Heritage towns along the Midlands corridor

Georgian Villages Drive

A practical guide to driving the Georgian villages of Tasmania’s Midlands, focusing on Ross, Campbell Town, Longford and Oatlands. Advice covers how to choose a realistic pace, what heritage and landscape features to expect, driving and parking safety, how to check heritage status and opening hours, seasonal activities and where to get local information.

By Our Tasmania Editorial

Salamanca Place. In the 1830s as trade opened up in VDL the wharves were on Hunter Island, now Hunter Street. But the waters were more sheltered on the Salamanca side of the harbour so convicts were employed to mine the steep hill side, create a quarry, and built a new shore line so that deep sea facilities for ships could be provided near Salamanca. John Lee Archer was involved in this 1827 plan to re-shape Sullivans Cove which included building up soil in front of the Customs House. In the 1840s the dock facilities moved to Salamanca Place and the large warehouses were built. The apple industry used the sheds right on the wharves in the 20th century. By the 1970s the area was derelict so the Tas. government bought seven warehouses to create an arts centre in 1976. Soon the other warehouses were privately renovated into upmarket galleries, shops and cafes. American Rebel Memorial in Princess Park. In 1839 a number of convicts (around 160) were transported from Canada to Tasmania because they had taken part in a rebellious movement against the British Crown. They were American patriots who had crossed into Canada, but some were French prisoners from French Canada. They had an uprising, were eventually arrested and shipped to Australia but only the American rebels were offloaded in Hobart. (The French rebels were offloaded in Sydney.) They were given hard labour at Port Arthur. The society they belonged to- the Hunters Lodge - had about 20,000 members who urged the Canadians to fight the British. Seven uprisings occurred. Queen Victoria pardoned the Americans between 1844-48. Only a few stayed on in Australia. None stayed in Tasmania. Most returned to the USA. Battery Point, Arthurs Circus, and the Lena House Hotel. Originally guns guarded the harbour from the point, hence the name Battery. Wealthy merchants chose to live there by the 1850s with Alexander McGregor being a good example. He arrived in Hobart from Scotland in 1831.He built up a large whaling fleet and bought Lenna House site from a ship’s captain once he was wealthy. He built this grand house around 1860 with a roof top tower for watching his sailing ships come up the Derwent estuary. It is now a fine hotel, so you can walk in side and look around. Despite two marriages he had no children. Opposite the Lenna is a fine example of a wooden fancy gabled Tudor Gothic style house in Runnymede Street. At the top of Runnymede St is Arthur’s Circus- named after the Governor with its quaint cottages and large horse Chesnuts in the middle of the circus. Is this really Australia? Although in England by the time of its development, Arthur owned this land at Battery Point and sold it off for housing in 1847. The blocks around the circus were all narrow frontage, suitable for workers’ cottages. The cottages were all built around 1850. Battery Point was home to master mariners, shipwrights, seamen, fishermen, shipping agents shipbuilders and as wealthy merchants. St Georges Anglican Church. The story of St George’s begins in 1836 with services commencing in 1838. The church was consecrated by Bishop W. G. Broughton, the first and only Bishop of Australia. St George's was designed in the Neo-Classical style then current in London. The only other examples of this style of church left in Australia are one in Richmond and one in Sydney. The Government architect, John Lee Archer, designed the body of the building; the tower and porch were designed by convict architect, James Blackburn. The church has an unusual layout, with two side aisles instead of a single central aisle. It still has its original cedar box pews. The Government agreed to grant convict labour, stone and timber for the church tower. Lime, lead and glass had to be provided by the church members. By 1847 the tower was finally completed, but the porch and the rooms at the basement of the tower were left unfinished. St George’s porch was not added until 1888. The stone for its fine fluted Grecian columns was quarried at Bellerive. James Blackburn (1803–1854), was a civil engineer, surveyor and architect who had been transported for forgery in 1833. He was pardoned in 1841, but continued in private practice as an architect until 1849. His work included: St Mark's Anglican Church at Pontville (Romanesque), the Lady Franklin Museum (Grecian) and The Grange at Campbell Town (Tudor). Narryna House. Narryna was built as a grand Georgian style house in 1836, one of the first on the hill at Battery Point for Captain Haig. He had built a warehouse down in Salamanca Place in 1833 and lived in that with his family whilst the house was completed. He sold it in 1842 and the property then had many different owners. It is a fine box like, very symmetrical simple Georgian house of grand proportions and constructed with first class quality sandstone. One long time resident was an early mayor of Hobart and a MP. The government bought the house as a TB hospital in 1946. It was established as Australia’s first heritage house museum in 1955. St David’s Park. This was originally the first Hobart graveyard, right opposite the first hospital on the corner of Salamanca Place and Davey Street. Was this a coincidence or expeditious planning? In 1926 the graveyard was converted into this park. In the centre is a fine memorial to Lieutenant Governor Collins. Some of the old headstones are now on the wall behind the Tasmanian Supreme Court. Collins you will remember was the first Lieutenant Governor of VDL and found a new mistress among the Norfolk Islanders, 16 year old Margaret Eddington. In Sydney he had had two children with Ann Yeates in the 1790s. His wife always remained in England. He had two illegitimate children with young Margaret Eddington before he died in 1810. His morals and administration were heavily criticised by the NSW Governor William Bligh.denisbin, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

Plan a realistic pace

Tasmania’s Midlands contain several towns where Georgian-era streetscapes are concentrated. Ross, Campbell Town, Longford and Oatlands are close enough to link by road, but each town rewards time on foot and a visit to local museums or reserves. Allow two or three towns per day rather than attempting all four in a single day. That pace gives time for wandering streets, a museum stop, and an unhurried meal.

What to look for in each village

These villages grew from different functions: road and river crossings, inns and mills, churches and administrative buildings, plus convict-built infrastructure. Look for stonework and bridges but treat similar materials as clues rather than identical stories. Reading plaque text, museum displays and information at visitor centres will help you understand each place’s specific history.

Driving and parking: safety and manners

Drive the current road network and use designated exits and parking areas. Do not stop on highway shoulders to take photos or to walk across fast roads. Several towns are located directly beside major routes and drivers share narrow streets with local traffic. Treat built heritage as part of a working town: avoid blocking driveways and public thoroughfares.

Heritage checks and permissions before you go

If you want to confirm the formal heritage status of a particular building or site, use the state heritage search tools or check with the relevant council planning authority. A formal Certificate for Affected Place is an option for people who need official documentation; a fee applies for that service. If you plan to visit heritage properties with specific opening hours, check those hours in advance since they vary and can change seasonally.

Visitor information and event timetables

There are Visitor Information Centres serving the Northern Midlands where local staff can advise on walking routes, museum opening times and upcoming events. The Heritage Highway region runs a calendar of markets, festivals and exhibitions that changes through the year, so check local event listings before you travel if you want to coincide your trip with a market or a community festival.

Seasonal activities and conditions

The Midland landscape offers different activities at different times. Walking, cycling, market visits and trout fishing are commonly available. Higher country such as Ben Lomond provides alpine walking and seasonal downhill skiing, but that depends on conditions and time of year. Expect light, colour and visibility to vary through the day and across seasons; night skies in rural areas can be clear and dark.

Suitability for visitors

These villages are suited to people who can manage short walks on footpaths, modest gradients and uneven surfaces in historic streets. Museums and small galleries typically have limited staffing, so allow flexibility for opening hours. Because these are lived-in communities, travellers should be prepared to encounter everyday activity such as delivery vehicles and local traffic while walking historic streets.

Respectful behaviour and local conditions

Many heritage streetscapes include private houses and active businesses. Observe signs, keep to public footpaths, and avoid photographing people on private property without permission. Follow any site-specific instructions at museums, churches or reserves. If you are planning to use a picnic area, reserve or playground, check the local council facilities note for access and any seasonal limitations.

Sample day structure

A practical day might begin at one village with a short walking tour and a museum visit, followed by lunch in a café or pub, then a quieter afternoon at a reserve or historic bridge. Allow time for travel between towns and for any stalls or markets you want to visit. If you are basing yourself in the region for more than one day, local visitor centres can suggest multi-day itineraries and accommodation options ranging from B&Bs to historic inns.

Final checks before you depart

Before leaving, confirm museum and attraction opening times, check local event calendars if you plan to visit for a market or festival, and consult heritage search tools or council planning contacts if you need formal confirmation of a place’s heritage status. Use designated parking areas at each town and avoid stopping on highway shoulders. These checks will help keep your visit safe and respectful of communities that still live and work in these historic villages.

Sources and further reading

Archived topic reference: Georgian Villages Drive · Internet Archive
Heritage Highway · Northern Midlands Council
Southern Midlands Council · Southern Midlands Council
Search the Tasmanian Heritage Register · Heritage Tasmania

Before you go

Practical information

Check opening hours: Confirm museum and heritage-site opening hours before visiting; hours change seasonally
Parking and stopping: Use designated exits and parking areas; do not stop on highway shoulders for photos or to walk across fast roads
Heritage status: Search the Tasmanian Heritage Register or consult the local council planning scheme; a formal certificate is available for a fee
Visitor information: Contact local Visitor Information Centres in the Northern Midlands for current event calendars and route advice
Seasonal conditions: Expect seasonal variation in activities and weather; alpine snow and skiing are seasonal and depend on conditions
Respect local residents: Many heritage streets are in active communities; keep to public paths and respect private property

Keep exploring

Place

Georgian Villages Drive

Plan a realistic pace

What to look for in each village

Driving and parking: safety and manners

Heritage checks and permissions before you go

Visitor information and event timetables

Seasonal activities and conditions

Suitability for visitors

Respectful behaviour and local conditions

Sample day structure

Final checks before you depart

Sources and further reading

Practical information

Ross, Tasmania

Campbell Town, Tasmania

Longford

Oatlands, Tasmania

Plan a realistic pace

What to look for in each village

Driving and parking: safety and manners

Heritage checks and permissions before you go

Visitor information and event timetables

Seasonal activities and conditions

Suitability for visitors

Respectful behaviour and local conditions

Sample day structure

Final checks before you depart

Sources and further reading

Practical information

Related places and stories

Ross, Tasmania

Campbell Town, Tasmania

Longford

Oatlands, Tasmania