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Campbell Town accommodation, restaurants, history, things to do

Campbell Town is a major pastoral and tourist centre in the Northern Midlands, originally established in 1821 by Governor Macquarie as one of the four garrison towns and probation stations between Hobart and Launceston.

Campbell Town was named by Governor Macquarie after his wife, Elizabeth Campbell, as was the river passing through the town, the Elizabeth River.

The convict built Red Bridge and causeway, were built as a part of the original main road, it was to be a part of Bell's line of Road, but this road never got past Oatlands. Construction was commenced in 1836 and completed in 1838.

It consists of dry stone abutments and timber top, although the top has been replaced, the stone abutments are original, making this a rare example of early Australian stone work.

The town, which is situated in an important wool-growing district surrounding the Heritage Highway, is 134 kms from Hobart, and 68 kms from Launceston.

The annual Campbell Town Agricultural Show is the oldest of its kind in Australia, having run continuously since 1838.

Now Campbell Town has a vibrant business sector with the passing traffic stopping to break their trip, for a coffee or meal use the clean amenities, top off in the many antique or specialty shops or visit the Museum & Visitor Information centre & take a self guided walk through History or a stroll beside the tranquil Elizabeth River

Just opposite St Luke's church you'll see a monument to Harold Gatty, a native son of Campbell Town. In 1931, he and American Wiley Post were the first people to fly around the world.

In 1929, Gatty had flown as navigator with Roscoe Turner in a record 19-hour non-stop flight from Los Angeles to New York. He went on to serve, as an Australian citizen, in the US Army Air Corps.

Visitors find it interesting to wander past the impressive collection of colonial buildings. The Grange, designed by convict architect James Blackburn in the late 1840s, was the home of the local wealthy doctor.

The Foxhunters Return is a lovely example of a 19th century inn. Other significant structures are St Luke’s Church (1939) and the convict-built Red Bridge (1836).