Longford was first explored by Europeans when Jacob Mountgarrett and Ensign Hugh Piper passed through in 1806. The following year Lieutenant Laycock, journeying from north to south, camped near the present town site.

Longford was first settled in about 1807 when settlers started to arrive in from Norfolk Island. Governor Macquarie granted land rights to the settlers, who originally called the area Norfolk Plains.

The town, originally called Latour, grew up around the Longford Hotel which was built in 1827 by Newman Williatt, and in 1833 the town was renamed Longford after a county in Ireland by the colonial surveyor, Roderic O'Connor.

The major historic attraction in Longford in Christ Church, a sandstone building which dates from 1839. The church clock and bell were both gifts from George IV, its stained glass window is impressive, and the church's graveyard includes such prominent. Tasmanian families as the Archers and the Reibeys

The Longford Racecourse is the oldest continuously operating racecourse in Australia. Longford is home to many horse studs and training facilities, and the Longford races are held annually on New Year's Day, with thoroughbred horse racing and the Elders Webster Longford Cup.

Longford still has the air of a 19th century country village. Three early free-settler estates - Woolmers (1816), Panshangar (1821) and Brickendon (1824) - were developed by the dynastic Archer family, who arrived in 1813 and whose descendants still farm the area today. Farmers were provided with free convict labour and used this to create grand reminders of their English heritage.

You can visit Woolmers Estate, regarded as the most authentic remaining example of an Australian pioneer farm. More recently it has established a National Rose Garden, with more than 4,000 roses on display. It is a unique and fascinating reflection of colonial life in Tasmania and is one of the most historically significant heritage properties in Australia. Today Woolmers Estate continues to display colonial life in its most genuine shape and gives an accurate depiction of Tasmanian heritage, preserved and maintained in an original and authentic setting.

Nearby are antique galleries, a good bakery, and art and craft shops, including one that specialises in dolls' houses and miniatures.

The first Longford Show was held on the 4th November 1857 behind the Blenheim Inn, Marlborough Street Longford, but was moved to an autumn show in 1858, which featured exhibitions of ports, seeds and other colonial products. Admission was 1 shilling. The first President of the then Northern Agricultural Society was Mr Thomas Reibey, who built Entally House.

The Longford Annual Show has been held ever year since with the exception of two years, 1943 and 1944 during the second world war and one in 1950 due to an epidemic. In 2006 the Longford Show Society celebrated its 150th anniversary, with a very special and successful show, which finished with a great fireworks display. It is held every March.

The 1965 Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix was a race held at the Longford Circuit on March 1, 1965. The race had 19 starters.