Longford
Town
Population 3030
Longford was established when numerous settlers from Norfolk Island were given land grants in the area in 1813. Fittingly, the district became known as Norfolk Plains, while the settlement itself was called Latour. Today Longford is classified as a historic town and serves the rich agricultural district just south of Launceston.
Visitor Information
JJ's Bakery at the Old Mill Cafe, 52 Wellington St; (03) 6391 2364
Nearby national parks
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Ben Lomond National Park
Ben Lomond National Park, enclosing the largest alpine plateau in the state, is a mountain environment with extensive and dramatic dolerite...more -
Mole Creek Karst National Park
Over 200 caves make up the Mole Creek karst system. The national park comprises a dozen separate blocks, creating a park almost as complex...more -
Walls of Jerusalem National Park
Walls of Jerusalem, the fourth largest and the most remote national park in Tasmania, is a stunning landscape of huge rock faces, ancient...more
Nearby towns
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Evandale
Just south of Launceston is this classified town, with beautiful buildings of historical and architectural importance. Cyclists come from...more -
Hadspen
Hadspen's best-known resident, Thomas Reibey III, became premier of Tasmania after being fired as archdeacon of Launceston's Church of...more -
Launceston
Tasmania's second-largest city and a busy tourist centre, Launceston lies nestled in northern hilly country where the Tamar, North Esk...more
In Town
Historic buildings These include the Queen's Arms (1835) in Wellington St, Longford House (1839) in Catherine St and the Racecourse Hotel (1840s) in Wellington St, which was originally built as a railway station then used as a hospital and later a pub, and in which a patron was murdered after stealing and swallowing 2 gold sovereigns from local farmhands. The Racecourse Hotel is now a guesthouse and restaurant. Also on Wellington St is Christ Church, an 1839 sandstone building with outstanding stained-glass windows, pioneer gravestones and a clock and bell presented by George VI. Path of History is the self-guide walk; brochure available from visitor centre.Walk: track along the South Esk River. The Village Green: originally the site of the town market, now a picnic and barbecue spot; Cnr Wellington and Archer sts.
Nearby
Woolmers Estate Woolmers was built c. 1817 by the Archer family, who lived there for 6 generations. Tours of the house, the outbuildings, the gardens and the National Rose Garden are conducted daily and the Servants Kitchen restaurant serves morning and afternoon teas. Lyell Hwy; (03) 6286 3332; 5 km S.Brickendon: historic Georgian homestead built in 1824, now a working farm and historic farm village; open Wed–Sun June–July, Tues–Sun Sept–May; 2 km S. Perth: small town with historic buildings, including Eskleigh and Jolly Farmer Inn, and market on Sun mornings; 5 km NE. Tasmanian Honey Company: tastings and sales of excellent range of honeys including leatherwood and flavoured varieties; 25A Main Rd, Perth; 5 km NE. Woodstock Lagoon Wildlife Sanctuary: 150 ha sanctuary for nesting waterfowl; 9 km W. Cressy: good fly-fishing at Brumby's Creek, especially in Nov when mayflies hatch; 10 km S.
Fishing spots near town
Lake River 31 km
‘Tasmania is in drought, we simply don’t have enough water,’ said my guide Roger Butler as we departed Hobart for Lake River, which joins the Macquarie River south of Launceston. We reached our... Find out moreArthurs Lake 47 km
Tasmanians claim that ‘even novices can catch trout in Arthurs Lake’. This probably explains why this waterway is Tasmania’s most popular trout fishery, hosting more anglers than any other water... Find out moreGreat Lake 55 km
A year-round trout fishery, Great Lake is one of Tasmania’s best known waters and a thriving centre for holiday homes. Brown trout were first released here in 1870 and they still dominate the fishery with an... Find out moreLittle Pine Lagoon 62 km
Little Pine Lagoon is not much to look at, but is highly regarded by fly-fishers for its springtime tailing trout and summer dun hatches. Some anglers rate it Tasmania’s premier fly-fishing water. This small water... Find out moreBronte System 84 km
Trout anglers probably already know that Tasmania’s Central Highland lakes are among the best in the world. Many offer fly- fishers an opportunity to sight-fish for tailing trout around the lake margins.... Find out moreSt Helens 101 km
Most mainlanders once regarded Tasmania’s east coast seaport of St Helens as a gamefishing destination, and little else. Anglers came here to head offshore in search of marlin, tuna and sharks. However, the... Find out moreSalmon Ponds 128 km
Most Australian trout anglers regard Tasmania as the nation’s premier trout destination. It’s like Tasmania was purpose-designed for trout, with hundreds of lakes and a cooler climate. Mother Nature... Find out moreTwin Lakes 134 km
I always thought the title of John Gierach’s entertaining book Where the Trout are all as Long as your Leg was a little farfetched, until I realised it related to a time when he was five years old. I am a little... Find out moreThe Springs 143 km
Visitors to Hobart who are short on time can get a trout fix less than 20 mins’ drive from the CBD at an exclusive fishery called The Springs. It is a year-round fishery and is restricted to a maximum of two... Find out moreFlinders Island 181 km
Flinders Island is halfway across Bass Strait. Air travel to the island is limited but it’s worth the effort. Most anglers who visit the island and sample the fishing return full of praise for the place. Flinders... Find out moreEco-friendly activities around town
Tamar Island 19 km
This important wetland habitat just 10 minutes from the heart of Launceston features a great bird-viewing hide, 3.2 kilometres of easy walking tracks and an interpretation centre.... Find out moreTrowunna Wildlife Park, Mole Creek 60 km
One of the most respected and long-running wildlife parks in Tasmania, Trowunna is involved in conservation, education and rehabilitation. There is a wide range of wildlife on display, including devils, reptiles, quolls... Find out moreForest Ecocentre, Scottsdale 60 km
The uniquely designed building is probably the key attraction here. Designed to use 20 per cent less energy than conventional structures, it has a building within a building, with a central funnel and large fan. Learn... Find out moreLow Head Penguin Tours 65 km
Every night at dusk this comprehensive but inexpensive tour takes visitors to a little penguin-nesting site near the mouth of the Tamar River, where you can watch the penguins waddle ashore to return to their nests. The... Find out morePlatypus Encounters, Latrobe 72 km
Three brothers almost single-handedly turned an old quarry site into one of the most reliable places in the world to see wild platypus. In fact, the guided tours have never failed to encounter a platypus in Warrawee... Find out moreTarkine Trails 82 km
Delve deeply into the temperate rainforest of the Tarkine Wilderness on a multi-day bushwalk with Tarkine Trails. Unashamedly made up of conservation activists, the company is keen to show you why the Tarkine area should... Find out moreGiant crayfish research, near Ulverstone 93 km
Tasmania has the largest freshwater crayfish in the world, and they can grow up to a metre in length, with claws that could cut a person’s hand off. You can go out on a research trip with the world’s expert... Find out moreGunns Plains Cave 97 km
Located just south-west of Gunns Plains (some 23 kilometres south-west of Ulverstone), this is yet another great limestone cave. It has one of the largest shawl formations in the Southern Hemisphere, glow worms aplenty... Find out moreThe Overland Track 98 km
Deservedly the most well-known, multiday walking route in Australia, this 65- to 80-kilometre route through Cradle Mountain– Lake St Clair National Park is a classic (for national park information, see park entry... Find out moreDiving and snorkelling along Tasmania's east coast 103 km
Although diving might not be your first thought when you head south to Tasmania, the temperate waters usually provide much greater visibility than tropical waters, and offer a surprisingly rich and diverse range of flora... Find out moreGolf courses around town
Barnbougle Dunes Links 72 km
Bridport used to be a sleepy fishing village on Tasmania’s north-east coast. That all changed in 2004. In December of that year Barnbougle Dunes Links opened for play on the eastern outskirts of town – and... Find out moreBarnbougle Dunes Links (Lost Farm course) 73 km
When Barnbougle Dunes opened for play in 2004 it did have a few critics who suggested it was too far away from the golfing masses to be financially successful. How wrong they were. If a golf course is good enough,... Find out moreTasmania Golf Club 138 km
The challenge a golf course presents can often be measured by the quality of player it produces. At Tasmania Golf Club, the name Goggin crops up regularly on the honour boards. Lindy Goggin, a three-time Australian... Find out moreRoyal Hobart Golf Club 143 km
Royal Hobart Golf Club has come a long way from humble beginnings. It started out at Sandy Bay, not far from where Wrest Point Casino stands today, in 1896. Known as the Newlands course, it was an incredible par- 89:... Find out moreCafes & restaurants around town
It doesn’t get more romantic than dinner for two at Longford’s famous Racecourse Inn Restaurant. This elegant dining spot serves up some enticing dishes, catering for non-guests of the inn if bookings are... Find out more
Nearby eco-friendly places to eat
Purple Possum Wholefoods and Cafe 89 km
Purple Possum is in the great little town of St Marys, midway between St Helens and Bicheno. The cafe is wholly vegetarian, and you can take away a range of organic fruit and vegetables and locally grown supplies.... Find out moreNearby breweries
Boag's (J.Boag & Son) 19 km
With several different owners over the past 100 years, J. Boag and Son typifies the sometimes turbulent history of Australian brewing and the minor miracle of surviving at all into the 21st century. Scotsman James Boag... Find out moreIron House Brewery 100 km
When White Sands Resort came on the market a few years ago it proved too tempting for Devonport businessman John White, who already runs several companies bearing his surname. Rebranded as White Sands Estate, the... Find out moreTwo Metre Tall Company 126 km
Ashley Huntington actually is 2 metres tall – probably taller if you include his mop of curly hair – and his generous height is also the name for the craftbrewing enterprise he runs from the Derwent... Find out moreMoo Brew 135 km
With its striking, glass and steel brewhouse perched high above the Derwent River, Moo Brew is probably the best-appointed microbrewery in the land. It’s also part of Moorilla Estate, situated on the outskirts of... Find out moreCascade Brewery 144 km
It’s impossible not to wax lyrical about the Cascade Brewery. It is the oldest working brewery in the country, one of the quaintest-looking industrial buildings and it’s located in the most picturesque of... Find out moreCampsites around town
Andy’s Motorhome and Camper Park 25 km
Behind Westbury’s 24 hr bakery cafe, this motorhome park is a convenient stopover 30 min from Launceston, with great facilities including a laundry, dump point and wireless hotspot. While you’re here, check... Find out moreLower Liffey Reserve campsite 30 km
Liffey Falls is a series of beautiful waterfalls – all of which can be viewed from observation decks – cascading through dense myrtle rainforest on the edge of the Great Western Tiers. Access is via Lake Hwy... Find out moreMyrtle Park Recreation Ground 38 km
This delightful camping area is next to the pretty St Patricks River in the little township of Targa, about halfway between Launceston and Scottsdale on the Tasman Hwy A3. The camping area is beside riverbank willows,... Find out moreLilydale Falls Reserve camping area 42 km
In the middle of Tasmania’s north-eastern wine region, 2.5 km north of the little township of Lilydale on Golconda Rd B81, this pleasant campground has shady sites beneath a parkland of mature trees. The... Find out moreBen Lomond camping area 42 km
At the picnic area beside the road, 1 km inside the park boundary, there are 6 camping sites in an area of beautiful lowland gums, mountain pepper bushes and snowberries. To get to the park, take the C401 towards Upper... Find out moreJonah Bay campground 43 km
Anglers come to this lake more than any other in Tasmania for its wild brown trout. The average catch rate is 2 fish per angler per day, so few go away disappointed. The camping areas are clustered around the boat ramp... Find out moreBush camping 46 km
Bushwalkers can camp anywhere in the park, as long it is at least 500 m from any road. You’ll need to carry drinking water and a fuel stove, and be prepared for all weather conditions. Walkers should register at... Find out morePumphouse Bay camping ground 48 km
This beautifully maintained, scenic campground beside Arthurs Lake has open grassed areas among the trees which are perfect for larger rigs. The lake is not just for anglers; campers of all kinds love this place,... Find out moreWoods Lake camping area (bush camping) 53 km
Woods is an all-round angling water with a naturally sustained population of brown trout. There are bush camping sites between the boat ramp and the dam wall, as well as around the north-eastern edge of the lake. No... Find out moreCaravan parks around town
Longford Riverside Caravan Park 2 km
This park, with good amenities, is located on the banks of the Macquarie River, only a few hundred metres from the centre of town. Bookings are required in peak periods.... Find out moreTreasure Island Caravan Park 17 km
Launceston has just this one caravan park. It is about 2 km south of the city centre and is easily accessible from the freeway when approaching from the south. The park has good facilities and is a good base to use when... Find out moreDeloraine Apex Caravan Park 40 km
With good facilities, this park is about a oneand- a-half hour drive to Cradle Mountain and about half that to Great Lake. There are good bushwalks in the area. Bookings are required in peak periods.... Find out moreRoss Caravan Park 56 km
Close to the centre of town, on the banks of the Macquarie River and adjoining historic buildings, this small, appealing park is one of the better parks in the midlands. Bookings are required in peak periods.... Find out moreLow Head Tourist Park 63 km
A lot of recent development has transformed this into an attractive park. There are large grassy areas, and most facilities for the discerning traveller are here. Bookings are required in peak periods.... Find out moreBIG4 Kelso Sands Holiday Park 63 km
The park is set on a large expanse of grassy, maintained grounds and includes a small golf course. It has good amenities, a wellstocked store and a great outlook over the broad estuary of the River Tamar. Wombats... Find out morePort Sorell Lions Caravan Park 68 km
This popular beachfront park is owned and operated by the Lions Club. It is close to the centre of town, adjacent to the boat ramp and ideal for family holidays. It is an easy drive to the Devonport ferry terminal from... Find out moreBay View Holiday Village 78 km
Close to the beach on the east side of Devonport, this park is just a short drive to the Spirit of Tasmania ferry terminal. Bookings are required in peak periods.... Find out moreAbel Tasman Caravan Park 79 km
Located just a couple of blocks from the Spirit of Tasmania terminal, this park has obvious benefits for those arriving or departing by the boat. The park has sites to cater for all size rigs and is ideal for a longer... Find out moreBIG4 Ulverstone Holiday Park 93 km
This is a good quality park with spacious grassy areas and a range of facilities, about 1 km from the town centre and close to the surf club on East Beach. Bookings are required in peak periods.... Find out moreHotels, motels & B&Bs around town
Longford Boutique Accommodation
With its imposing Georgian street frontage, you’d be forgiven for thinking this 1865 building is Longford’s bank or post office. Instead, it houses an elegant three-bedroom B&B furnished with period... Find out moreOne wing of this handsome sandstone homestead is a luxurious two-bedroom apartment, where guests can relax in the elegant surroundings of one of Australia’s finest heritage estates. Dating back to 1835, and set among... Find out more
With roses trailing over its convict-made brickwork, this picture-perfect two-storey Georgian B&B is steeped in the history of Longford, itself one of the earliest villages settled in Tasmania. Each suite is... Find out more
This grand estate was held by six generations of Archers from 1817 until the last heir bequeathed it – seemingly unchanged since colonial times – as a historic site in 1994. In the picturesque grounds there... Find out more
Eco-friendly places to stay around town
Rainbow Retreat 92 km
The owners of this 30-hectare nature reserve at St Marys are wildlife carers who rehabilitate then release wildlife on the property, so there are plenty of their old friends wandering around, including wombats,... Find out moreMountain Valley, Loongana 98 km
Mountain Valley is off the beaten tourist track, situated around 64 kilometres south-west of Devonport (due south of Burnie). Visitors here stay in rustic cabins with open fireplaces on a private and remote 60-hectare... Find out moreWaldheim Cabins 98 km
You can steal a march on everyone else in the morning by staying in historic cabins at a beautiful spot within Cradle Mountain–Lake St Clair National Park, operated by the Parks and Wildlife Service. The cabins are... Find out moreCradle Mountain Lodge 99 km
Live in the lap of luxury – old style – with a warm and welcoming central lodge, surrounded by individual cabins. Like nearly any large lodge, it does not have a perfect environmental record, but this... Find out moreCurringa Farm 109 km
Near Hamilton, about an hour’s drive west of Hobart, this eco-accredited 300-hectare property gives visitors a taste of sustainable farming practices.Give a couple of day’s notice and you can tour the farm,... Find out morePeppermint Ridge Retreat, Woodbridge 174 km
Even without the stunning views over the D’Entrecasteaux Channel from 6-metre-high windows, the pademelons that hop around, or the free-range eggs and organic vegetable garden that guests are allowed to raid in... Find out moreRest areas around town
Perth Park Area 6 km
North side of town Parking area adjacent to the highway. Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S41 34.286 E147 10.184... Find out moreConara Rest Area 37 km
11 km N of Campbell Town (L) or 37 km S of Perth (R) Large area just off the highway on the road into town. Good facilities and shade. GPS: S41 49.805 E147 26.332... Find out moreMyrtle Park Camp Area 39 km
31 km SW of Scottsdale (R) or 31 km NE of Launceston (L) Large grassed camp area just off the highway on the banks of St Patrick’s River. Kiosk and telephone nearby. Good facilities and shade. GPS: S41 18.664... Find out moreJonah Bay Camp Area 43 km
T/O 13 km SE of Miena (L) or 43 km NW of Bothwell (R) Large area in a natural bush setting on edge of the lake 10 kilometres north of the highway via Poatina Road and Gunns Marsh Road. NOTE: Access road part... Find out moreSideling Lookout Park Area 47 km
17 km SW of Scottsdale (L) or 45 km NE of Launceston (R) Small area adjacent to the highway with good views over the surrounding countryside. Good facilities. GPS: S41 15.440 E147 25.844... Find out moreCampbell Town Rest Area 48 km
South side of town Large grassed area just off the highway on the banks of the river. Limited shade. GPS: S41 55.922 E147 29.372... Find out morePumphouse Bay Camp Area 49 km
T/O 13 km SE of Miena (L) or 43 km NW of Bothwell (R) Large open area on edge of the lake 6 kilometres north of the highway via Poatina Road. NOTE: Access road part unsealed. GPS: S41 59.977 E146 51.076... Find out moreRoss Park Area 56 km
South side of town Very small area at the historic bridge well off the highway on the road into the township. GPS: S42 01.876 E147 29.401... Find out moreParramatta Creek Rest Area 58 km
26 km NW of Deloraine (L) or 17 km SE of Latrobe (R) Pleasant area just off the highway among some large trees on the bank of the creek. Good facilities and shade. GPS: S41 19.830 E146 31.826 ... Find out moreLagoon of Islands Rest Area 58 km
T/O 20 SE of Miena (L) or 36 km NW of Bothwell (R) Large area located 4 kilometres east of the highway (turn off at Steppes) on the shores of the lake. NOTE: Access road unsealed. GPS: S42 06.677 E146 56.163... Find out moreScottsdale Rest Area 59 km
East side of town Large area just off the highway. Very good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S41 09.977 E147 31.380... Find out moreLittle Pine Lagoon Camp Area 61 km
T/O at Miena via Marlborough Highway Small camping area located 12 kilometres south-west of Miena. NOTE: Access road part unsealed. GPS: S42 00.005 E146 36.661... Find out moreBlackburn Creek Rest Area 65 km
29 km SE of Miena (R) or 27 km NW of Bothwell (L) Large open area adjacent to the highway. Limited shade. GPS: S42 10.356 E146 54.285... Find out moreSt Peters Pass Rest Area 75 km
8 km N of Oatlands (R) or 28 km S of Ross (L) Small area just off the highway. Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S42 14.547 E147 24.317 ... Find out moreDerby Park Area 77 km
North side of town Small parking area adjacent to the highway on the banks of the river. Good facilities and shade. GPS: S41 08.517 E147 47.843 ... Find out moreOatlands Rest Area 80 km
North side of town Narrow open areas on the banks of a shallow lake just off the main street. GPS: S42 18.042 E147 22.559 ... Find out moreBronte Lagoon Rest Area 82 km
28 km SE of Derwent Bridge (R) or 21 km N of Tarraleah (L) Small area adjacent to the highway on the shores of the lagoon. GPS: S42 10.777 E146 30.033... Find out moreBradys Lake Camp Area 87 km
36 km SE of Derwent Bridge (L) or 13 km N of Tarraleah (R) Small open grassy area located 1 kilometre off the highway on the shores of the lake. No facilities or shade. GPS: S42 13.920 E146 29.820... Find out morePub with no Beer Rest Area 87 km
3 km SE of Bothwell (R) or 18 km NW of Midland Hwy (L) Large open area adjacent to the highway. Limited shade. GPS: S42 23.293 E147 02.645 ... Find out moreScamander Forest Camp Area 94 km
T/O at Beaumaris Small camp area 11 kilometres west of Beaumaris via Skyline Drive among trees on Trout Creek. Good shade. GPS: S41 26.114 E148 13.532... Find out moreNive River Rest Area 95 km
44 km SE of Derwent Bridge (R) or 5 km N of Tarraleah (L) Small area adjacent to the highway on the riverbank. Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S42 17.921 E146 27.511... Find out moreLagoon Beach Camp Area 98 km
29 km N of Bicheno (R) or 28 km S of Scamander (L) Large camp area well off the highway with numerous secluded sites in the scrub between the lagoon and the beach. Good shade. NOTE: Access road unsealed. GPS: S41... Find out moreShelly Point Camp Area 98 km
4 km N of Scamander (R) or 14 km S of St Helens (L) Small camp area located just off the highway in the scrub near the foreshore. NOTE: Campervans only. GPS: S41 26.114 E148 13.532... Find out moreDenison Beach Rest Area 99 km
6 km N of Bicheno (R) or 51 km S of Scamander (L) Very small secluded area adjacent to the highway surrounded by scrub near the foreshore. GPS: S41 49.639 E148 15.901... Find out moreSwansea Park Area 99 km
South side of town Small parking area on the Esplanade. Good facilities. GPS: S42 07.865 E148 04.538 ... Find out moreLittle Beach Camp Area 99 km
32 km N of Bicheno (R) or 25 km S of Scamander (L) Large area just off the highway near the beach. Limited shade. GPS: S41 37.574 E148 18.736 ... Find out moreSt Helens Park Area 100 km
South side of town on the foreshore Small parking area on the foreshore adjacent to the highway. Good facilities. GPS: S41 20.455 E148 15.812... Find out morePaddys Island Camp Area 100 km
8 km N of Scamander (R) or 10 km S of St Helens (L) Very small campground located just off the highway in the scrub. NOTE: Campervans only. GPS: S41 23.716 E148 17.340... Find out moreCressy Beach Park Area 101 km
44 km NE of Triabunna (R) or 5 km SW of Swansea (L) Small secluded area just off the highway on the foreshore. GPS: S42 10.149 E148 04.429 ... Find out moreDianas Basin Camp Area 102 km
T/O 10 km N of Scamander (R) or 8 km S of St Helens (L) Large area well off the highway between the basin and the beach with numerous secluded campsites located in the scrub. Good shade. NOTE: Access road unsealed. ... Find out moreWhat's on around town
Longford Picnic Day Races: held at the oldest operating racecourse in Australia; Jan.
Blessing of the Harvest Festival: celebration of the rural tradition with parade and Sheaf Tossing Championships; Mar.