Wednesday, 16 April 2025

Oatlands, Tasmania

There is a lot of history in Oatlands, Tasmania, Australia and the town with Australia's largest collection of sandstone Georgian buildings.  There are 150 of them, mostly convict built, including 87 along the main street.
Oatlands is named after the English town in Surrey.

The most prominent building in the town is Callington Mill, Australia's third oldest windmill (1837) and the centrepiece of the Callington Mill Distillery.

Oatlands developed around a military precinct in the late 1820's and it's impressive courthouse was the only Supreme Court in regional Tasmania, which meant it could deliver death sentences. Eighteen convicts were executed inside the town's large gaol, and the walls and archway are still standing.


Callington Mill the second photo taken the other day, the top one taken a few years ago.



The house (was the hospital many years ago) where I was born, in the right hand back corner was the room according to my late mother.
Below are some of the houses and centre's related to the council these days.





Interesting how the homes are built next to the footpath, out the front door onto it.






The Police Station above, the Chemist shop below.





On the map Oatlands is above Hobart with the red marking around the area.

78 comments:

  1. What a beautiful series of photos this is.
    The mills are very beautiful, here in the Netherlands there are also many mills that are still in use.
    Greetings Irma

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I always relate to the Netherlands and windmills, they just go together, Irma.
      Thank you.

      Delete
  2. Beautiful photos, Margaret. Thank you so much for sharing this fantastic tour, I feel as though I am right there.

    ReplyDelete
  3. The windmill is very beautiful. There's an intriguing backstory to the place you're talking about. Death sentences don't sound pleasant.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Much history Marit. Would take a long time to tell what is known, it's of course available on the internet. Death sentences back then sounds dreadful.

      Delete
  4. The windmill is pretty impressive. Thanks for the tour, Oatlands looks like a very nice town.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The windmill was restored several years ago, Bill. It was of course a flour mill and my mother's father, my grandfather used to travel some distance on foot to the flour mill.

      Delete
  5. It looks lovely. The hospital that I (and my partner) and my father died in has been demolished.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Built close to the footpath with an English mindset, also homes without verandahs or eaves for sun and heat protection. But isn't just great to see that they remain and are well cared for. I note, no bright yellow and red on the chemist shop.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I expect the convicts who built those houses in Oatlands built them similar to their homeland. Thank goodness there are no bright colours on the chemist shop, as it is it fits in well.

      Delete
  7. An interesting read and post.
    Thank you for providing the map.
    Lovely photographs, I especially like the windmill.

    All the best Jan

    ReplyDelete
  8. Where are the tulips??????
    I love that song - "Tulips from Amsterdam" - not so sure about Amsterdam.
    A strange place - full of surprises and "houses of "ill-fame / pleasure"
    Trump and his lunatics would be overwhelmed - ha ha.
    Ah the memories of my trip - but I / preferred Denmark much more.
    And of course now - Tassie has a Queen there - Mary!

    Still rain here - especially at night.
    I hope that you have at long last got some.
    I guess you don't get that advertisement to visit Tassie in winter.
    It is really so funny. Going for a swim in the big freeze.
    Cheers
    Colin

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I suppose there are some in gardens - actually I don't have any in my garden but wouldn't mind a few, must look into it.
      You might find it hard to believe Colin, many visit Tasmania in the winter!
      Love rain in the nighttime, then the days are usually fine.
      I see a few countries on the other side of the equator have swimming in their winter.

      Delete
  9. The Chemist shop is pretty. Those old stone buildings are so sturdy and long lasting, today's quick built houses won't last half as long.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You are right about today's houses, they won't be standing in the same time frame R. I like the chemist shop it stands out but doesn't over do it.

      Delete
  10. Oatland looks beautiful and that mill is amazing! The first picture of mill is kinda moody and mysterious. I like it more.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I like the first pictures of the mill as well, it is moody.
      Beautiful mill and it was restored not too long ago.

      Delete
  11. I learn something each time you do a post like this one.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I'm sure the citizens are proud of these buildings.

    ReplyDelete
  13. The town's layout, with houses directly fronting the footpath, is a notable characteristic.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes it is notable and in many towns in Tasmania the homes are built next to the footpath.

      Delete
  14. Beautiful place.Really love the houses.And that hospital wow💖Must be great for you to see,as you were born there.I think I love Australia and Tasmania.Makes me want to travel and visit.Thank you for sharing wonderful photos from your life💖

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Was pleased to see the house/hospital where I was born, it's a good feeling.
      Tasmania is beautiful, a different scene around every corner.
      Thank you.

      Delete
  15. Eine Wunderschöne Mühle schön das sie und die anderen Häuser erhalten werden.
    Gruß
    Noke

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is a lovely mill Noke. I don't think the buildings will ever change in Oatlands and a few other towns here in Tasmania.

      Delete
  16. Me enamore de los molinos. Te mando un beso.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Tim and I visited this area when we were in Tassie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I hope you enjoyed it Jo-Anne, they the people are gradually getting the tourists there and catering for them.

      Delete
  18. Beautiful place and historical house. Success for your blog ok

    ReplyDelete
  19. The sandstone Georgian buildings are gorgeous, but how ironic they were mainly convict built. Were the convicts' lives celebrated when they died, or are their names even remembered?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. A good question Hels. Yes, many of the names have been written down - records - of the convicts who built many homes, public buildings and bridges, so some are remembered. People who do their family tree look for convicts who may have built these things, but of course there would be several convicts whose names were not known. I doubt when these buildings were finished their achievements would have been celebrated - many received a pardon though.

      Delete
  20. How interesting and very cool that they are still standing. I live in Las Vegas where everything seems to be built only for it to be blown up and torn down a few years later. So many of the Hotels here have been imploded to make way for new ones in the 35 years that I've lived here.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's a shame really that that has to be done, or the authorities believe it's best for that area. I suppose tourists like to see buildings looking more modern. Wouldn't it be good though to have those original old buildings there and of course made larger for todays people.

      Delete
  21. Thanks for this wonderful trip through Oatlands, a historic and interesting town. The architecture of the houses is very beautiful. I loved the windmill, it's so pretty!
    A fantastic Easter image created by AI at the bottow of your blog
    Happy Easter 🐣

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It certainly is a lovely windmill, Maria.
      Thanks re the AI's.

      Delete
  22. Fantastic Easter images created by AI at the bottow and at the top of your blog.
    Happy Easter 🐣my friend

    ReplyDelete
  23. Buen lugar . Me gustan las fotos Margaret . Lindas imágenes has creado.
    Te deseo una buena Pascua.
    Un abrazo.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Yes, it is, I am struck by those windmills and the sobriety of the buildings.
    Happy weekend.
    Best regards.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Hello Margaret,
    Great pictures. Nice to see all these for you special places. Nice that mill and that old hospital. The houses are big and so nice to see.
    Good shots!

    Many greetings and a happy easter,
    Marco

    ReplyDelete
  26. Oatlands sounds like a place filled with layers of history, from its convict-built buildings to its connection with your own personal story. The blend of architecture and significant landmarks like Callington Mill adds a unique charm to the town. It must be fascinating to reflect on the past, both in the town's history and in your own memories. www.melodyjacob.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My late parents came from two places near Oatlands so stories they have told me are many. Thank you Melody.

      Delete
  27. Hello Margaret
    I love windmills, I always regret that there are none in my area, which is a shame, they have some mystery and magic. Maybe it's a memory from childhood, from fairy tales or maybe I really did have something in common with windmills...
    Beautiful photos! and that blue sky! priceless! :)
    Happy Easter!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you. I'm always intrigued about windmills, this one was used for wheat back in the day.
      Happy Easter to you too.

      Delete
  28. Oatlands is such a cool spot! Love the mix of history and all the sandstone buildings. Callington Mill is awesome, and it’s crazy to think about the town’s role in the past. The houses right by the footpath give it such a unique vibe.

    Glorious photos as always, Margaret!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Veronica. Lovely old town and I do like those houses next to the footpath, there are a few places here where I live in the town with houses like that.

      Delete
  29. I love the windmills!! What a beautiful place to live...
    hugs
    Donna

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Rather a quiet place to live Donna, and cool in the winter as Oatlands his higher to where I live now.

      Delete
  30. That looks like such a beautiful place to visit.

    ReplyDelete
  31. What an interesting place to visit! I love windmills :)

    ReplyDelete
  32. Querida amiga, preciosas imágenes, me encantaron un poquito mas la del molino que asoma tras de la casa con rejas.
    Un placer visitarte.

    Oooo......♥Hola♥
    (....).... Oooo....♥querida amiga♥
    .\..(......(....)...que el amor
    ..\_)..... )../....llene tu vida y tu corazón
    .......... (_/.....paso a desearte, un...
    oooO
    (....).... Oooo....Feliz Día
    .\..(......(....)...Que esta Pascuas nos inspire a vivir
    ..\_)..... )../....con bondad, compasión y perdón hacia los demás.
    .......... (_/..... Dejando mi huella..

    ¡¡¡FELICES PASCUAS!!!
    Abrazos y te dejo un besito
    *♥♫♥**♥♫♥**♥♫♥*--*♥♫♥**♥*

    ReplyDelete
  33. Una bella serie de imagenes de arquitectura, amiga

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Ildefonso, very old houses and they do look good.

      Delete
  34. Uma evocação fotográfica que a leva até aos tempos de infância.
    Páscoa feliz.
    Abraço de amizade.
    Juvenal Nunes

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Happy Easter to you too. It's nice going back to where I was born.

      Delete
  35. Preciosos esos molinos y todo lo demás. En España también tenemos muchos molinos, como con los que luchó Don Quijote. Besos.

    ReplyDelete
  36. This is such an insightful look into Oatlands' rich history. The collection of Georgian buildings, particularly the Callington Mill, really highlights the town’s heritage and character.

    ReplyDelete
  37. Wow some really awesome and beautiful houses dear Margaret 👌🥰

    ReplyDelete
  38. Oops hit the publish mistakenly,
    The houses are so nice to fascinating, the house beside it footpath look similar as if they were built for some government employees community.
    Never saw such beautifully made chemist shop wow😍

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for calling and your comment.
"No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted." Aesop