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Things to do with kids along the Heritage Highway

  • The Midlands by @granaryrichmondhill

1. Delve into History 

Take the whole family on a fun trip down memory lane into Tasmania’s past along the Heritage Highway, where you can learn about our convict and farming roots. 

Brickendon Estate. Image Credit: @brickendonestate
Brickendon Estate. Image Credit: @brickendonestate
Woolmers Estate. Image Credit: @csphotographyjournal
Woolmers Estate. Image Credit: @csphotographyjournal

Brickendon Estate

A visit to Brickendon Estate’s Historic Farm and Convict Village, near Longford, is a great day out for the whole family. Brickendon Estate is one of the oldest World Heritage Convict Sites in Tasmania, built by William Archer in 1824. History comes alive as you wander the Colonial Farm Village and see what life was like for the convicts who lived there. Explore the historic garden grounds to see the convict-built Gothic chapel, Dutch barns, chicken house, blacksmith shop and tool shed. Keep the occupied animal feeding or have them try their skill at gumboot tossing. You can even stay overnight in one of the historic farm cottages! 

Woolmers Estate

At neighbouring Woolmers Estate, you can opt for a guided tour to view the personal collections of 6 generations of the Archer family or head out on a self-guided tour through the gardens and outbuildings of the Estate. 

Tasmanian Wool Centre

While in Ross, you can also delve into Tasmania’s farming roots at the Tasmanian Wool Centre. The intriguing museum allows visitors to immerse themselves in the town’s wool story fully. Take a selfie with the door greeter Jim, a Superfine Merino ram who once worked very hard at Trefusis, just outside of Ross. Trefusis is one of the premier superfine, award-winning wool-growing properties in Tasmania.

Ross Female Factory Historic Site

A little further south in Ross, visit the Ross Female Factory Historic Site, which operated between 1847 to 1854 as a probation nation for female convicts. The Overseer’s cottage has been converted into a museum and shows a model of how the factory would have appeared in 1851.

Tasmanian Wool Centre. Image Credit: Tourism Australia
Tasmanian Wool Centre. Image Credit: Tourism Australia
Tasmanian Wool Centre. Image Credit: Tourism Australia

2. Stop for a bakery treat

There’s nothing better than stopping at the local bakery for a sweet or savoury treat. Along the Heritage Highway, you’ll be spoiled for choice. Add the below Midlands bakeries to your must-try list, and you won’t be disappointed.  

Ross Village Bakery. Image Credit @gm.williams
Ross Village Bakery. Image Credit @gm.williams
Bakery 31 Ross. Image Credit: @thedevonshireteaguide
Bakery 31 Ross. Image Credit: @thedevonshireteaguide

Ingleside Bakery

Ingleside Bakery is a beautiful spot for families to enjoy a cuppa and pastry in the Northern Midlands town of Evandale. If the weather permits, enjoy the roses and sit outside in the secret garden-styled courtyard. 

Rustic Bakehouse 

Wow the whole family with an epic doughnut from Rustic Bakehouse in Cressy. This hidden gem makes for a delicious and very Instagramable treat. For families on the go, they offer click-and-collect, making it an easy option to grab and go; make sure to place your orders early. The Friday night woodfire pizzas are also a winner among locals and visitors alike! 

Ross Village Bakery

In business for over 100 years and home to the ‘World’s Greatest Vanilla Slice’, stop and see for yourself how the Ross Village Bakery has become a truly iconic Tasmanian experience. 

Bakery 31

Indulge in a classic scallop pie at Bakery 31 in Ross. These delicious savoury pies live up to their reputation as being some of the best you can find in Tasmania. They also offer all-day breakfast and hearty meals to fuel the family on a big day out exploring. 

The Pancake and Crepe Shop

When in the Southern Midlands, you can’t go past The Pancake and Crepe Shop in Oatlands. With everything made fresh on-site within the charming Georgian-style sandstone building, it’s easy to see how this local favourite has become equally popular among visitors. 

3. Have an animal encounter to remember

Create exciting family memories featuring cute, furry and even some scaly friends with a wildlife experience to remember. 

Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary

For a unique animal experience, the kids won’t forget, head to Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary, where they can meet Tasmanian devils, quolls, echidnas, native birds, lizards, kangaroos, and wallabies. Hop on a daily tour to learn about the sanctuary’s amazing rehabilitation work or get your hands dirty and feed the kangaroos. There’s also a wide range of close and personal experiences to choose from, including a short animal encounter, a 2.5 hour feeding frenzy, and special night tours.

Cressy House Farm Stay

For a memorable family getaway, head straight to Cressy House Farm Stay. Adults can soak up the incredible views of the Great Western Tiers while kids can become acquainted with the various animals that can be found while staying on a working farm. The sheep are friendly and will come up close to introduce themselves so don’t be shy. There’s also no shortage of activities with a tennis court for some competitive exercise, a river for fishing and a pontoon to swim from.

Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary. Image Credit: @afrenchladyinsydney
Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary. Image Credit: @afrenchladyinsydney
Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary. Image Credit: @welshie1986
Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary. Image Credit: @welshie1986

Discover the Heritage Highway

The picturesque stretch between Hobart and Launceston that beckons travelers to slow down and savor the delights of this historically rich region.

Heritage Highway

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We acknowledge the Tasmanian Aboriginal people and their enduring custodianship of lutruwita / Tasmania. We honour 40,000 years of uninterrupted care, protection and belonging to these islands, before the invasion and colonisation of European settlement. As a destination that welcomes visitors to these lands, we acknowledge our responsibility to represent to our visitors, Tasmania’s deep and complex history, fully, respectfully and truthfully.

We acknowledge the Aboriginal people who continue to care for this country today. We pay our respects to their elders, past and present. We honour their stories, songs, art, and culture, and their aspirations for the future of their people and these lands. We respectfully ask that tourism be a part of that future.

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