THE PILGRIM TRAIL   Moir’s Shot Tower

  
Any Top Ender planning a trip to the ‘bottom end’ of Australia would do well to consider a visit to Tasmania’s historic shot tower.  Situated some 11km south of Hobart on the coastal road to Kingston, it is a landmark of considerable note and a reminder of the rich shooting heritage of the region more than a century ago.
 Tower Entrance
The tower itself was completed in 1870 by Joseph Moir, and the visitor quickly comes to appreciate that he was an expatriated Scotsman of considerable character!    Self - proclaimed   engineer,
Tower- Old Photo
architect, carpenter and overseer during construction, he remained proprietor until his death in 1874 aged 65 years.
Portrait- Joseph Moir
His two sons and a brother-in-law then managed the business in turn until the rising cost of raw materials forced its closure in 1905.
The tower stands 48 metres high and is 6.4 metres in diameter at the base and 3.8 metres across the top.  Its walls taper
from 86 cm thick at the base to 52 cm thick at the garret.  It is estimated that more than 4000 curved and tapered stone blocks were cut from a disused convict quarry across the valley and incorporated into the structure.  Claims by Moir that construction was completed in 8 months are believed to be exaggerated by several years!
 
In 1956 the Moir Shot Tower and associated property was acquired by the Crown and gazetted as an historical site. It currently carries a National Trust ‘A’ Classification.
  
 
Shot-Making Award
The main floor of the old factory building at the base of the tower is now a museum with numerous old photographs
Shot-Making Colander
 
 
and historical shot-making paraphernalia, and an informative video presentation may be viewed on entry.  Displays include the original lead furnaces, cauldrons, ladles and colanders, examples of graded shot and their packaging, certificates awarded at Mainland Exhibitions, cartridges and early reloading gear, and even a couple of period firearms although they are rather ‘down’ in condition, to say the least…!
 Lead Cauldron
Visitors are encouraged to climb the tower via an internal timber spiral staircase, upon completion of which an award is allegedly presented to anyone who can correctly number the stairs! Your humble scribe lost count somewhere in the high 200s...  The spectacular 360-degree view from the external  landing  at the top  includes  the
 
 
Inside the Tower Looking Up
Lower Derwent estuary and Blackmans Bay, and is well worth the climb. Be- ware, vertigo sufferers will be challenged!
The museum includes a souvenir shop offering general Tasmanian souvenirs and historical publications as well as material specific to the shot tower.  The down- stairs area functions as a cosy tea-room where visitors can enjoy repast in a delightful historic atmosphere with a Scottish flavour.  Some refreshment is certainly warranted after successfully completing the climb!
The Moir Shot Tower is open to visitors from 9 am each day, or “as other-wise might be arranged”.  A modest fee is payable on entry.
 
 
 
 
  Inscription above Tower Door