Longford is 20km south of Launceston, set amongst a fertile agricultural land it is a hub for the local farming community. From 1953 to 1968 Longford would be abuzz every year as the town’s population swelled with spectators who came to watch the Australian Grand Prix. Known as the fastest motor racing circuit in the Southern Hemisphere at the time, the Longford Circuit attracted some of the great drivers and riders of the era.
Much of Longford's original architecture remains largely intact today with many of the buildings in use as residences, shops, and eateries. Just a short drive out of town you'll find the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Brickendon and Woolmers Estate. Brickendon is a fascinating farm village with a colonial homestead, farm animals and heritage gardens. Woolmers is acknowledged as one of the most outstanding examples of nineteenth-century rural settlements in Australia, it is home to the National Rose Garden with over 5,000 rose bushes across a 2-hectare garden it is one of the finest collections of historic roses in the Southern Hemisphere.
Stop in at JJ’s Bakery for a famous Tassie Scallop Pie, grab a map from the Visitor Centre located in the bakery and plan a self-guided walking tour of Longford. Add an element of intrigue to your walk with Skulduggery ‘Where There’s Smoke’ a detective game that lets you solve a real-life mystery from these parts that occurred in 1831. Skulduggery is available to purchase from the Northern Midlands Council.
Explore Christ Church, one of Australia’s oldest churches and burial grounds it was built in 1839. The churchyard still has the original lychgate and the stained glass windows of the church were designed by William Archer of Woolmers. The arboretum was planted in the 1830s by Dr Appleyard, who dreamed of growing every tree in the bible.
If you have worked up an appetite, stock up on fresh produce from a local providore and head down to the river’s edge to relax and unwind, watching the wildlife float by on the river's currents.