Oatlands is a historic town on the shores of Lake Dulverton in central

Tasmania Tasmania (; palawa kani: ''Lutruwita'') is an island States and territories of Australia, state of Australia. It is located to the south of the Mainland Australia, Australian mainland, and is separated from it by the Bass Strait. The sta ...

Australia Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country comprising mainland Australia, the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania and list of islands of Australia, numerous smaller isl ...

. Situated north of

Hobart Hobart ( ) is the capital and most populous city of the island state of Tasmania, Australia. Located in Tasmania's south-east on the estuary of the River Derwent, it is the southernmost capital city in Australia. Despite containing nearly hal ...

and south of Launceston along the Midland Highway, it serves as a key stopover between Tasmania's major cities. At the 2021 census, Oatlands had a population of 728. The township is noted for its extensive collection of colonial sandstone buildings, many of which were constructed by convict labour during the early 19th century. Among its most significant landmarks is the Callington Mill, built in 1837, the only operating

Lincolnshire Lincolnshire (), abbreviated ''Lincs'', is a Ceremonial counties of England, ceremonial county in the East Midlands and Yorkshire and the Humber regions of England. It is bordered by the East Riding of Yorkshire across the Humber estuary to th ...

-style

windmill A windmill is a machine operated by the force of wind acting on vanes or sails to mill grain (gristmills), pump water, generate electricity, or drive other machinery. Windmills were used throughout the high medieval and early modern period ...

in Australia. The mill's restoration has reinforced the town's role as a heritage tourism destination. In addition to its historic appeal, Oatlands has gained recognition for its environmental sustainability efforts, winning a Tidy Towns Sustainability Award in 2023.

History

Named by

Governor Macquarie Major General Lachlan Macquarie, CB (; ; 31 January 1762 – 1 July 1824) was a British Army officer and colonial administrator from Scotland. Macquarie served as the fifth Governor of New South Wales from 1810 to 1821, and had a leading role ...

in 1821 after the English town in

Surrey Surrey () is a Ceremonial counties of England, ceremonial county in South East England. It is bordered by Greater London to the northeast, Kent to the east, East Sussex, East and West Sussex to the south, and Hampshire and Berkshire to the wes ...

, Oatlands was originally established in 1821 as a military post due to its strategic position between

and Launceston. It became a centre for convict labour, with prisoners assigned to public works and agricultural development. The town played a role as an outpost in the

Black War The Black War was a period of violent conflict between British colonists and Aboriginal Tasmanians in Tasmania from the mid-1820s to 1832 that precipitated the near-extermination of the indigenous population. The conflict was fought largely as ...

, a conflict between colonial settlers and the First Nations people. The Oatlands Military Precinct was established as a key administrative and convict station in the early 19th century, housing soldiers, government officials, and convicts assigned to public works. The precinct contained several important buildings, including the Oatlands Gaol, military barracks and Supreme Court House, the oldest rural supreme court building in Australia. While much of the original infrastructure has been lost, key remnants of the precinct remain, including the gaol walls and administration buildings. The precinct played a crucial role in maintaining law and order in the region and was central to the colonial military system in Tasmania.

Economy and industry

Oatlands has long been an agricultural centre, with sheep grazing and grain production continuing to support the local economy. Tourism has become increasingly important, with the restoration of Callington Mill and other heritage projects drawing visitors. The town also benefits from industries such as aged care and local government administration.

Tourism

In 1985, the Midland Highway bypass redirected traffic away from Oatlands, affecting its economy. Over time, Oatlands' preserved colonial streetscape, has gained significant appeal from tourists passing through the midlands. Featuring over 150 sandstone buildings, the township has the highest concentration in any Australian town. High Street is home to historic sites such as the 1829 Supreme Court House, the 1836 Gaoler’s Residence, and the 1827 Commissariat. The 'Oatlands Key' program offers access to these heritage sites. Oatlands is also home to several historically significant churches. St Paul’s Catholic Church, designed by renowned architect Augustus Welby Pugin, is an example of Gothic Revival architecture and remains a landmark in the town. St Luke’s Presbyterian Church, built in the 1850s, features a striking stone spire and has been part of the town’s religious and social history for over 150 years. Additionally, the Church of England Parish Hall, constructed by local stonemasons in 1875, showcases Victorian-era sandstone craftsmanship. Lake Dulverton provides recreational opportunities, including a walking trail to Parattah and public art installations reflecting the area's pastoral history. The lake is an important habitat, supporting 78 recorded bird species, including swans, ducks, grebes, and herons. The lake is stocked with fish by the Oatlands District High School Aquaculture Centre. The tradition of

topiary Topiary is the horticultural practice of training perennial plants by clipping the foliage and twigs of trees, shrubs and subshrubs to develop and maintain clearly defined shapes, whether geometric or fanciful. The term also refers to plants w ...

in Oatlands dates back to the 19th century, with residents continuing the practice today. These intricate tree and shrub sculptures, including those at St Peter’s Pass, are designed by Tasmanian sculptor Stephen Walker and maintained by the community.

Amenities

Oatlands hosts the Midlands Multi-Purpose Health Centre, a primary healthcare facility. The town recently saw an $8.4 million investment in water infrastructure upgrades, expected to be completed by 2025. In 2023, a $10 million aquatic centre was opened, featuring an indoor heated pool and fitness facilities.

Demographics

At the

2021 Australian census The 2021 Australian census, simply called the 2021 Census, was the eighteenth national Census of Population and Housing in Australia. The 2021 Census took place on 10 August 2021, and was conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). ...

, Oatlands had a population of 728 residents. The median age was 55 years, notably higher than the national median of 38 years. Children aged 0–14 years constituted 12.5% of the population, while those aged 65 and over made up 33.2%. In terms of cultural background, 74.2% of Oatlands' residents reported being born in

, with the next most common countries of birth being

England England is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. It is located on the island of Great Britain, of which it covers about 62%, and List of islands of England, more than 100 smaller adjacent islands. It ...

(5.1%) and

New Zealand New Zealand () is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It consists of two main landmasses—the North Island () and the South Island ()—and List of islands of New Zealand, over 600 smaller islands. It is the List of isla ...

(1.2%). Regarding language, 88.3% of people spoke only English at home. Religious affiliation data indicated that 35.3% of the population identified as having 'No Religion', 29.4% as

Anglican Anglicanism, also known as Episcopalianism in some countries, is a Western Christianity, Western Christian tradition which developed from the practices, liturgy, and identity of the Church of England following the English Reformation, in the ...

, and 14.4% as

Catholic The Catholic Church (), also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the List of Christian denominations by number of members, largest Christian church, with 1.27 to 1.41 billion baptized Catholics Catholic Church by country, worldwid ...

. The median weekly household income in Oatlands was $1,000, compared to the national median of $1,746. Employment figures showed that 45.9% of those aged 15 and over were in the labour force, with 54.1% not participating. The most common occupations included managers (19.5%), labourers (18.8%), and professionals (14.3%). Key industries of employment were

sheep Sheep (: sheep) or domestic sheep (''Ovis aries'') are a domesticated, ruminant mammal typically kept as livestock. Although the term ''sheep'' can apply to other species in the genus '' Ovis'', in everyday usage it almost always refers to d ...

beef cattle Beef cattle are cattle raised for meat production (as distinguished from dairy cattle, used for milk (production)). The meat of mature or almost mature cattle is mostly known as beef. In beef production there are three main stages: cow-calf opera ...

and grain farming (8.3%), aged care residential services (7.5%), and local government administration (6.8%).

Climate

In popular culture

Oatlands has been used as a backdrop for various film and television productions due to its well-preserved

Georgian architecture Georgian architecture is the name given in most English-speaking countries to the set of architectural styles current between 1714 and 1830. It is named after the first four Monarchy of the United Kingdom, British monarchs of the House of Han ...

and historic atmosphere. The 2025 feature film '' Ancestry Road'' was filmed in and around the town, highlighting its colonial streetscape and heritage buildings. In 2024, a 200-year-old Georgian sandstone home in Oatlands was featured on '' Grand Designs Transformations'' on ABC TV, showcasing a significant restoration and adaptive reuse of the historic property. The program detailed the challenges and successes of modernising the heritage-listed structure while preserving its original character.

Notable people

* Solomon Blay (1816–1897): An English convict transported to

Van Diemen's Land Van Diemen's Land was the colonial name of the island of Tasmania during the European exploration of Australia, European exploration and colonisation of Australia in the 19th century. The Aboriginal Tasmanians, Aboriginal-inhabited island wa ...

, Blay became Tasmania's longest-serving hangman, operating primarily in Oatlands from 1840 to 1891. *

Kevin Izod O'Doherty Kevin Izod O'Doherty (7 September 1823 – 15 July 1905) was an Irish Australian politician who, as a Young Irelander, had been transported to Tasmania in 1849. He was first elected to the Queensland Legislative Assembly in 1867. In 1885 he ret ...

(1823–1905): An

Irish nationalist Irish nationalism is a nationalist political movement which, in its broadest sense, asserts that the people of Ireland should govern Ireland as a sovereign state. Since the mid-19th century, Irish nationalism has largely taken the form of cult ...

and medical doctor, O'Doherty was exiled to Van Diemen's Land for his involvement in the

Young Ireland Rebellion The Young Irelander Rebellion was a failed Irish nationalist uprising led by the Young Ireland movement, part of the wider Revolutions of 1848 that affected most of Europe. It took place on 29 July 1848 at Farranrory, a small settlement about 4 ...

of 1848 and resided in Oatlands during his exile. * Henry Frampton Anstey (1822–1862): A politician who represented Oatlands in the

Tasmanian Legislative Council The Tasmanian Legislative Council is the upper house of the Parliament of Tasmania in Australia. It is one of the two Chambers of parliament, chambers of the Parliament, the other being the Tasmanian House of Assembly, House of Assembly. Both ho ...

and later in the

House of Assembly House of Assembly is a name given to the legislature or lower house of a bicameral parliament. In some countries this may be at a subnational level. Historically, in British Crown colonies as the colony gained more internal responsible g ...

, Anstey served as Secretary for Lands and Works in the first Tasmanian Ministry. * Alfred Pillinger (1839–1899): Born near Oatlands, Pillinger was a landowner and politician who represented Oatlands in the House of Assembly from 1876 until his death. He served as Minister of Lands and Works from 1888 to 1892. * Arthur Reginald Fisher (1901–1958): A native of Oatlands, Fisher was a member of the Tasmanian House of Assembly, representing the

Tasmanian Labor Party The Tasmanian Labor Party, officially known as the Australian Labor Party (Tasmanian Branch) and commonly referred to simply as Tasmanian Labor, is the Tasmanian branch of the Australian Labor Party. It has been one of the most successful state ...

for the electorate of Wilmot from 1956 until his death in 1958. * Keith Sydney Isles (1902–1977): Raised near Oatlands, Isles was an economist and academic who served as

Vice-Chancellor A vice-chancellor (commonly called a VC) serves as the chief executive of a university in the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Australia, Nepal, India, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Kenya, other Commonwealth of Nati ...

of the

University of Tasmania The University of Tasmania (UTAS) is a public research university, primarily located in Tasmania, Australia. Founded in 1890, it is Australia's fourth oldest university. Christ College (University of Tasmania), Christ College, one of the unive ...

from 1957 to 1967. *

George Quinlan Roberts George Quinlan Roberts (23 February 1860 – 6 September 1943) was a Tasmanian-born rower who won events at Henley Royal Regatta in the 1880s. He later served as chief secretary of St Thomas' Hospital in London from 1903 to 1928. Early lif ...

(1860–1943): Born in Oatlands, Roberts was an accomplished rower who won events at the

Henley Royal Regatta Henley Royal Regatta (or Henley Regatta, its original name pre-dating Royal patronage) is a Rowing (sport), rowing event held annually on the River Thames by the town of Henley-on-Thames, England. It was established on 26 March 1839. It diffe ...

in the 1880s and later served as chief secretary of

St Thomas' Hospital St Thomas' Hospital is a large NHS teaching hospital in Central London, England. Administratively part of the Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, together with Guy's Hospital, Evelina London Children's Hospital, Royal Brompton Hospita ...

in London.

Access

Oatlands is situated in central Tasmania, approximately north of

and south of Launceston, accessible via the Midland Highway. The town is a convenient stop for travellers journeying between the island's two largest cities. While public transport options are limited, private vehicles provide the most flexible means of reaching and exploring the area. The town's location makes it an ideal base for exploring the central Tasmanian region. Historically, the Oatlands railway line, opened in 1885, connected the town to Parattah before closing in 1949.

References

External links

{{Commons category-inline
Callington Mill
Restored 1837 windmill
Discover Tasmania - Oatlands
Towns in Tasmania Localities of Southern Midlands Council 1821 establishments in Australia Populated places established in 1821 Convictism in Tasmania Tourist attractions in Tasmania Windmills in Australia