OATLANDS

 

1/ Oatlands is a historic town in central Tasmania. Next to Oatlands is Lake Dulverton, which is replete with birds. A matt of reeds covers this flooded section of the Lake Dulverton. It was isolated from the Lake by a dam. During the drought of 2008, this was the only section that contained water for the birds.

2/ The different areas of vegetation favour the different bird species at Lake Dulverton.

3/ Birds can quite easily cohabitate with other species, as you can see in this photo taken at Lake Dulverton.

4/ This mallard duck is a very good example of his species.

5/ These two ducks are probably a couple. They were drinking from the pond at the time.

6/ This duck and goose were a picture of contentment of the wildlife of Lake Dulverton.

7/ This goose is looking out over the last flooded area of Lake Dulverton in Oatlands. This photo was taken during the 2008 drought.

8/ This is the view from the eastern shore of Lake Dulverton. It shows Oatlands as being dominated by the Callington Mill.

9/ This is the far eastern shore of Lake Dulverton.

10/ There is a historic building on the far eastern shore of Lake Dulverton. It had an air of timelessness about it.

 

1/ The Callington Mill is now the show piece of Oatlands. It was built in 1837 and was only fully restored in 2011. It grinds flower the ancient way and is open for inspection.

2/ The Oatlands Visitor Centre is near the Callington Mill, is a good place to start your tour.

3/ This close up photo gives you some idea of the size of the sails. The mill at Oatlands is the only one of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere.

4/ The Callington Mill is part of an ancient industrial site, which is also open for inspection.

5/ The Callington Mill was repaired over a number of years as the money was raised. This photo shows the Mill in 2008 without its sails. For over a century the Mill was just a derelict tower.

6/ I include this photo to show you the silhouette potential of the Mill in the late afternoon.

7/ This sandstone building is the former home of the Callington Mill operators.

8/ This is Mill Lane that connects with High Street. Walking down this lane is like stepping back into the 19th Century, as the restorations are really first class.

9/ The back gardens of the houses had vegetable patches, just like in the 19th Century.

10/ High Street is the main street of Oatlands. It is almost entirely sandstone and is well restored.

11/ This view shows the variety of buildings that you see on High Street, Oatlands.

12/ This is another example of a gentleman's residence. Notice how the mill adds to the historic effect.

13/ Oatlands boasts whole streets of working mens cottages like these examples. Having a wide range of old buildings gives the visitor a deep historic experience.

14/ This is the Freemasons Lodge. It is also another great example of the sandstone buildings of Oatlands.

15/ This bank building is built in the more recent Art deco style. It blends in well with the older buildings.

16/ Oatlands High School has a fine range of Victorian era class rooms like these.

18/ This is the old Kentish Hotel. It had an interesting display of Errol Flynn memorabilia. The famous actor Errol Flynn lived his early life in Tasmania.

19/ This is another grand gentry, house on High Street, Oatlands, which is made of sandstone.

20/ The Oatlands Court House was built in 1829. Note the plaque in the centre of the building. Behind the Court House was the jail. This is now the scene of major restoration.

21/ The plaque gives a different reason as to why the soldiers served. Note the words "...for God, for King, for Empire". In history it is important to get your facts from primary sources.

22/ The Uniting Church on the hill is a very impressive structure. Note the rectory building to its left.

23/ The Rectory was one of the grandest buildings in Oatlands. It tells you a lot about the social values of Colonial society and the exulted place of the clergy.

24/ This cottage near the Uniting Church had a good view into the town of Oatlands.

25/ A worker considered himself lucky to eventually acquire a small cottage like this one.

26/ This derelict cottage helps you to appreciate just how much restoration work has been done in the many stone buildings of Oatlands.

27/ There were two other historic churches in Oatlands. This is St Paul's Catholic Church. It was built in the Gothic Revival style in 1851 according to the design of the famous architect Augustus Pugin. He also designed the lovely church at Colebrook further south.

28/ This is the view of St Paul's from the front.

29/ This is the St Peter's Anglican Church. It was built in 1838 according to the designs of John Lee Archer. It shows the classic Georgian style.

30/ This is St Peter's Anglican Church from the front. It really complements the old cemetery.

32/ This derelict hotel is the Birmingham Arms. It was once one of the horse changing stops for the stage coach from Hobart to Launceston. You can see it just south of Oatlands.

 

1/ Jericho is a small hamlet in south east Tasmania. It is just off the A1 Midland Highway. It boasts this lovely Gothic Revival church. There are no facilities at Jericho.

2/ This photo shows the church of Jericho from the opposite angle.

3/ This photo shows the Victorian era school at Jericho. It had a real air of timelessness about it.

4/ This is the hall at Jericho. It looks very much like an old church.

5/ This photo shows the charming, rustic scene you see as you leave Jericho.

6/ This photo shows an ancient Jericho estate. There are many such estates in Tasmania that are still used by the descendant families.

 

1/ Tunbridge is a small hamlet in south east Tasmania. The ancient inn above was once a major meeting place for Irish exiles. There are no facilities at Tunbridge. There are no facilities at Tunbridge except a picnic area.

2/ Tunbridge has one of the oldest bridges in Tasmania.

3/ The Tunbridge Manor House was built in 1828. The classic Georgian design shows that Tunbridge was once an important town.

4/ This photo shows the picnic ground at Tunbridge. A modern church is on the left.

5/ Tunbridge has many Victorian ear cottages like this lovely example.

6/ Tunbridge also has some examples of buildings that needed restoration. This old cottage had a real feeling of history about it.