Oatlands

What’s special about Oatlands?

• It is a quaint, colonial town.
• The Callington Mill.
• Casaveen Knitwear showroom and cafe.

The Heritage Highway bypasses the town now, but it is well worth taking the short detour to spend some time in Oatlands. Visit the town’s signature landmark, the striking sandstone silhouette of Callington Mill (1837). It is a reminder of the historic importance of the town to wheat farmers who worked the district's big farms. Local gardening enthusiasts are creating a parterre garden near the mill.

Enjoy a glass of Tasmanian wine over lunch at the Casaveen Knitwear Cafe. Wander the gourmet pantry and showroom where you will find locally-sourced Tasmanian gift items and regional produce. At the visitor centre, discover the Midland's history and how Casaveen's developed from wool-growing to the manufacturing of knitwear exported worldwide. Take a tour of the working factory and watch skilled craftspeople in action.

For fishing enthusiasts, nearby Lake Dulverton is regularly restocked with fish from the Oatlands District High School Aquaculture Centre and is a popular fishing spot. There are barbecue facilities and shelters nearby, an ideal spot for an afternoon picnic.

A walk along Campbell Street will take you past the Court House and the Old Gaol. The Court House is the oldest building in the town, built by convicts in 1829. All that remains of the jail are the entrance gates, also built by convict labour during the year 1830.

More things to do:

Parattah
Holyrood House
White Horse Inn

The story of Oatlands:

Oatlands was established as a military post 1821 and named by Governor Lachlan Macquarie. The town's historic jail and court house are reminders of the convict past. (Read more about one of Oatland's infamous former residents).

Travel directions:

Oatlands is about one hours’ drive (84 kilometres/52 miles) north of Hobart or 90 minutes’ south of Launceston.