What remains of the past is giving the Historic Village of Berrima its future, as thousands of visitors continue to discover the charm of Australia’s best-preserved colonial Georgian village. Berrima was established in the 1830s during a time of great exploration and pastoral expansion. It was a time when Australia began its march towards nationhood.
Through Berrima’s busy streets and country lanes paraded a raw and riotous collection of early nineteenth century inhabitants. When visiting historic Berrima a must see is the Berrima courthouse.
Today, a visit to the courthouse is much more a unique theatrical experience rather than a foreboding one. The Berrima courthouse late last year completed a mammoth project in producing and installing a spectacular Son et Lumiere (sound & light show) titled “Treachery Treason & Murder” a dramatic and moving audio visual experience masterfully depicting the most infamous trial of the 1840s.
As you walk into the main courtroom you are surrounded on all sides by juror’s public gallery, witnesses, and barrister’s clerks of the court. As the preamble comes to a conclusion the judge appears out of the darkened courtroom to commence his sentencing of the two murderers. His final summation and orders will chill you. All in all in its latest incarnation the Berrima courthouse still provides those that enter a glimpse into our early 1830s justice system, albeit without the risk of a lengthy sentence to prison or even a more somber outcome the death sentence. The Berrima courthouse has become one of the “must see” attractions for those that visit the southern highlands & historic Berrima.
TOURS
We offer tours of the Courthouse 364 days a year.
SELF-GUIDED TOURS
Starting every 30 mins in the “Captain Starlight Theatrette” then proceeding at your own pace through the various rooms of the courthouse, viewing such things as “The Berrima Quilt” display. Photographs of the German internees and p.o.w’s off the German first world war ship the Emden including their many and various exploits in and around Berrima. A timeline, First fleet room, holding cell’s and finally our presentation “Treachery Treason & Murder” in the grand courtroom itself.
GUIDED TOURS FOR GROUPS & SCHOOLS
Guided tours for groups need to be pre-arranged so that an escort guide is available on the day. Our guides are very knowledgeable with merry quips for an enjoyable tour. School Tours are also catered for, it proves to be an entertaining visit and we offer an information pack to re-inforce what the children learn on the day.
PRICES:
Adults $10.00
Concession: Seniors/Students $9.00
Family pass Two adults & no limit on number of children $20.00
GHOST HUNTS
Join APPI for this 4 hour event, where we will take you to through this historic precinct, tell you some stories, and then we will search to see if we can make contact with any of the spirits who may still remain.
Using our technical equipment plus some spiritual methods, this is a great night out – and even better, a great weekend away!
BOOKS
Specialising in books about Australian colonial-era history.
Facilities
- Disabled Access