History
Welcome to the Southern Midlands, a region where Tasmania’s rich history, rural character and spectacular landscapes come together.
The Southern Midlands Council was established on 2 April 1993, following the amalgamation of the Municipalities of Oatlands and Green Ponds, together with the northern wards of the Municipalities of Brighton and Richmond. Covering approximately 2,561 square kilometres, the municipality stretches across a diverse landscape of historic towns, villages, farmland and wide-open countryside.
Home to around 6,700 people and approximately 4,200 rateable properties, the Southern Midlands has long been shaped by its strong rural economy. The region is internationally recognised for producing some of the world’s finest superfine wool, while tourism continues to play an increasingly important role in the local economy.
The Southern Midlands is made up of a collection of towns and localities, each with its own character and story.
The municipality includes Mangalore, Bagdad, Broadmarsh, Elderslie, Dysart, Kempton, Melton Mowbray, Mount Seymour, Oatlands, Tunbridge, Tunnack, Parattah, Woodsdale, Levendale, Runnymede, Colebrook, Campania and Rekuna.
The Midland Highway, also known as the Heritage Highway, passes through the heart of the region, linking the Southern Midlands and Tasmania’s major centres.
Step Back in Time
History is everywhere in the Southern Midlands.
The region was one of the earliest areas of Tasmania to be settled beyond Hobart, and its towns, villages and rural landscapes are home to an extraordinary collection of historic buildings and places.
From grand Georgian homesteads built using convict labour to simple workers’ cottages, the region offers a remarkable glimpse into Tasmania’s colonial past. Many historic properties have survived for generations, surrounded by landscapes that have changed remarkably little over more than 150 years.
Some of the region’s earliest homesteads feature distinctive fort-like architectural elements, reflecting the challenges and uncertainties faced by early settlers. These included conflict during the period commonly referred to as the Black War in the 1820s, as well as the threat of bushrangers in later decades.
Journey Through the Heritage Landscape
One of the best ways to experience the Southern Midlands is to take the road less travelled.
Wander along country roads and discover historic homesteads, stone buildings, old cottages, grand estates and working rural properties set against the backdrop of Tasmania’s distinctive Midlands landscape.
Across the municipality, heritage landscapes, historic buildings and sweeping rural vistas create an extraordinary sense of connection with the past. In many places, the scenery looks remarkably similar to the landscapes experienced by generations of Tasmanians more than a century ago.
Whether you are travelling the Heritage Highway, exploring one of our historic towns or taking a scenic detour along a country road, the Southern Midlands invites you to slow down, explore and discover a region where history remains part of everyday life.
Historic towns. Open landscapes. Remarkable architecture. Rural traditions.
Discover the Southern Midlands — Part of Tasmania’s Heritage Heart.
