Port Arthur /Historic Architecture., Hobart

Favorite thing: North of Hobart there is a series of villages, all of them historic. They include the famous Ross and Campbell Town amongst others but you'll notice smaller ones just off the highway that are also worth a visit. Jericho, for instance, has the grave of the first Australian born Victoria Cross winner.
Situated 84 kms north of Hobart or 117 kms south of Launceston, Oatlands has the largest collection of sandstone buildings (138) in a village setting in Australia. 87 of these line both sides of the main street.
The town has a very nice relaxed character and feel and provides free camping overlooking a lagoon on the eastern side.
The free self guided walking tour is excellent. Descriptive plaques on many historical buildings are enlightening as well.

Fondest memory: Oatlands was established as a military garrison in 1827 and, probably its most famous building, the Callington Mill, is the third oldest windmill and one of only four to survive in Australia, was built 10 years after the garrison was established. The mill closed during the 1890's but today is open daily for inspection.
There are self-guided tours available from the tourist information centre and, as the town is pretty flat, that makes a good option.
There are also nightly ghost and convict tours for the more adventurous.
Weeding, no, that's not a verb, it's a proper noun. What the lady's doing is stoning. Please explain?
So, one fine day in Oatlands a lady called Maria (something about her) decided that she would become the saviour of the fences - stone that is. Thus she taught herself about that grand traditional art of dry stone walling. In fact, she became so good at it that at least 13 other ladies in the town also became interested to the point where these days Maria Weeding and the resurrected walls have become something of a minor tourist attraction and received more than a little publicity along the way.

Favorite thing: visit the famed Port Arthur Historic Site (circa 1830... I think!) situated on the Tasman Peninsula here in Tasmania, Australia. This was formerly a penal settlement rich in history of Australia's convict past... Today, this site has become a MAJOR tourist attraction. Hm.... For the brave souls amongst us, you can also join tours to visit this place at night. I think they call it the 'ghost tour' or something... Not too sure. You must check with your hotel concierge O.K? No... We didn't join this particular 'ghost tour' because my parents and uncle/ aunt were with us... and both my sister and I had to be at our BEST behavior! :-)))))

Favorite thing: Port Author, a historical site of the large Island of Tasmania, built by convicts for convicts in the early 1800's.

Favorite thing: How old do you think this church is at Swansea?
I mean..how old does it look? 300 years? 500 years perhaps? Well no....it dates back only some 130 years, but it holds histories charm.

Favorite thing: Port Author is said to be haunted, and this place does have some famous ghost tours, interesting enough..but the building is beautiful.