Estancia Harberton

Location:
Ushuaia, Argentina

Historical Building

By D. M. Finer

Located 85 km east of Ushuaia, the Estancia Harberton, which was founded in 1886, is the oldest in Tierra del Fuego and the oldest house on the Argentinean part of the island. It sits on a narrow peninsula overlooking the Beagle Channel. The founder, local pioneer and missionary Thomas Bridges, was given the land by the Argentine government in recognition of his work with the indigenous population. The original farmhouse was manufactured in England by Thomas Bridges father in law, shipped to Argentina, and then assembled where it stands today. The Estancia Harberton has remained in the Bridges family to this day, and is now partly owned and fully managed by Thomas Bridges’s great grandson. Although sheep was the purpose of the estancia at its founding, today it is its historical draw that attracts people there. Day guests can go on guided tours in English or Spanish through its grounds, buildings, cemetery and botanical garden. Tourists wanting to sleep the night have the option of staying in the renovated cookhouse or the shepherds’ house ($60-80) a night. Another option, if special permission is acquired in advance, is to camp on its grounds.

Other interesting sights nearby the Estancia Harberton are: the Museo Acatushún de Aves y Mamíferos Marinos Australes, a museum dedicated to the area’s many marine birds and mammals; and the Magellanic penguin rookeries at isla Martillo.

Estancia Harberton is most easily reached via tours operating out of Ushuaia, some of which come by boat.

Getting There
85 km east of Ushuia, via Ruta 3

Relative price: Budget

Open Hours from:10 a.m.

Open Hours to:7 p.m.

Days Closed:Christmas, New Years, Easter

Travel Skills: None

Contact Information:
Phone: 02901/422742
E-mail: estanciaharberton(at)remove-this.tierradelfuego.org.ar