Franklin House near Launceston is the birthplace of the National Trust (Tasmania) and was the first heritage property taken over by the Trust in 1960. Originally built in the Franklin Village four miles from Launceston, it is now in the middle of an industrial estate. This can be a little difficult to locate, but once you do, it is most assuredly worth the visit. Passing through the ornate portico and into the house, I was greeted by two knowledgeable and enthusiastic guides.

Only eight kilometres (5mi) from Launceston is the town of Hadspen. With a population of just over 2000, it is situated on the banks of the South Esk River. Most buildings here are residential. Yet, there is a lot this town has to offer for visitors. It still retains a country vibe, even though close to the large town of Launceston with a population of around 123,000. Declared a town in 1866, Hadspen was on the original main road from Launceston to Devonport. The town has bee

Evandale is a National Trust classified Georgian Village. The unspoiled heritage buildings vary from grand homes built to impress, to more practical but still lovely smaller cottages. Evandale is situated on the South Esk River, 20 km south of Launceston. The 2016 census records the population of the village at 1,345. In 1811 it was originally a military outpost. The name Evandale, named in 1836, was in honour of the first Surveyor-General, G.W. Evans. The main street of Evan

Evandale is a National Trust classified Georgian Village. Today this town, just 20kms south of Launceston is home to around 1,345 people (2016 census). In the main street, the houses and businesses are built almost on the main road, there are rarely front gardens here. It is only as you venture away from the main thoroughfare that gardens start to appear in front of buildings and the houses become set back from the road. The largest and grandest Georgian house in Australia is

The grandest classically Georgian house in Australia is open to the public in Tasmania. As a lover of both beautiful old homes and history, visiting Clarendon house near Evandale was a must see and do on my list of gorgeous Tasmanian heritage homes. This National Trust property is open to the public, enabling the visitors to come experience and enjoy this colonial treasure. It definitely lived up to my expectations, in fact – it surpassed them. Even before you enter the house

As with most inland small rural towns, there may not seem to be a lot to see and do at first glance, but look deep into the area and you will discover hidden gems. Sheffield with a population of just over 1,500 is 23kms inland from Devonport and 88kms from Launceston. Visitors will often stop for a quick coffee and snack break on their way through to Cradle Mountain, but this town nestled near the majestic Mount Roland deserves a long visit. Surrounded by areas with the unlik

Sheffield had once been a thriving country town but had fallen into an almost depressingly derelict town. Buildings were being demolished and their materials recycled elsewhere. In an effort to save their town from disappearing, a few of the local citizens gathered together. They had heard about Chemainus, in Canada. That town too, had been suffering a similar fate to Sheffield, until Chemainus resident, Kark Schultz, created the town’s history in murals. Thousands of tourist

Brian Inder was a man with a dream, and the fortitude, craziness and perservance to make it come true. Side by side with his wife Laura they built Tasmazia together. Proving that you are never too old to follow your passion, Brian started this when he was 54 years young. Since 1994 it has been the delight of thousands of visitors to discover this wonderland. Brian and Laura grew medical lavender and sold lavender bags to tourists. There were over 12,000 lavender plants at the

Over 60 embassies grace the Embassy Gardens in Tasmania, dedicated to over 40 countries. And not just countries, there is even a building dedicated to intergalactic worlds and time travel. Visitors from overseas are most likely to be found locating “their” embassy and having a photo taken with it, and of course, the Australian embassy. The Aussie embassy is a typical outback house with its wide verandahs. Out in the yard is the typical outdoor dunny (toilet) water tank and wi

Nestled in the interestingly named Promised Land, in Tasmania Australia, is a unique tourist attraction. In fact, it has been voted one of the ten top attractions in the world by www.gotravel24.com, as well as thousands of annual visitors. I visited the towns of Lower Crackpot and Upper Lower Crackpot (with its distinct yellow brick road) with Laura Inder as my guide. This was an insight into the outstanding and interesting little townships, and a discovery of Laura’s incredi

Train buffs, families, children and solo travellers such as myself, all enjoy visiting the Don River Railway (DRR) just one kilometre from Devonport. This is a fascinating hands on experience of train travel in Tasmania over the years. This not-for-profit organisation is owned and operated by members and hard-working, talented and dedicated volunteers. It is a wonderful thing to have these restored historical locomotives and carriages on display. There is a lot to see and do

On my recent research of coffee shops to visit in Devonport, I was recommended several times to The Cat Lounge. I had never visited a pet café before, and this is one of only two in Tasmania. The other is in Hobart. The Cat Lounge makes sure the cats are in a happy and healthy environment. Visitors can sit in the café style lounge area and play with any of the eight cats. The cats love being patted and stroked. They rule here, if they want to play they will, otherwise, you ca

The story of Joseph and Enid Lyons is a true-love fairy tale. Joseph (Joe) was the Australian Prime Minister from 1932 to 1939, and his wife Enid was the first woman to sit in the House of Representatives. Today, we can take a small part in that story by visiting Home Hill, their elegant home in Devonport, run by the National Trust. Joe and Enid were the parents of twelve children, one died in infancy. The six girls shared rooms at Home Hill, two to a room. The boys shared a

Coffee is subjective. Each person can have a different interpretation of what makes a good coffee. In rating my coffee shops of Devonport, I looked not just for taste and satisfaction in the actual product. A good coffee shop should be clean, offer something different to other venues, be individual, have friendly and competent staff and be somewhere that I enjoy visiting and want to come back to, again and again. Giocondo Coffee Roasters at Verona Restaurant and Wine Bar My a

The classified historic Georgian town of Longford is only 27kms (a 20 minute drive) southwest of Launceston. It is nestled at the convergence of the Macquarie and the South Esk Rivers. The Great Western Tiers are a spectacular backdrop to the town situated at their foothills. The buildings in the town are beautifully preserved and a treat for admirers of old colonial homes and business premises. Charming hotels have been restored, with some now private residences while others

One of the most beautiful places to view over 5,000 blooming beaties in Tasmania is at the Woolmers National Rose Garden in Longford. They range from early European roses right through to those of the twenty first century. The garden was created to showcase the history and development of the rose, grown in Tasmanian conditions. Begun in January 2001, it continued to develop in stages over the next five years. (from a sign at the garden) Opened in December 2001, it continues t

Around 1815 Thomas Archer request a land grant near Longford, Tasmania where the Macquarie River and South Esk River meet. His extensive estate was passed down through six generations of Archers, until Thomas Archer the sixth died childless in 1994. The first born son in each generation was named Thomas, and the property was handed down to each in turn. The estate was bequeathed to the State in 1994, on the proviso that it was kept the way it was. The large impressive family

Brickendon near Longford, Tasmania in Australia is a farm settled by William Archer in 1824, after he emigrated from Hertford, England. Today, visitors have the opportunity of visiting this historic site, which seven generations have been, and are still, farming. I felt something special as I drove towards this Colonial Village. As you drive, English hedgerows line the sides of the road, so it is like unwrapping an anticipated Christmas gift when the estate suddenly comes int

Before he died in 1981, Norman Sykes most generously left a 40 acre block of land to the Kentish Council. He instructed them that the land be used as a nature sanctuary. Today, visitors can enjoy walking through this Sanctuary and marvel at the natural beauty and wonder about the generous man who bequeathed it to his adopted land. The serenity of the place moved me as I wandered around the walking tracks. It was peaceful with a tranquility that was only broken by the sound of

Railton is known as the Town of Topiary in Tasmania, Australia. There are more than 100 topiary characters growing in and around the town. 81 kilometres west of Launceston, with a population of 1000 people, locals wanted to attract visitors to this rural town. Neil Hurley, a local resident, had the idea to plant a topiary, and the idea has grown since then (pun intended). This is a whole-of-town project with many locals having a topiary on their front lawn. As I drove around