at the north corner Elizabeth and Macquarie Street, it was built to celebrate Federation.

The architecture of the General Post Office (GPO) in Hobart is a splendid example of neoclassical and Palladian design. That’s fancy terms I found here. The clock tower is said to be a miniature replica of Big Ben in London.

GPO architect Alan Walker was Hobart-born and educated at the Hutchins School. – I also read architect John Lee Archer is credited with the design.

The tower on top of Hobart’s GPO has been telling people the time for 119 years like clockwork. Funny that, you will see why soon …

First we headed down to the basement. Big blocks of spare sandstone stored for repairs, jail cells and mystery lie within a rabbit warren between the magnificent foundation stones.

After climbing stairs and passing through a secret passage where security guards would spy on postal workers below, we came out into a lovely alcove in the centre of the building, where the beautiful skylight dome adorns the ceiling of the Post Office below. Look up next time you’re in there, I wonder how many don’t fully appreciate this space.

Looking up towards the clock works, the swinging pendulum of the GPO clock has the weight of keeping Hobart on time! It is connected to the clock mechanism by a very thin slither of steel – which in my excitement, I didn’t photograph :/

The amazing clock works of the GPO in Hobart. The black shaft goes up to the next floor to drive the clock faces …

An incredible time piece. I’ve wondered for years what was inside the tower and longed to have a look! It was great to get the rare chance.

And up a very steep set of stairs, a simply stunning and surreal place to stand in, with the light coming in through the four clock faces.

I wasn’t allowed to climb the wooden ladder above into the bell tower :/
Next, we ventured out onto the roof top.

The slate was brought over from England by boat and is still holding up admirably.

View over Franklin Square, looking up Macquarie Street.

Hobart’s Town Hall from the GPO roof.

The original Mercury building just down the street. I used to work in the newer Mercury building next to the GPO and for a while my window looked at the Post offices bricks across the laneway.

Thanks for visiting.
Time stands still for no one, unless you can travel at the speed of light!

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TasView (Tone)

Tone Bacon - Tasmanian photographer. tasview.com

17 thoughts on “Inside the Clock Tower”

  3. Wow, Tone, thank you for sharing this!! The building is beautiful, I love the color/colour and textures. The clock mechanism is one hundred percent a piece of art! Beautiful by design. I should fly to Hobart just to see the clock and the city. It looks lovely. 🇦🇺❤️

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    1. If you ever do come down, you have a place to stay! Though I am a bit out of the city now – but so worth the travel 😀 I love watches, camera’s, and all that kind of stuff, so to see this and watch it tick was an amazing experience! It is extremely rarely open to the public. I’ve worked at post for 9 years, pick up from the GPO twice a day and get on with the boss there … I caught him on a good day 😀

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      1. Thank you, Tone! So nice of you. I’m glad that you had the opportunity to go inside this beautiful tower, lucky you!

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      1. Wow! I would be challenged to fly a drone, never mind build one. So maybe you can apply for a part time job, Tone, when the “time” is right.

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  5. Just love how you have captured this amazing building. I just love the light architectural lines of the building. it must’ve been very cool to be up on the front looking down. Stunningly magical shots Tone .

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    1. Thanks Lynda, it was a very special moment! I only took one lens, a very wide one on my OM1. Perfect choice. The high contrast was somewhat of a challenge, but the right exposure and post editing magic brought them to life.

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  6. Brilliant photos. What an adventure. Can anybody do this tour? The lihht behind those clock faces is gorgeous. I possibly did school work experience in the Mercury Building. Was a fun experience!

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    1. I was a Compositor (graphic designer) at the Mercury for 26 years … it wasn’t fun for me eventually 😀
      When I was looking up information to include in my post I found the page below and as far as I know it is the only time it has been open to the public. I work for Post now and empty the GPO twice a day, so I get on well with the boss there … and asked him on a good day 😀 It was a fantastic experience.

      https://openhousehobart.org/buildings/general-post-office/

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