Built 200 years ago, the Heritage Highway runs from Launceston down to Hobart, carving a trail through some of the state’s loveliest scenery and most historic towns. The drive is one for your road trip bucket list, with countless places to stop and admire the view. Take a tour through Tasmania’s history, from convict road gangs to modern times, and at the end you will land in the vibrant city of Hobart.
Grab a car, a map and your camera and start ticking off these stops along the Heritage Highway.
1. Evandale
A small Georgian village perched on the banks of the South Esk River, Evandale is 18 kilometres south of Launceston. National Trust classified, Evandale has an old-world air thanks to the heritage buildings and antique shops. It’s a great place to stretch your legs and wander around for a while, admiring the colonial brickwork.
May 13, 2017 at 7:34pm PDT
2. Campbell Town
On the banks of the Elizabeth River is Campbell Town, once a coaching stop and now a village with a population of around 800. This is the historic heart of Tasmania and a stroll around town will take you past more than 100 houses built over a century ago.
Along the river are barbecue and picnic areas with views of the Red Bridge, built in 1838. It is the oldest bridge on the National Highway and still sees more than two million vehicles cross it every year.
May 10, 2017 at 3:02am PDT
3. Ross
Ross is a tranquil place with pretty sandstone buildings lining up along the river. It’s a great spot to sit under the leafy trees and admire the slow pace of life in one of Tasmania’s loveliest towns. Almost the halfway point along the highway, Ross is about one hour from Launceston and ninety minuntes from Hobart.
This is one of the most attractive nineteenth century villages in Australia, with cobbled paths, avenues of elm trees and the gorgeous Ross Bridge, the third oldest in the whole country. The Ross bakery still has its original wood-fired brick oven, churning out crusty loaves each day – perfect for lunch!
4. Oatlands It’s worth stopping in Oatlands just to get a look at the Callington Mill. The town is also significant for its architecture, with the most sandstone buildings in one village anywhere in Australia. There are 87 original buildings along the main street, so you can almost picture what it looked like when horses, rather than cars, lined the road.
5. Richmond Just 20 minutes from Hobart, Richmond is another fine example of a Georgian village set in the Coal River Valley. The town boasts Australia’s oldest remaining Catholic church, dating back to 1836, and the country’s oldest gaol. The elegant heritage buildings now house tea shops, galleries and boutiques. It’s a great stop for food and wine lovers, with traditional bakeries, pubs and inviting vineyard cellars to explore. If you plan on having a glass of local wine with your meal, just make sure you have a sober driver for the rest of the highway.
May 4, 2017 at 4:03am PDT
With East Coast Car Rentals available in both Launceston and Hobart, you can drive the Heritage Highway in either direction. To find out more about hiring a car, reach out to our team today.