The Old Umbrella Shop at 60 George Street is the last genuinely intact Victorian-era shop in Tasmania, and possibly in Australia. The building dates from the 1860s, and the interior — all dark wood, pressed metal ceiling, and glass-fronted display cases — has not been modernised in over a century. The shop is managed by the National Trust and still sells umbrellas, alongside Tasmanian souvenirs and gifts.
The draw is the time-warp quality of the place: standing inside, it is genuinely difficult to remember what decade you are in. The display of antique umbrellas along the walls shows how elaborate umbrella-making was as a craft in the 19th century — parasols with ivory handles, walking-stick umbrellas, mourning umbrellas in black silk. Entry to browse is free; purchases are encouraged.