Ross & Oatlands, Two historic well preserved garrison towns of Tasmania - Anne O’Connor.
A brief soujourn into Ross and Oatlands. Two little detours around the Midlands or Heritage Highway in Tasmania and venturing back 200+ years into the past to look at two of the best preserved garrison towns in Tasmania.
Ross & Oatlands, Two historic well preserved garrison towns of Tasmania - Anne O’Connor. belongs to the following groups:
Australian Travel Photography and Writing - 1 per 24hrsFirstly, what is a garrison town?
From definition it is a town with a military barracks which has within a permanent military presence. In Governor Macquarie’s years as Governor of Tasmania, many towns fitted this description, being a settlement of military personnel, free citizens and convicts. Most development was carried out by convicts and Tasmania owes much to their skills. Many buildings and bridges built in that era still exist 200+ years later.
Along the midlands highway linking Launceston to Hobart were four of these towns, Campbell Town, Ross, Oatlands and Richmond.
Two of these perhaps are more preserved as garrison towns than others. Ross and Oatlands are slightly off the midland highway so if time is an issue and you want to travel back 200+ years, I would recommend picking these two and paying them a visit.
The first one you come to from Launceston is the small township of Ross. (80 km from Launceston or 120 km from Hobart). The turnoff is via the Midland or Heritage Highway and one can exit or enter from either the Northern or Southern end, hence there is no need to backtrack at any time.
Ross has a large collection of sandstone Georgian style buildings and is very much linked to the wool industry. Now it is mainly tourism with B&B’s & craft shops, including a wonderful Tasmanian Wool Centre that houses a museum and acts as an information centre.
Ross also housed one of the very few female convict prisons in Tasmania, known as the female factory. One of the buildings still stand today and more recently it has undergone an archaeological dig, with lots of bits and pieces found on the site.
High on the hill is the Uniting Church, known for its blackwood pews and carved baptismal font.
Below is the Macquarie River, named by Governor Macquarie in 1811.
Spanning the river is the Ross Bridge, third oldest bridge in Australia.
A must stop in Ross, is the Ross Bakery Inn.
Originally the Sherwood Castle Inn, it was built in 1832. Today the name is taken from the original Ross Bakery that stood alongside the inn for over 100 years.
Inside, the bakery’s wood-fired oven is original and their homemade soup and sough dough bread is worth stopping for.
Alternately, should you wish to stay a night, their accommodation is highly recommended.
Autumn is possibly the most picturesque time to visit Ross with the Golden Ash in full glory.
A must stop-over. Why would you not want to say that you have driven over the third oldest bridge in Australia?
About twenty minutes travelling from Ross is Oatlands. Again you need to turn off the midlands highway to experience the beauty of another bygone era, but it is well worth the stop. Sandstone buildings again, but there is a different look to the town than the other places previously visited and, like Ross you do not need to backtrack at all as there is both a northern and southern entry to the town. .
Above the town on the hill is another picnic spot, the Lake Dulverton wildlife sanctuary. A must stop for nature lovers.
Near here is the well known Callington Flour Mill, unique to Oatlands and built in 1837.
Interestingly, like the Ross Bridge, it is also the third oldest of its kind in Australia and only one of four remaining today.
Another feature of Oatlands, is the Casaveen Knitwear Cafe.
More information
The Oatlands shop is aligned with the wool centre at Ross and is a great spot for a break and a look at all the local Tasmanian gifts. Here you can watch the craftspeople in action creating the knitwear, while you sample the gourmet delights of the pantry in style.
From Ross, you can head onto Hobart via the Midland or Heritage Highway or return to Launceston as your base. Alternately stop in Oatlands for a night at one of the many places available and continue your journey elsewhere in Tasmania the next day.
Information regarding accommodation & other options available here
On your return home, you can say you have visited two of the best preserved historic garrison towns in Tasmania and don’t forget to tell your friends.
Anne – 29th May 2009
Globalphotos
What an interesting place to visit, the architecture is so beautiful, great read, will have to plan a return trip to Tassie soon :-)
Anne O'Connor replied
Apologies, I am a bit late replying. Thanks so much for your input. Hope you get back to Tassie soon.
LeanneNelson
I hadn’t heard of garrison towns before. Ross & Oatlands both look and sound to be very interesting places to visit. And like the rest of Tassie, beautiful too.
Anne O'Connor replied
Thanks Leanne, appreciate your feedback. Sorry I am a bit late on responding.
Marilyn Harris
I’m definitely adding Ross and Oatlands on my “must see” list when I go back to Tassie! Thanks for painting such a beautiful picture! :o)
Anne O'Connor replied
Thanks Marilyn, Lets hope you get back again sometime soon.
EarthGipsy
You have superbly sung the praised of both beautiful villages Anne ~ Hail Tassie!!
Anne O'Connor replied
Thankyou very much for your feedback even if I am a bit late in replying.
Andy Smylie
Nice write up Anne. Wish I was back there.
Anne O'Connor replied
Thanks Andy, there will always be a bed here anytime. Try again some day after Apscon.