Historic coaching town on the Midland Highway originally known as Tunbridge Wells (after the famous English spa town), Tunbridge is a small town located 92 km from Launceston and 107 km from Hobart. It has been by-passed by the main Midland Highway and consequently has a quiet charm well removed from the urgency of the highway.
The town came into existence in 1809 and quickly developed into an important coaching stop between Hobart and Launceston. The area grew rapidly in the 1810s as convicts worked on the road from the north to the south of the island. In recent times the town has been by-passed which has meant that it has been able to maintain much of its historic charm. There are no antique or gift shops and no accommodation.
Things to see:
Historic Buildings
Tunbridge Manor is at the centre of town and dominates the townscape. Other buildings of importance include the Colonial Homestead was built in 1820, the Tunbridge Wells Inn (now closed down), The Victoria Inn (outside is a sandstone roller used to roll the roads by the convicts), the Coaching Stables (1843), The Blind Chapel (now the Masonic Hall and reputedly 'blind' - no windows - on one side so the parishioners didn't have to look at the local pub, and Bowerman's General Store (a handsome two-storey Georgian building with a five bay facade and slim columns)
Tunbridge Convict Bridge
Built in 1848 it is the oldest single span bridge in Australia. It spans the Blackman River at the northern end of the town. It is particularly important as it is a rare example of a sandstone bridge with timber decking.
Oatlands has a population of approximately 500, which is steadily growing. It is situated 115 Km South of Launceston and 83 Km North of Hobart.
Oatlands has a unique reputation for its historic buildings. It is said to be home to the most pre-1837 sandstone buildings in all of Australia. There is a collection of 138 sandstone buildings within Oatlands, of which 87 are situated on The Main Street.
The town has evening entertainment with Peter Fielding who operates the ghost tours around the town.
There are also some day-time walking tracks situated around the boundaries of Lake Dulverton. For the quiet type, fishing is permitted at the recently re-stocked Lake.
For a friendly atmosphere, The Kentish Hotel, every Sunday holds a music session which is open to everyone between 12 Noon and 3pm.
Oatlands has a growing number of antique and craft shops, where there is something of interest for everyone.
There is a local swimming pool, which has change room facilities, shaded areas, toddler's pool, diving board and Kiosk. The charge is $3 Adults and $1.50 for Children under 18. The Pool is available for after hours booking with a cost of $20 per hour. Open only during summer months, contact local council for details.
The Oatlands Golf Course at the North end of Oatlands is open to visitors on Saturdays.
Oatlands has the largest number of Georgian style buildings in Australia.
The Commissariat
There is some evidence to suggest this was built in 1828, making it the oldest building in town. A commissariat was a storeroom, and was of the highest importance for the settlement. In the early days of the colony food supplies were scarce and were kept under lock and key - secure from convicts and marauders.
some evidence to suggest this was built in 1828, making it the oldest building in town. A commissariat was a storeroom, and was of the highest importance for the settlement. In the early days of the colony food supplies were scarce and were kept under lock and key - secure from convicts and marauders.
Oatlands Gaol
The Gaol was built in 1835 and was the site of 17 executions.
The gaols most notorious prisoner was bushranger, Martin Cash - Who received a reprieve from the hangman's noose through a campaign by the Colony's women. Bushrangers at the time were in the habit of raping and beating the women they were stealing from. So the story goes, Cash would put a knife to their throats demand money, then release them immediately. It was these acts that won him favour in the eyes of the female colonists - and would repay him with his life.
Callington Mill
Callington Mill is unique.
It is the only eminently restorable tower mill left in Australia. A much loved rustic landmark, it is a towering symbol of colonial enterprise and local livelihood in generations past. For Oatlands it represents a once and future destiny.
This site is devoted to increasing awareness of the reconstruction program of this mill. It is an ongoing record of the progress including complications encountered and it is hoped this information may be of help to other mill restorers and mill lovers.
Oatlands Court House
The Oatlands Court House is one of the oldest buildings in Oatlands. Construction started in 1829 and the building was extended as new needs dictated.
The Court House located next to Lake Dulverton. One of the rooms in the building has been the site of an archaeology excavation finding evidence of a Tasmanian Aboriginals hunting ground.
This building is believed to be the cheapest work of its kind performed by any Government, it having been erected and covered in by two men (convicts) wearing their irons the whole time; and who would have otherwise been employed during those three or four months in breaking stones on the road.
Kempton is situated on the Midlands Highway to Launceston just 35 minutes from Hobart. It is now by-passed, but certainly not to be passed by. The sleepy village is surrounded by gently rolling hills, and with its classic Georgian buildings, historic churches and adjoining graveyards, it is easy to turn the clock back 150 years to the colonial convict days when Kempton was a strategic coaching depot one day out of Hobart. The first market place for stock and produce was established in 1828 and later a successful brewery and flour mill where established. Today Kempton welcomes the tourist and looks forward to providing service and warm hospitality.
What to See and Do:
Call at the Council Chambers and pick up a copy of 'Historic Township of Kempton' and wander through the historic town and identify the buildings and learn a little of their past and sometimes chequered history. Visit the graveyards and sense some of the earliest and sometimes violent history . Browse through craft shops, choose an antique from several locations, watch the art of egg carving or the skill of the cabinet-maker creating original furniture from native timbers. Take more time to enjoy a game dinner complemented with fine Tasmanian wine, a quality light lunch, or a choice of morning or afternoon teas in different historic premises. Stay at classic Georgian Coaching Inn and use it as as base to visit other historic towns.
The district was first named Jerusalem Plains. A tradition held that Jorge Jorgenson named it when a District Constable was searching for stock thieves.
However, the district was marked on Thomas Scott's chart of 1824 and was still named that in 1832.
By February 1834 it was called Colebrook Dale, although the use of both names continued for many years. In March 1894 the name Colebrook was officially gazetted.
It is thought that the Seven Hills surrounding the town gave the inspiration for the name Jerusalem. The railway station, which burned down in 1967 had a Star of David worked in the fretwork.
Historic Walks
The Colebrook Progress Association offers a chance to take a stroll through history and enjoy country hospitality on the 1st Sunday of each month (depending on numbers).
Walk through the village of Colebrook and visit the old Jerusalem Probation Station, St James' Anglican Church, with it's beautiful stain glass window, and St Patrick's Catholic Church designed by Augustus Welby Pugin.
For further information and bookings please contact Gail on PH: 659 7263
Bagdad is small rural community of approximately 650 residents. Bagdad is 40km north of Hobart on the Midlands Highway.
Bagdad boasts a modern well-equipped Community Club with a Golf Course, Sporting Oval and Hall.
Sporting achievements in Bagdad
Although our community is a small rural community, we produce many talented athletes which represent our state as well as the community in their chosen fields. Athletics, softball, marching are just to name a few. The community pulls behind these sports persons in fundraising to help send them to other parts of the country to represent us.
The farmlands of the Campania District are rich and diverse and the occupants have largely been farming these lands for generations. This is evidenced by the great success of the local vineyards within the valley, making it one of the most important regions for wine production within Tasmania.
The small township of Campania contains several notable examples of colonial architecture and the Flour Mill Park with it's bronze sculpture is a nice place to stop for a rest, picinc, bbq or just relax. There are BBQ huts and large areas of open space to spread out and relax, making it a popular spot with travellers looking to break the journey from the Midlands Highway to Richmond.
Some historical facts about Campania
Francis Smith purchased land on the Coal River in 1829, and named his property Campania Estate. The completion of the Tasmanian Mainline Railway in 1876 saw the construction of a railway station on part of the Campania Estate. Around the railway station a township rapidly grew, including several stores, a hotel, flour mill, church, school and sale yards. Campania was proclaimed a township in 1882.
Grapevines were first cultivated by George Weston Gunning at Campania in 1825, a cask of wine being produced the following year. Gunning also pioneered the cultivation of hops at Campania, a crop essential for the development of the brewing industry in Tasmania.
Campania Estate was the childhood home of Sir Francis Villeneuve Smith, Chief Justice and Premier of Tasmania. The property passed from the Smith family to Bassett Dickson of Richmond in 1868.
James Brock purchased the Campania Estate from Bassett Dickson's widow in 1873. In 1882 H.J. Brock, his brother William Brock and several other shareholders registered the Campania Gold Mining Company. H.J. Brock invested 5,000 in the unsuccessful venture.
In 1920, Campania Estate was subdivided into twenty-six lots for soldier settlement.
Buildings
The Old Flour Mill (1884) was designed by William Greenlaw for his cousin H.J. Brock. The two-story mill and storage was built adjacent to the railway. Wheat grown on the Campania Estate and flour ground in the mill won a gold medal at the Centennial Exhibition in Melbourne in 1888.
The General Store (1879) was built by J.W. Nichols of Richmond. Subsequent storekeepers included P.J. Nichols, Robert Spencer, John Nichols, Arthur Nichols and Thomas Bidgood.
The Campania Tavern (1877) was first licensed to John White. White was the first stationmaster at Campania, and prior to the opening of the Campania Hotel had run a refreshment bar at the railway station.
St. George's Church (1894) was built and furnished at a cost of 450. Mr. and Mrs. H.J. Brock donated 300 towards the completion of the church.
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