This two-day journey takes you from the ski fields of Ben Lomond and the historic village of Evandale in the north, through the island's pastoral heartland, to the capital of Hobart. Although Tasmania is known for its 19th century penal settlements, it was very much a traditional colonial community, supported by the labour, produce and enterprise of free settlers. A slow drive along the Heritage Highway introduces you to towns that have serviced the island’s farmers and graziers since the early 1800s. The wide streets of Longford, Campbell Town, Ross and Oatlands are lined with historic buildings and antique stores, while a short drive off the main road are stately homes once owned by the landed gentry, beautifully preserved and open to the public.
What You Will DiscoverMuch of the Heritage Highway touring route follows the Midlands Highway (A1) - the main transport route between Tasmania's northern and southern population centres. Now that the Midlands Highway bypasses many of the historic towns on the touring route, there’s even more incentive to park your car and wander their quiet streets at your own pace, browsing among arts, crafts and antiques, savouring the aroma of freshly baked country bread and the sounds of rural life.
Evandale is rich in colour and character - particularly on Sundays, when visitors from nearby Launceston and interstate join locals at the arts and craft market. To the south is Ross Bridge, a masterpiece of convict stonemasonry built in 1836, its elegant arches adorned with 186 intricately carved panels. Oatlands, a little further south still, has the largest collection of Georgian architecture in the country. West of the highway are the lakes and streams of Tasmania's central highlands - the town of Cressy considers itself the national capital of brown trout fishing.
Highlights Handy Information
If you are starting at the northern end of the route, visit Evandale, a charming colonial village with Georgian buildings dating back to the 1820s. On a Sunday, pick up fresh produce, arts, crafts and homemade goodies at the Evandale Market at Falls Park. The Tasmanian Gourmet Sauce Company is another must-see (and taste!) and also the home of the State’s largest topiary nursery.
In February each year the town hosts the internationally renowned Penny Farthing Championships – on bikes like these you’d expect competitors to wear top hats and tails but in fact they look like speed cyclists.
An ‘alternative’ route to Evandale is via Ben Lomond, which is just 40 minutes’ drive from Launceston – take the road to White Hills and follow the signs. (On your return, take the turn-off to Evandale at White Hills.)
Ben Lomond is the largest single alpine area in Tasmania, boasting the State’s best snow skiing and highest hotel. In warmer months, it’s a spectacular place to walk and spot wildlife, while its magnificent views add to the thrill of rockclimbing, mountain biking and abseiling.
After Evandale, it’s on to the gracious Clarendon homestead, just 11km south, on the banks of the South Esk River. Wander through elegantly furnished rooms overlooking extensive formal gardens, beautiful parklands and the original farm buildings.
Also on the banks of the South Esk are Perth and Longford, about 20 minutes from either Evandale or Launceston. Picnic on the riverbank at Perth or stop for lunch in Longford, which on approach resembles an English country village, especially in autumn when the colours are glorious.
While in Longford, play the detective game of Skulduggery ‘Where there’s Smoke’, which follows in the footsteps of John James, convict constable and master sleuth. Longford is one of three towns on the highway that play host to Skulduggery – the others being Ross and Oatlands. These games are a great way to get a feel for life in these villages during the early 1800s and meet some of our friendly locals at the same time. You can purchase the Skulduggery games from Tasmanian Travel and Visitor Information Centres in Launceston, Ross, Oatlands or Hobart and at participating local businesses in each of the three host towns.
Longford is close to Cressy, the national capital of year-round brown trout fishing. Escorted fishing tours are available out of Longford or Cressy, while Poatina Village, a family accommodation venue, is 15 minutes’ drive from Cressy on the scenic mountain lake route to Hobart.
You’ll love the gardens in and around Longford. A short drive from the town centre are two fine estates open to visitors. Brickendon is an historic working farm continuously owned and managed by members of the same family for almost two centuries. Indulge your senses in the Brickendon National Estate listed gardens before feeding farmyard animals and playing colonial games in the Farmyard Village.
Adjacent to Brickendon is Woolmers Estate, which is home to the National Rose Garden – gorgeous in summer! The gracious Woolmers homestead contains a wide range of collections acquired by the Archer family from 1817 to 1994, providing a rare insight into six generations of one family. Escorted tours are available.
After Perth and Longford, it’s on to Campbell Town via Epping Forest and Cleveland. St Andrew’s Inn in Cleveland is an example of a typical 19th century coaching inn where horse-drawn carriages used to stop en route between Hobart and Launceston.
Campbell Town, the historic heart of Tasmania, has in excess of 100 houses more than 100 years old! Savour the beauty of the town while enjoying refreshments from one of the many eateries along the main street. Then enjoy a walk along the banks of the serene Elizabeth River and view the Red Bridge, built in 1838 by convict labour using over one million bricks!
Campbell Town is also home to the Convict Brick Trail, made up of bricks that are each dedicated to an individual convict. Walk the trail and learn the convicts’ names, crimes, transportation dates and ships. You’re welcome to purchase a brick to commemorate a convict – familial or adopted!
Alternatively, visit the Heritage Highway Museum in the historic court house to learn more about the town’s history. (Note to fishing enthusiasts: there is also some great trout fishing east of Campbell Town at pretty Lake Leake.)
The Heritage Highway offers a broad range of accommodation from Georgian cottage bed and breakfasts and original coaching inns, through to motels, hotels and caravan parks.
Just 10 minutes from Campbell Town is the timeless village of Ross. Stroll under the huge English elms that dominate the main street. A short walk from the centre of the village is the famous Ross Bridge (1836), also built by convict labour and featuring 186 intricate carvings, some of which are caricatures of local personalities of the day, such as the then governor, George Arthur.
Also, don’t miss seeing the site of the nearby female factory prison. You can learn about both sites and other interesting features of Ross by playing Skulduggery’s ‘The Arch Villains’.
Ross is in the heart of Tasmania’s world-renowned wool-growing area, which has on many occasions held the world-record price for a bale of superfine Merino wool. Displays in the Tasmanian Wool Centre’s Heritage Museum and Wool Exhibition include samples of superfine wool cloth together with other interesting features of a bygone era. Take yourself on a self-guided tour of the Museum and then browse through the quality woollen merchandise for sale.
Ross is also great for a meal at one of its bakeries or cafes or at the village pub. Oatlands – about half an hour south – also has a good selection of dining options.
On your way to Oatlands, pause to admire the old coaching inn at Tunbridge – now a stately private residence. Spanning the river at Tunbridge is the convict-built Blackman’s River Bridge, dating back to 1848. This is the oldest wooden span bridge in Australia, and was used as a meeting place for Irish political exiles during early settlement.
Oatlands has the distinction of having the largest collection of colonial sandstone buildings in a village environment in Australia. The 87 buildings in the main street help the town retain its 19th century character. Much of the stone was quarried locally from the shores of Lake Dulverton, a man-made lake in the town that is now a wildlife sanctuary.
Visit the Heritage Highway Centre here for more information about the town and region and buy the Skulduggery game ‘ Forgery for Fools’.
Climb to the top of the Callington Mill steam and wind flour mill (the country’s third oldest windmill). At the base of the Mill is an interesting soundscape feature that tells the story of the mill.
Make your way to Hobart on the afternoon of the second day.
About 30 minutes off the main highway, Bothwell has the oldest golf course in the Southern Hemisphere, dating back to the 1820s. The Australasian Golf Museum is widely recognised for its excellent collection and is reputed to have the most interesting memorabilia outside of St Andrews in Scotland. In Bothwell, there are 53 National Trust Classified buildings. One that is particularly worth a visit is the church of St Michaels and All Angels, which has an unusual feature inside – a fireplace!
Back on the main Highway, easily overlooked by travellers, is the tiny township of Kempton – look for the turn-off. A stroll through the main street of this historic village reveals another charming collection of colonial homes, cottages, churches, shops, taverns and coaching inns, all within a distance of about one kilometre.
As you drive through Mangalore and Bagdad, look out for the magnificent old homes by the side of the road – Marlbrook, Oakwood, Wybra Hall and Shene (seen in the distance with its gabled outbuildings and clocktower). All are testament to the wealth of early European settlers in the area, who experienced great prosperity from wheat-growing.
It’s worth making time to visit Chauncy Vale Wildlife Sanctuary near Mangalore, one of Tasmania’s oldest private conservation areas and a favourite haunt of bushwalkers, field naturalists and birdwatchers. It is only open on the first Saturday of each month from 2pm to 4pm, or by appointment. Alternatively, farther south at Bonorong Park near Brighton, you can watch Tasmanian devils, wombats, echidnas, quolls and a range of other native animals at close quarters.
After Mangalore, drive on to Pontville where you will see fine examples of colonial architecture including sandstone churches, a convict-built bridge, hotels, stately homes and workmen’s cottages. Cast your eyes beyond the roadside to the hills to see more classic Georgian homes. Take in the beautiful St Mark’s Church (1839), with its distinctive Romanesque architecture designed by convict architect James Blackburn. Then stroll through the old graveyard, with its stories of the suffering and success of early settlers.
Continue on to Hobart via Brighton.
Open