The pit stop: Campbell Town
The natural stop on a drive through the Midlands between Hobart and Launceston, Campbell Town offers reasons beyond its firm place in history to linger on those north-south migrations.
Eat
The Campbell Town Hotel presents twin food personalities. There’s classic pub grub – four varieties of parmi, a pasta of the day, even snags of the day in the bar, and the attached JJ’s Bakery has an equally traditional selection of pies, lamingtons and vanilla slices, with a separate coffee bar. Sweeten the finish at nearby Faba Gelateria*.
*Faba Gelateria is closed for winter, re-opening in December 2024
Shop
Descend beneath the Foxhunters Return to discover a strong collection of books (and maps) on Tasmania, titles by Tassie authors and an interesting mix of new and second-hand fiction at The Book Cellar. The way to a state’s heart is through its stomach, and The Tasmania Shop is stocked with all things gourmet and local, from granola and honey to gin and wine.
Credit: Alastair Bett
See
Ross and Richmond might get all the bridge oohs and aahs but Campbell Town’s 1838 Red Bridge was also built by convicts, using more than 1.5 million bricks (it was so well constructed that it’s never required major repairs in its 186-year life). Continue the convict theme by walking the brick trail through town, with each red brick imprinted with the name of a convict and their heinous crime – the likes of sleeping in barns or stealing cheese. Note the statue of Eliza Forlong and a sheep across the road – she introduced Merino sheep into southeast Australia here in 1829.
Drink
The new top bean in town is Sweetbrew, which has expanded from Launceston into Campbell Town. The city-style shots are aided and abetted by a small selection of toasted pide and slices.
Stay
Hallelujah for Haven on High, set inside a 19th-century bluestone church. The original stained-glass windows and vaulted ceiling have the secular additions of a mezzanine bedroom and 70-plus board games on hand.