'A Cheapskate's Guide to Exploring Tasmania By Car'
is a guide to travel, sightseeing and services that looks at what to do, where to stay, a little history of Tasmanian cities and towns, photos, drive through town videos, attractions, amenities and dump points and maps.
Franklin is a small township on the western side of the Huon River in
the south-east of Tasmania, between Huonville and Geeveston with a
population of 1,301.
Named after Sir John Franklin, Lieut-Governor of Van Diemen's Land in 1837-1843, and his wife Lady Jane Franklin, who subdivided a large property there to settle families of modest means, Franklin offers a post office and ATM, organic food and products, catering, motor mechanic, IT services, general practitioner service, canvas new and repairs, a primary school, aged care facility with respite and so much more.
The township has a pet friendly camp ground and off-leash play area for dogs on the foreshore, and is known as a dog friendly town.
Franklin Camping Ground Huon Hwy, Franklin
-43.092964 147.009204
hvc@huonvalley.tas.gov.au Website
Low cost camp ground for self-contained RV's on the Huon River
(Six nights maximum stay). Camping in tents is not permitted and dogs
allowed on leash.
Fees are $10/night, 4th night free for a maximum stay 4 nights.
Nearby facilities include toilets, drinking water, BBQ, playground and dump point (opposite the toilet block).
No fires on the ground. Firepots with legs or on a stand only. No noise after 8pm, including music and generators.
The Wooden Boat Centre
3333 Huon Hwy, Franklin TAS 7113
(03) 6266 3586 Website
Learn tall tales and true from our volunteer guides about the
precious boat building timbers that are found exclusively in Tasmania,
and tour an area of the interpretive area and workshop where boats that
are currently under construction and restoration can be seen.
Take a 45-minute guided tour through the historical area and into the secure workshop area to learn about the rich history of Australia's premier wooden boat facility and Franklin's maritime heritage.
The track had a 7km layout included a 300km/h straight, a railway viaduct, two wooden bridges, and part of downtown Longford itself.
Although the track hosted its first race in 1953, it was Stan Jones' victory in the 1958 Gold Star Meeting in his 250F Maserati over Len Lukey in his Cooper Climax that truly made the track famous in motor racing.
A veritable "who's who" of 1960s Grand Prix racing competed at Longford. In addition to Bruce McLaren and Chris Amon, the list has World Champions Jack Brabham, Jim Clark, Graham Hill, Phil Hill, Denny Hulme, and Jackie Stewart.
The track was also home to Australian touring car and open-wheel racers Bib Stillwell, Lex Davison, Leo Geoghegan, Frank Matich, Frank Gardner, Spencer Martin, Kevin Bartlett, Ian Geoghegan, Norm Beechey, Bob Jane, and Allan Moffat.
John Youl, a Tasmanian, was one of Australia's top drivers in the 1960s.
Originally called Latour, Longford grew up around the Longford Hotel which was
built in 1827 by Newman Williatt and in 1833 the town was renamed.
Situated 21 km south of Launceston and 187 km north of Hobart, the town has a population of 4,268 (2021 census)
and is predominantly agricultural - noted for wool, dairy produce and
stock breeding.
Situated on the banks of the picturesque Macquarie River, the
Longford Riverside Caravan Park is a short 20-minute drive from
Launceston and ten minutes from the airport.
It is within walking distance of public transport, shops and
chemist. Longford has a brand NEW SUPA IGA store, a licensed bakery,
three hotels, three cafes, and two a la carte restaurants. The caravan
park is a wonderful base for day trips to the Northern region, Tamar
Valley, and some of Tasmania's best cool climate wineries.
The park has 60 powered sites (all with sullage and water)
and 50 unpowered sites - some on the riverbank. On-site accommodation is
also available. There are two amenities blocks; one with separate
disabled facilities. There is a well-equipped laundry, a combined camp
kitchen and a spacious undercover barbecue area.
Tourist Information Centre At JJ's Bakery, 52 Wellington Street, Longford - ph (03) 6397 7303
Toilet Facilities
Lyttleton Street, Longford - Open 24 hours
Doctor/Medical Centre Longford Medical Centre, Cnr Smith & George Sts, Longford - ph.(03) 6391 1626
Police Station 31 George Street, Longford - non-emergency ph. 131 444
One of Tasmania’s World Heritage Convict Sites, Brickendon Historic Farm and Convict Village was built by William Archer in 1824 - the village is still owned by his descendants.
The complex affords a rare chance to see a Georgian
homestead, convict-built Gothic chapel, Dutch barns, chicken house,
blacksmith shop and tool shed and stay in historic farm cottages.
There is also a four hectare (10 acre) historic garden for you to explore.
Woolmers Estate 658 Woolmers Lane, Longford
One of the highlights of any visit to Longford should be a visit to the remarkable Woolmers Estate, because it offers a unique opportunity to see how the wealthy landowners lived.
Christ Church (1839) Situated right in the centre of town, Christ Church is sandstone, with square tower, lancet windows and buttresses, in the Old Colonial Gothic Picturesque style.
Places of worship had been established very early in the century at Woolmers
and elsewhere but the first actually in the township was in about 1826
and it was situated immediately behind the present beautiful building.
In 1829 a new church was built on the site of the present
church, however, its foundations were faulty and the present building
was erected in 1839.
The bell and clock of the present church were transferred
from the earlier churches, and carry an inscription suggesting that they
were donated in 1824 by King George IV.
Queen’s Arms Hotel (1835) 69 Wellington Street, Longford
A double story brick and stuccoed building in the Old
Colonial Georgian style, was run by James Johnstone in 1840 and a little
later by Samuel Cox.
This may have started as the King’s Arms which was operating in 1835, with a name change some time after Victoria became Queen in 1837.
The King’s Arms, run by Mrs Marriot in 1835, was offered for sale in 1838.
Blenheim Hotel (1846) 16 Marlborough Street, Longford
A two story Georgian brick and stuccoed building, built by William Dodery, who had previously owned the Mitre on the site of the original Brown’s Store.
The Railway came through Longford in 1871 and the landlord
at the time cornered the railway market by having a vehicle meet every
train and offer free transport to his inn, even though it was further
away than most other inns.
Tattersalls Hotel (now Longford Library)
A two store red brick corner building with neoclassic moulded surrounds to doorways.
The building was originally the Market Square Inn and later Tattersalls Hotel, run by Edward Hicks.
Racecourse Hotel (1840s) 114 Marlborough Street, Longford
This two story brick Georgian inn was originally intended to
be the Longford Railway Station when the line was planned to run
through Longford and Cressy, and then northwards.
Throughout its history the building has served as a public house and an old people’s home.
During its days as a public house, a rather gruesome murder took place in the bar.
A woman was murdered and butchered after stealing and swallowing two gold sovereigns belonging to some farm hands.
The men were subsequently hanged at Gibbet Hill, Perth.
Longford Town Hall (1880) Wellington St, Longford
Elizabeth Noake built the assembly rooms adjacent to the Queens Arms Hotel, which she also owned, prior to her death in 1885.
The assembly rooms were built to take the place of the Tivoli Theatre that had been destroyed by fire.
As farmers were moved from Norfolk Island they began to settle in Tasmania in 1807.
Governor Macquarie granted land rights to the settlers, who originally called the area Norfolk Plains.
Originally called Latour, the town grew up around the Longford Hotel which was built in 1827 by Newman Williatt and in 1833 the town was renamed Longford.
Settlers used free convict labour to build their fine houses and estates.
The Archer family
The Archer family was prominent among the early settlers, building a number of grand houses and estates in the area.
Thomas Archer emigrated from England to Australia
in 1811 and retired from government service in 1821 to develop his
2,000 acre (809 ha) estate.
By 1825 he held 6,000 acres (2428 ha) in the area
and his success persuaded his brother Joseph, then his brothers Willam
and Edward and their father, to join him.
Together they farmed and developed the land and
built a number of homesteads, claimed to be among the finest in northern
Tasmania:.
They were Woolmers Estate, Brickendon Estate (both on the Australian National Heritage List), Panshanger, Northbury, Fairfield, Cheshunt, Woodside, Palmerston and Saundridge.
Six generations of Archers have lived in
Woolmers, from 1817 to 1994, though it is now owned by the Woolmers
Foundation Inc. and is open to the public.
As well as being a beautiful historic town, from
1953 to 1968 Longford has hosted two Australian Grand Prix, several
Tasman Cup races and touring car and motorcycle championships were
organised on the 4.5 miles (7.2 km) Longford Circuit.
Formula 1
Jack Brabham and Stirling Moss raced this circuit during that period and was the first F1 driver to use a rear-engine car.
A description of Longford c 1852
Drawn from The History of Tasmania - Volume II (of 2) by John West.
Longford [is] a town prettily situated at the
junction of the rivers Lake and South Esk, in the parish of Longford and
county of Westmoreland, 115 miles (185 km) from Hobart, and 14 (22.5
km) from Launceston.
The population of the town and district is 3,829, and the number of houses 595, half of which are of stone or brick.
It has a resident police magistrate, (who is also deputy
chairman of quarter sessions and the court of requests,) a postmaster,
and other officers.
It contains a neat episcopal church, built in the Gothic style,
several schools, a Wesleyan chapel, a court house and gaol, several
large inns, a brewery, a mill, and many substantial buildings.
Longford is also an electoral district, for which Joseph Archer, Esq., is the first member.
Christ Church and the Pioneer Cemetery Covering two full blocks in northern Longford this
complex is bordered by Archer, George, and Williams Streets and
Wellington Street.
The cemetery includes many prominent local families including the Archer, Brumby and Reiby families.
One of the most interesting vaults is that of James Brumby, who died in 1838, and his family.
It is claimed that brumbies (wild horses) gained their name after this pioneer family.
James Brumby was a private in the New South Wales
Corps at least as early as 1794, when he held 25 acres (10 ha) at
Hunter's Hill.
This grant was later cancelled and in 1797 he was granted 100 acres (40 ha) at Mulgrave Place.
While still serving in the corps he grazed stock on this land and on government land as well.
According to family tradition he left horses that he was unable to muster or dispose of when he sailed for Van Diemen's Land.
These were known as Brumby's horses and later as
'brumbies', hence the name for wild horses - though others have
suggested that the word was of much later origin.
Brady (1799 – 4 May 1826) was a notorious bushranger in Van Diemen's Land (now known as Tasmania) in the early 19th century.
He was sometimes known as the "Gentleman Bushranger" due to his good treatment and fine manners when robbing his victims.
Brady considered himself a gentleman, who never robbed or insulted women. The military considered him a dangerous bushranger.
Brady's gang held up Sorell and captured the
local garrison (in which the garrison commander, Lieut. William Gunn was
shot in the arm, which was subsequently amputated).
Lieut. Governor Arthur posted rewards for the capture of Brady and his gang.
In return, Brady posted a reward of "Twenty gallons of rum" to any person who would deliver Governor Arthur to him.
Sorell
Sorell is located on the Tasman Highway at the junction with the Arthur Highway and is one of Tasmania's oldest towns, being first settled in 1808 as a small farming community and becoming an official township in 1821.
The town features a broad range of shops and services as well as a large self-contained RV campsite.
Rest Area for self-contained caravans and motorhomes in Montagu Street, Sorell.
A permit fee is payable and there is a maximum 10 night stay.
Permits available from the pay station on site or Council office at 47 Cole Street (Mon - Fri 8AM to 4:45 PM)
One to four nights $7.50 night - Up to five nights $26.00. Camping, campfires and dumping rubbish is prohibited.
There
are a number of interesting heritage walks in Sorell and many old
buildings from the colonial period have been preserved to the present
day. These include:
The Barracks - Built 1827, St Georges Church - Built in 1828 - Rebuilt 1884, The old Post Office - Built 1840, Pembroke Inn - Built in the 1840s, Scots Uniting Church - Built 1842, The Gordon Highlander Hotel - Opened 1844, Police Magistrates House - Built 1848, St Thomas Catholic Church - Built 1864, Pelham House (Originally a Maternity hospital and Doctors Surgery) - Built 1864, Sorell Antiques Centre (Originally a Library) - Built in 1861, Railway House/Terminal - Railway opened 1892
Sorell Fruit Farm sells many Tasmanian fruit products. Some are made by Sorell Fruit Farm and others are made by other
Tasmanian producers. Jams, honeys, vinegars, fruit liqueurs and chutney
are included.
Geeveston is a small town in the south of Tasmania in Australia, on the Huon Highway, near the Huon River, 62 km (39 mi) south-west of Hobart, making it Australia's most southerly administrative centre.
It is the heart of Tasmania's apple and fruit-growing sector, and has been heavily dependent on the timber industry since the late nineteenth century. In 1962, a pulp mill was established in the town, and it remained Geeveston's largest employer until the plant closed, which devastated the local economy. As a result, the town decided to (successfully) reposition itself as a tourist attraction. The town takes its name from William Geeves, an English settler who was given a land grant by Lady Jane Franklin in the area then known as Lightwood Bottom (after a type of timber prevalent in the area).
Wooden Statues
Geeveston’s original wooden statues were carved by Bernie Tarr and another artist. There are seven of Tarr’s pieces in various places around the main part of the town, plus a number of others by unknown artists.
“The Pioneers” (heritage couple): in front of the Geeveston Bakery
Bill Trevaskis (chemist): beside the Geeveston Pharmacy
Oswald Kyle (doctor): in front of the Geeveston Library
Jim Wotherspoon (police officer): beside the Geeveston Visitor Centre
Jessica Hannabury (milliner): beside the Geeveston Visitor Centre
Simon Burgess (rower): just up from the Bendigo Bank
Jim Hinchey (blacksmith): opposite The Aurora Fae Studio Gallery
John Geeves (founding father) and a fruit picker: opposite Cambridge House
A wood cutter: inside the front door of the Geeveston Visitor Centre
The Loony Toons character “Tassie Devil”: garden of private house, Glen Huon Rd Judbury
The Geeveston Ex-Servicemen's & Women's Club Camping
11 Memorial Dr, Geeveston TAS 7116
(03) 6297 1105
-43.168251 146.927366
The club has an RV friendly camp ground for self-contained
campers only. Camping in vans, camper trailers, Roof-top tents and
freestanding tents is not permitted.
$10 per night, stay 3 nights and get the 4th free!
Meals are on offer Friday and Saturday from 5pm until 8pm. Firewood also available at $10 a wheelbarrow load between 4.30-5.30pm
Facilities include toilets, drinking water and picnic tables. Dogs are permitted but must be kept on a lead and picked up after.
The Geeveston Visitor Centre (Forest & Heritage Centre)
The amazing Forest & Heritage Centre (Geeveston Visitor Centre) at the end of the main street features an impressive display detailing the history of the local timber industry. In addition, it serves as the town's visitor centre and is frequently manned by locals known as "Green Jackets," who are delighted to provide recommendations for local attractions and narrate tales about the town's past.
The Tahune AirWalk
Arve Rd, Geeveston Closes 4PM Ph: 1300 720 507
Walk 20–48 metres above the ground through stands of Huon Pine, Myrtle, Leatherwood, Stringybark, Sassafras and Blackwood.
There are a total of three walks which can take up to 2.5 hours to complete.
For more information, pricing and opening hours check out Website
Geeveston Platypus Walk
Adjacent to Heritage Park, the Geeveston Platypus Walk stretches alongside the Kermandie River.
The stroll descends to the water's edge through Heritage Park, beginning at the Visitor Centre.
You can follow the riverbank in any direction from here, but if you go left and pass the Forest Workers memorial, you will find a wooden viewing platform with a view of a serene stretch of the river.
Hartz Mountains National Park
Tasmanian pademelons inhabit the park
Situated in southern Tasmania, the Hartz Mountains National Park is one of the 19 Tasmanian National Parks.
It was recognised for its natural and cultural values in 1989 when it was added to the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area.
The park was named after the German Harz mountain range.
Bennett's wallabies, Tasmanian pademelons, brushtail possums, echidnas, and platypus are among the park's nocturnal creatures.
One remarkable amphibian found in the Hartz Mountains in 1992 is the moss froglet.
Several honeyeaters, the eastern spinebill, the green rosella, and the forest raven are among the frequent avian inhabitants of the park.
Geeveston Twilight Feast On the first Thursday of each month from 5pm the Geeveston Community gets together to cook and eat at the Geeveston Visitor Centre. Everybody welcome.
Address: 15 Church St Geeveston Phone: 0423 189 274 Facebook: Geeveston Feast
Toilet Facilities
Heritage Park 7 Brady Street, Geeveston OPEN: Daylight hours
Geeveston Service Station - BP 4840 Huon Highway, Geeveston
RV Dump Points Arve Road, Geeveston
Police Station - non-emergency ph. 131 444 Geeveston Police Station 1 Arve Rd, Geeveston (03) 6297 0011
Doctor/Medical Centre Geeveston Medical Centre 19 Arve Rd, Geeveston Phone: (03) 6297 1903
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Alfred Barrett Biggs (1825-1900), teacher, bank officer, astronomer and inventor, was born on 10 April 1825 in London, moving to Van Diemen's Land (Tasmania) in 1833.
In 1872, he moved to Campbell Town, where he taught in the public school and befriended Dr William Valentine, of The Grange, in Campbell Town.
Both men were fascinated by astronomy, and in 1874 a rare astronomical event occurred: the transit of Venus. Valentine had invited an American expedition to view the transit from his home. Biggs assisted with the observations, and the Americans gave him a building they had used in making their observations.
In 1877 Biggs learned of the invention of the telephone. He then constructed a pair of telephones and had them connected between Launceston and Campbell Town, successfully transmitting sounds between the two locations. It has been claimed that this was the first telephone connection in Australia.
In 1874, with well-known astronomer, Dr. William Valentine, he prepared the equipment for the team of US astronomers who observed the transit of Venus from Campbell Town. Biggs made the lenses for his telescope and ended up as Government Astronomer
Thetelephone equipment, modelled on designs by Alexander Graham Bell, is now housed in the Queen Victoria Museum in Launceston.
The Grange - Campbell Town
The Transit of Venus Sundial
In the park in front of The Grange is an unusual monument, the Transit of Venus sundial. It was designed from old agricultural machinery found around the town by Anthony Sprent. It commemorates the Transit of Venus which took place in 1874 and was designed for the transit which occurred on 8 June, 2004.
Campbell Town was one of the early coaching stops and is the centre of the fine wool and sheep-farming region.
Campbell Town, located on the banks of the Elizabeth River, is approximately 69 kilometres from Launceston and 133 kilometres from Hobart.
It was an early coaching stop and had a population of 781 (2011 census).
Governor Lachlan Macquarie named the town after his wife's family while visiting in 1821.
Campbell Town was one of nine police districts established by Governor Arthur in 1827, each with a stipendiary magistrate, a contingent of troops, a doctor, a postmaster, and a lecturer or catechist.
The causeway over the Elizabeth River was removed when the current bridge was erected in 1837, and a brewery near the stream was established to supply the three hotels.
A flour mill was also built to supply the hamlet, even though some of the inhabitants had been grinding their own grain for years prior to this using stone rollers and water wheels.
The larger estates employed carpenters, blacksmiths, nail technicians, and every other tradesman required for independence, making them essentially self-sufficient.
Meehan had built out the township proper, as Gov. Macquarie had instructed, with a common area and streets spanning an approximate distance of three miles in length and one mile in width.
Nearly every bushranger recorded in Tasmanian
history seems to have robbed, murdered or burned his way through the
Campbell Town district at one time or another in his career.
Campbell Town Free Overnight Caravan Stop Blackburn Park
Built by convicts in 1838, The Red Bridge crosses the Elizabeth River at Campbell Town and is the oldest surviving brick arch bridge in Australia,
The bridge contains three arch spans of 7.6 m (25 ft) each and holds two lanes of traffic as well as pedestrian walkways., carrying over two million vehicles per year.
It was constructed of 1,250,000 handmade bricks on dry land, and after its completion the river was diverted to flow under the bridge. It has been registered on the Register of the National Estate since 1978.
The best vantage points for photography are
from the adjacent foot bridge or at the foot of the stone steps on the
North West corner.
A large sign at the site tells the history of the bridge.
A small park at the northern end of the bridge features a number of interesting pieces of chain-saw art.
In addition to the wonderful Red Bridge, there is also:
The Convict Brick Trail In a commemoration of our convict history, each
brick is engraved with the names and a few personal details of convicts
transported to Australia and Norfolk Island.
The Catholic Church
In King St., east of the main street.
ST Luke's Church
Built in 1835 is one of the oldest in Australia and is on the northern edge of the town.
Harold Gatty Memorial
A memorial to the first man to fly around the world, in 1931, is on the northern edge of the town.
Old Water Wheel
On Franklin St., just south of the Elizabeth River.
Grange
A gentleman's house built in 1847 is just south of Valentine Park, which is in the centre of the town.
The Grange was built in about 1847 for Dr. William Valentine and was designed by James Blackburn.
Dr. Valentine was interested in all things scientific and
in 1874 his friend, Alfred Biggs, a schoolmaster, made a pair of
telephones from the drawings of Alexander Graham Bell, with which the
first telephone conversation in the Southern Hemisphere was conducted -
between Campbell Town and Launceston.
In 1875 the Grange played host to an American expedition formed to observe the transit of Venus.
The observatory building resides in the garden and the
telescope casings are now gate-posts, facing the highway, while the
telephones are housed in the Queen Victoria Museum in Launceston.
Fox Hunter's Return Built in 1838 the Fox Hunter's Return is rated as the best preserved of this early Colonial style in Australia and now boasts a second-hand bookshop in the basement.
Toilet Facilities Valentine's Park, Commonwealth Lane, Campbell Town - Open 24 hours
Doctor/Medical Centre
Campbell Town Surgery, 70 High St., Campbell Town, - ph. (03) 6381 1133
Police Station 105 High Street, Campbell Town - non-emergency, ph. 131 444
Campbell Town St Michael's Catholic
Mason / Forster Streets - Off Midland Highway (North of Town)
Campbell Town Anglican Cemetery
Church St, Campbell Town
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