Oatlands Tasmania: Things To Do, Accommodation & More

Oatlands is a historic town located in Tasmania, that is known for its well-preserved colonial architecture and rich history. Located along the shores of Lake Dulverton, the town is 84 km north of Hobart and 115 km south of Launceston. The city has “Australia’s largest collection of sandstone buildings”, with many dating back to the early 19th century. Callington Mill, built in 1837 is one of the finest tourist attractions Southern Hemisphere.

Although this unique town rarely gets its mention in the list of the best places to visit in Tasmania, trust me it’s one of the best towns with so much of pretty landscape and unique history. As per the latest survey in 2021, the town only has a population of around 730.

Here, we have provided a detailed guide about the best things to do in Oatlands Tasmania. If you are planning to visit the town anytime soon then you are at the right place.

Oatlands Tasmania Weather

Season	Months	Average Low (°C)	Average High (°C)
Summer	Dec – Feb	9	23
Autumn	Mar – May	5	17
Winter	Jun – Aug	1	11
Spring	Sep – Nov	5	17

Oatlands typically have a cool temperate climate throughout the whole year. Summers are generally mild, while winters can be quite cold & chilly, with occasional frosts and snowfall. Besides that, the town is known for being one of the coldest places in Tasmania.

Average temperatures range from 8°C (46°F) in winter to about 23°C (73°F) in summer while the rainfall is relatively low compared to other parts of Tasmania, with an annual average of about 500-600mm (20-24 inches).

The area’s climate is influenced by its inland location and elevation from the sea level, contributing to its distinct weather patterns compared to the coastal regions of Tasmania.

Oatlands Tasmania History

Founded back in 1821, Oatlands Tasmania is a historic town with deep roots in Australia’s colonial past. Originally the town was inhabited by the Paredarerme people and later on it became a significant military outpost and convict settlement in the early 19th century.

The town is well-known for its well-preserved Georgian architecture and has the largest collection of sandstone buildings in a Georgian village setting in Australia. Callington Mill, which was built in 1837, is one the most popular and prestigious locations in Oatland Tasmania.

Oatlands also played a crucial role as a stopover between Hobart and Launceston and contributed majorly as an important agricultural center, mainly for wool production. Today, it stands as a living testament to Tasmania’s colonial heritage, attracting history enthusiasts and tourists alike.

Things To Do in Oatlands Tasmania

Explore the Historic Sandstone Buildings

Having the largest collection of sandstone buildings in Australia, the place is perfect to have a long stroll and watch the magnificent architecture of the Victorian era. Exploring these buildings is like stepping back in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.

More than 80 such buildings still stand along the main street and are repurposed(converted) into private residences, cafes, bakeries, antiques, craft stores, and shops. Most of them are owned and operated by the National Trust of Tasmania.

Pay a Visit to Lake Dulverton

Lake Dulverto is a perfect location to go for bird watching, trout fishing, BBQs, and picnics with your friends and family. Being stretched over 230 hectares of area, it’s a great location to have a peaceful walk in nature as you walk along the lake. On the edge of the town, the lake has some half submerged sculptures.

Many people still believe that Lake Dulverton is a man-made lake but that’s not the truth. In the early 1800s, the lake was originally named “Lake Frederick”, but in 1827, convicts built an earthen part and stone dam to increase water storage in the lake and make it bigger.

Explore the Callington Mill

Being built in 1837, Callington Mill is one of the most popular and the only fully operational Lincolnshire tower mills in the Southern Hemisphere. It’s the oldest testament to the early colonial period of Tasmania.

Visitors can book a guided tour of the mills to learn how they used to work back in the early 1900s. If you are a history freak then you can’t afford to miss this place.

Checkout the Oatlands Military Precinct

The town has many well preserved areas that include Oatlands Gaol, the Court House, and the Commissariat Store. These places will provide a glimpse of how life used to be, especially for convicts back in the early 19th century.

The Town also has a Heritage Museum located in the old courthouse, which has a rare collection of artifacts and exhibits that tell the story of Oatlands and the surrounding Midlands region.

As you walk along the street, it will bring you to the Oatlands goal which was also built by the convicts in 1835.

Stroll Around the Gardens

Almost all the recipients in the town have gorgeous gardens, no matter which season you are visiting you can check them at any time of year (almost all over Tasmania) due to its colder climate. Thus it makes walking around the town such a pleasure experience to see the beautiful results of the residents’ gardening skills.

Go For Camping

Oatlands have two free camping sites where anyone can park their camper vans for upto 72 hours and use other facilities like free public toilets and RV dump points to discharge their waste. If you are planning to explore the town via renting a camper van then you might want to stop at these Camping sites.

Try Out Some Local Produce

Whenever you are planning to explore this amazing town be sure to stop at some cosy cafes to try out the best of the local produce the town has to offer. When I visited the town back in 2022, I enjoyed my meal at Kentish Tasmania and really liked the food as well as the ambiance of the place.

If you are fond of sweets and cakes then the ‘Oatlands Pancake and Crepe Shop’ will be heaven for you. The shop is immensely popular for its delicious pancakes and they also have a lovely menu of light meals and drinks.

Browse Local Antique Shops

Oatlands has a lot of old Antique Shops where you can find some of the rarest and oldest artifacts. They also have a lot of souvenirs that visitors can buy as a memory of their enjoyable trip to Oatlands Tasmania.

Attend the Oatlands Spring Festival

If you’re visiting the town somewhere around October, don’t forget to attend the annual event of Oatland featuring markets, live music, and community activities. It’s a great way to experience local culture and meet friendly locals & know more about their culture.

Explore the St Peter’s Church

Built back in 1837, this Anglican church is a fine example of colonial church architecture. Being an old monument in the town, the place is totally worth exploring. Besides the church, there is an old cemetery that still contains graves dating back to the early 19th century.