Heritage Highway

The Heritage Highway can take up to 2 days to complete, or even longer if you feel like exploring the fascinating villages and discovering the convict history that steeps the area. Drive through rolling farmlands, historic Georgian villages and discover some of the oldest history of Australia.

Starting (or ending) at the northern end of the route head for the charming colonial village of Evandale. The village is also home to Tasmania's largest markets held on Sundays. Visitors travelling to Evandale in February will be rewarded with the internationally renowned Penny Farthing Championships. An alternative route to Evandale is via Ben Lomond the largest single alpine ski zone in Tasmania.

Next stop is Clarendon Homestead on the banks of the South Esk River. Nearby are Perth and Longford. Visitors may initially feel as though they are in England when in Longford. Close by is Cressy, renowned for year-round brown trout fishing. Brickendon is also worth a visit. Stop at the estate listed gardens and feed the farmyard animals. Woolmers Estate has a National Rose Garden.

After Longford is Epping Forest, Cleveland and Campbell Town. Campbell Town has been described as the historic heart of Tasmania and is noted for over 100 quaint houses. Walk along the banks of the Elizabeth River and see the Red Bridge that was built in 1838 by convict labour. Explore the Convict Brick Trail or the Heritage Highway Museum.

Slightly further on from Campbell Town is Ross. Giant English Elms dominate the main street of this charming village. Ross Bridge built in 1836 by convict labour is the oldest bridge in Tasmania, the site of the female factory prison nearby is also poignant of the past. Ross is also home to the Tasmanian Wool Centre's Heritage Museum.

On the way to Oatlands admire the old coaching inn at Tunbridge and the convict built Blackman's River Bridge. Oatlands itself has the largest collection of colonial sandstone buildings in a village environment in Australia. Climb to the top of the Callington Mill steam and wind flour mill.

Heading towards Hobart is Bothwell which boasts the oldest golf course in the Southern Hemisphere and 53 National Trust Classified buildings. Further on is the tiny township of Kempton and its charming collection of colonial homes, cottages and coaching inns.

Continue driving, heading through Mangalore and Bagdad. The road here is lined with magnificent homes. Marlbrook, Oakwood, Wybra Hall and Shene are testament to Tasmania's colonial history. Chauncy Vale Wildlife Sanctuary is located near Mangalore (open on the first Saturday of each month from 2pm to 4pm). Further south at Bonorong Park discover Tasmanian devils, wombats, echidnas and quolls.

After Mangalore head to Pontville to see more colonial architecture. Sandstone churches, a convict-built bridge, hotels, stately homes and an old graveyard stand to remind of a bygone era. Brighton and the tiny settlement of Broadmarsh are the last destinations before reaching Hobart.