The Shot Tower is one of Tasmania’s most distinctive heritage landmarks and has presided over the waterside suburb of Taroona since the late 1800s. A testament to Joseph Moir’s ingenuity, the circular sandstone tower stands 58 metres high and is still one of the tallest buildings in Tasmania. Today, the enormity of Moir’s ambitious project is not lost; the Shot Tower, built with the purpose of producing lead shot, is one of few remaining circular structure of its kind in the world.
Visitors can climb the 259 steps of the circular staircase to the very top of this iconic industrial tower and be rewarded with scenic views over the River Derwent, Hobart and beyond. You may even find the trek to the top easier than imagined, as the wooden steps were designed to be gentle for the workers carrying heavy sacks of lead in days gone by.
Learn more about the fascinating process of lead shot making in the museum at the base of the tower.