Only one hour north a Hobart, or 90 minutes south of Launceston, Oatlands has an almost untouched Georgian townscape. We drove through on our way to Bruny Island from Ross early in the morning, so not much was open. After getting our morning coffee, we walked along the main street admiring the old sandstone buildings and taking some photos.
Many old buildings have been re-purposed into cafes, restaurants, galleries, and gift shops, so they are maintained in good condition. The main reason we stopped was the Callington Mill, built in 1837 and still operating. As the only windmill of its type still operating in the southern hemisphere, it attracts visitors from all over Australia.
This was a quick stop to see some of the old buildings and the mill. With 138 sandstone buildings in town, we would have stayed longer to see more, but had to be on Bruny Island later that day. Being able to see the mill was great and was where we spent most of our time. If you are travelling with children, a playground next to the mill is a good place to let them run around.
Built by convict labour in the early 1800s, Ross is a wonderfully preserved 19th century village full of old buildings and history.
How to Get There
Ross is about a one-hr drive (78 km) south from Launceston and a 90-min drive (121 km) north from Hobart.
RossBridge
Probably the most famous structure in town the bridge is Australia’s third oldest standing bridge. Often considered the most beautiful of its kind left in the world because of its 186 carvings by convict stonemasons. Deemed to be of such high quality at the time of construction it won the men a free pardon.
During our brief stay the water level was very high, meaning we could not get as Close as we wanted to the carvings, but we still managed to see it from further away. Lit up at night, the bridge takes on a surreal look, with the colour of the sandstone emphasised.
Ross Bridge
Town Centre
Full of old buildings and lined with elm trees, even in winter the main street look amazing. Our first stop was the bakery to get something to eat and drink after our drive. After that we walked around town admiring the old convict built buildings. Everything is close together, so you are able to get about on foot rather than driving.
Old telephone boxes add a great bit of character to the main street, rather than more modern metal ones. As well as the buildings, the war memorial at the town’s cross-roads makes a great centre piece and is surrounded on four corners by old buildings.
Church Street
Elm Tree Lined Church Street
Church Street
Ross Post Office
Old Town Hall
15 Pounder Captured During the Anglo-Boer War 1902 at the War Memorial
Old Telephone Boxes on Church Street
Old Gaol
Churches
Scattered around town are three sandstone churches, all worth having a look at. The Uniting Church flood lit at night, so go back and have a look after dark.
St John’s Anglican Church Ross
Ross Uniting Church
Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Ross at Night
After dark, the bridge, Uniting Church and war memorial are flood lit. This adds a great additional dimension to the feel of the town. In the middle of winter, there were only a few groups looking around, so it was even better.
Ross Bridge at Night
Uniting Church at Night
War Memorial At Night
Where Did We Stay?
Our accommodation was at the Ross Motel, which we found very comfortable. It was also centrally located, so we were able to walk from here to everything we wanted to see.
What Did We Think?
Ross is a wonderful little village, with its historic 19th century centre preserved. We loved walking around the streets admiring the old buildings. The flood lit buildings at night also add a great touch, making it interesting to get out after dark to look around.
Created to honour fallen soldiers in World War One, the Legerwood Memorial Trees are a brilliant way to ensure their legacy remains remembered.
Following the end of World War One, many towns and cities in Australia chose to honour their fallen soldiers by planting trees to form avenues of remembrance. Planted during elaborate ceremonies, the families of dead soldiers placed trees as a permanent reminder of the sacrifice of their loved ones.
However, with time, the trees aged and became a hazard to people passing by. The thought of removing them and losing a link to the past was too much for the local community, so they came up with a unique solution. They engaged chainsaw artist Eddie Freeman to transform the trees into permanent memorials. Using historical photos of the soldiers, he sculpted the trees into wonderful artworks.
Not only do the sculptures show soldiers, but also depicts them in their civilian jobs, or with wives and fiancés. There are nine trees, in the park. They represent the seven men from the town killed in the conflict, one to remember the ANZACS and one to remember the sacrifice made at Gallipoli.
There is a plaque giving the history of the men at the base of each tree.
Getting There
Located just over an hour from Launceston along the Tasman Highway, Legerwood is easy to get to. Marked, appropriately by a sculpture, the turn-off is hard to miss. On street parking is available in the park, which also has toilet facilities and a barbeque area.
This way to Legerwood
The Legerwood Carved Memorial Trees
We spent a lot of time walking around the memorials, reading the histories of the soldiers. The sculptures are great and it was wonderful that the artist used photos of the men to create each piece of art, because each one looks individual.
Legerwood Carved Memorial Trees
A soldier on the Beach at Gallipoli Carrying an Ammunition Box and Billy Can
A Bugler at Lone Pine
Private John Henry McDougall
The Memorial to Private Robert James Jenkins
Private Robert James Jenkins
Private Thomas Edward Edwards, Goodbye With His Wife
Part of the Private Thomas Edward Edwards Memorial
Private William Henry Hyde
What Did We Think?
This was a great stop and a wonderful way to remember those who fought and died in the First World War. We loved walking around reading the men’s histories and admiring the sculptures.
