Touring the Southern Midlands and Heritage Highway Region
Slow down and discover the Southern Midlands and Heritage Highway, where wide-open skies, rolling hills and historic country towns create one of Tasmania’s most memorable touring landscapes.
This is classic Midland's country — a patchwork of green and golden hills, rich farmland and winding streams, dotted with sheep renowned for their superfine wool, grazing cattle and fields of vibrant poppies. Hawthorn hedges line country roads, while distant mountain ranges frame the horizon, often dusted with snow during the winter months.
Scattered throughout the region are historic villages and townships, each with its own stories to tell. Along the Heritage Highway, colourful metal sculptures bring the past to life, depicting the bushrangers, convicts and colonial settlers who shaped the character of this historic route. Keep an eye out as you travel — you never know when you might encounter a highwayman!
The original Heritage Highway was built using convict labour, creating an important link between Tasmania’s northern and southern settlements. Today, the journey between Launceston and Hobart takes around two and a half hours, but the real pleasure is in taking your time.
Step off the highway and explore the quieter country roads, discover villages tucked away from the main route, visit historic buildings and local attractions, or simply stop and enjoy the scenery. With a range of places to stay, there are plenty of opportunities to turn a journey into a longer Tasmanian adventure.
Take the Heritage Highway. Explore the history. Discover the countryside. And make the journey part of your Tasmanian story.
