Ross, Tasmania

The historic town of Ross lies on the Midland Highway, roughly halfway between Hobart and Launceston.  From the early 1820's pastoralists began setting up their holdings and Ross became known for its production of fine wool.  Those who visit Ross, Tasmania's Finest Heritage Village, are rewarded with beautiful sandstone buildings and streets lined with magnificent elm trees.  It has a lovely village feel and although it can be busy on weekends, most people walk the streets rather than drive.  

After a late start to our morning and a light breakfast we started our walk along the Heritage Trail around Ross.  Our first stop, that is just metres from our caravan park, is the convict built Ross Bridge.  Work began on the bridge in 1830 and was finally completed in 1836.  What is notable about the bridge is the 186 carved arch stones that depict Celtic symbols, animals and notable personalities from that period.

Continuing our walk, the next stop was the Female Factory Site.  This building housed female convicts and their babies. It was here that the women worked carding and spinning wool, sewing and knitting before being hired out to the surrounding properties as domestic servants.  It made me feel sad.

The path after the Female Factory Site led us up a hill to the old cemetery.  It is always a sobering thought as to just how young people died back in the 1800's.  Not too many lived to reach 60 years of age.  There were beautiful views over the Midlands from this hill.

Next was the Tasmanian Wool Centre that was created in 1988 to celebrate the importance of the wool industry in Tasmania and to highlight the historical significance of Ross as one of Tasmania's earliest rural settlements.   Philip and I purchased each's others Christmas presents here, needless to say made of wool...

As we headed back into the Main Street we decided to stop at the Ross Hotel for a counter lunch.  The hotel was originally called the Man O'Ross Hotel in 1835.  Philip spoke with the owner who told him that they bought the hotel a few years ago off the internet, sight unseen.  They haven't looked back and by the number of people that were here for lunch, it would be a lucrative business.  I ordered the "Christmas Roast Lunch" (roast ham, chicken, vegetables and Yorkshire pudding) and Philip decided on the Pork Cutlet.  We sat outside in the beer garden to enjoy these delicious meals. 

After lunch we walked up and down both sides of the long street, stopping many times for photographs.  We also detoured to both bakeries to pick up "Second Best Vanilla Slices" from one bakery and "Original Scallop Pies" from the other.  Both will be enjoyed for tomorrow's lunch.  Here are a few pics from our walk around Ross.

Tomorrow we head to Swansea on the east coast of Tasmania.  This is close to Wineglass Bay at Freycinet National Park that I hope we will get to explore.  We are having four nights here to relax.