Construction on the New Military Barracks began in 1835, just a year after the completion of the Old Military Barracks. So why the rush? Fearful of a convict uprising, the colonial powers deployed extra soldiers to Norfolk Island. And those soldiers needed somewhere to live, pronto.
Like many of the buildings in the Kingston UNESCO World Heritage Site, the barracks were built by convict hands. With its handsome Georgian facade, it’s hard to think of the New Military Barracks as a place of turmoil. But for the poor prisoners tasked with the hard labour, life was anything but rosy.
Today the New Military Barracks are used as the Administrator’s Office and Council Offices.
Visitor Information
Operating Hours: 24/7
Cost: Free
Getting Here: Located on Quality Row. A 10-minute drive from Burnt Pine.
Top tips for New Military Barracks
The cannons near the entrance are believed to be from the HMS Sirius, the First Fleet flagship that was wrecked off the coast of Norfolk Island in 1790.
Check out the New Military Barracks’ predecessor, the Old Military Barracks, which sits on the next plot over on Quality Row.
More attractions at Kingston UNESCO World Heritage Site
Don’t let the gory legend of Bloody Bridge deter you; visit this historic landmark to admire the stonework and hard labour of the convicts who built it.
Visit the Commissariat to learn about Norfolk’s convict past. This historic building once held food supplies for the convicts and jailers on Norfolk Island.
Formerly the Surgeons Quarters, today this resilient little building houses a fascinating collection of photographs which bring the history of our island to life.
Visit Kingston Pier, which was a vital entry point for Norfolk’s settlers and still welcomes supply ships and fishing boats as it has done for two centuries.
Bring your camera along to capture this solitary tree that survived the mass felling of Norfolk pines and stood sentry over the island’s turbulent history.
Turn back to Norfolk Island’s convict chapter at No. 10 Quality Row, now a museum. Learn about the home’s inhabitants as you wander through the restored interior.
Our fascinating history takes on a new dimension at the Norfolk Island Cemetery. Read the grave stones marking two centuries of life on this South Pacific island.
The Old Military Barracks have served many purposes over the years. Visit the Kingston UNESCO World Heritage Site to find out what important roles it has played.
Wander the stone ruins of Crankmill, another one of Norfolk’s sites with a dark past. Book your holiday now to discover our island’s intriguing history!
