Visit Oatlands

A dark history, a fabulous new whisky distillery and a seriously well preserved sandstone colonial village.

Our ultimate guide to outstanding Oatlands Tasmania 🥃

Where is Oatlands Tasmania?

Oatlands is located an hours drive or 84 kilometres directly north of Hobart, in the Southern Midlands of Tasmania. It’s a very short detour off National Highway 1 between Hobart and Launceston. It’s location makes for an excellent stop over on a Hobart to Launceston road trip.

Is Oatlands Tasmania worth visiting?

If you’re planning a holiday down here, you’ve probably never heard of Oatlands Tasmania. But if convicts, heritage buildings or whisky is your jam, it belongs on your itinerary.

Oatlands is known locally for its largely in-tact colonial era buildings.

It’s a quiet, walkable sandstone village with a real old world vibe, centred around a collection of buildings that tell a dark story of Tasmania’s convict past.

In fact, one of Hobart and the South’s best kept secrets, Oatlands has the largest number of buildings that pre-date 1837 of any town in Australia. You’ll also find the largest number of sandstone buildings of any town settlement here.

Oatlands rates alongside Ross, Richmond, Port Arthur and Campbell Town as a must see on Tasmania’s convict trail. But it’s less well known (at least for now), which makes it more attractive for travellers seeking an off-the-beaten path experience.

It’s also a lovely day trip destination from Hobart. Just 80km north, you can get to Oatlands from Hobart in an hour.

 

What is Oatlands Tasmania known for?

Oatlands is known for it’s important role in Tasmania’s convict history, for it’s unparalleled collection of well-preserved heritage Georgian sandstone buildings, and  for its significance in the region as a major flour mill.

And Oatlands’ historic past is securing its booming future.

You see, we can only see the popularity of Oatlands growing as a day trip destination.

Why? Because it’s gentrifying.

There’s the brand spanking new whisky distillery that sits boldly alongside Callington Mill. Imbibers, for tastings of local wine, spirits and beer. And a cool little providore recently opened called ‘Bunch’.

New establishments are moving in, bringing the distinct air of revival to this old sandstone town. But we’ll get to that in time…

First, we kick off our adventures on High Street, where there’s plenty to see and do on a day trip to Oatlands….

Oatlands is the hottest new Hobart day trip destination in 2024.

Top 5 Things to do in Oatlands Tasmania

1. Visit the old Mill

You’ll be drawn to the old Mill as you arrive in Oatlands. And rightly so. The impressively preserved sandstone & timber flour mill towers boldly over the village, like a beacon of it’s brooding past.

2. Lunch at Callington Mill Distillery

Callington Mill Distillery opened in 2022 and distills their own whisky and gin, under the Potergeist brand. Lunch is on the fine dining side. We had the delectable smoked pork belly and the sashimi was first rate also. 

3. Follow history through town

Oatlands’ buildings tell the story of its convict history. From the Courthouse, to the Millitary Precinct and past the old gaol, be transported back to harder, darker times in one of Van Diemens Land’s most notorious penal colonies.

 4. Admire the topiaries

Topiaries are a tradition in Oatlands. You’ll see them along High Street, grown by locals around sculptures made by Tasmanian Sculpter Stephen Walker.

5. Oh crepe!

Indulge your sweet tooth at Oatlands’ Pancake and Crepe Shop before heading back to Hobart. The Devonshire Tea is divine.

Tasmania Oatlands
Oatlands Tasmania
Oatlands Gaol

Oatlands day trip itinerary

Hobart to Oatlands

9AM Depart Hobart

Head out towards the Midland Highway for a leisurely 1 hour drive to Oatlands

10am High Stree Oatlands

Wander along High Street and stop in at one of Oatlands many cafes for coffee and cake.

11am Mill Precinct

Visit the Oatlands Windmill and the Mill Precinct, made up of 5 heritage buildings, the flour mill, the granary, a stable, the millers cottage and the mill owner’s house.

12pm Distillery tour and tasting

Take the Callington Mill Distillery tour to see Tasmania’s newest distilling technology up close.

Lunch

There’s some great options here. From fine dining at the distillery restaurant, to cheese and charcuterie at Imbibers. Or even traditional cafe fare.

2pm Wander the back streets

Stroll through the Millitary Precinct, visit the hauntingn old gaol site and marvel at the perfectly preserved sandstone courthouse.

3:30pm Time to refuel

Drop into The Pancake and Crepe Shop for Devonshire Tea to fuel up for the toad trip back to Hobart.

Callington Mill Distillery

There’s a certain ambiance within the walls of this new gin distillery. And it’s all about blending the old with the new.

 

 

 

 

Callington Mill Distillery
Callington Mill Distillery Lunch
Callington Mill Distillery food

The Oatlands Windmill Revival

From the moment the door latched shut behind us, I knew we were in for a fine meal at the Callington Mill Distillery Restaurant. Something about the austere, crisp, dark lines of the barn-shaped distillery building, contrasted against all of that old sandstone of the mill precinct. An odd but somehow fitting pairing that whispered ‘Class’. ‘History’. ‘Provenance’.

A provenance that is distinctly Tasmanian. You see, the original Oatlands mill (known as the ‘Oatlands windmill’) was also an illegal distillery on the side, making it the perfect site to revive Oatlands boozy history.

Callington Mill distillery also originates from deep within Tasmania’s whiskey distilling heritage. While only open since 2022, it’s story began 7 years prior. And names like ‘Shene’, ‘Lark’ and ‘Poltergeist’ are peppered through it’s heady history.

The distillery sits behind glass, an impressive backdrop to the restaurant itself.  Apparently it’s the most high tech of any whiskey distillery in Tassie. We didn’t do the distillery tour or tasting, although both are available. Tours are at 12 noon and bookable online. Tastings are of their single malt whiskies. I’d definitely do the whiskey tasting the next time we’re on our way to Hobart – 4 of their best single malts.

We had booked for lunch, and a sneaky gin. So that’s what we had. I ordered the smoked pork belly which was served, smoking under glass, at the table. Rich, tender and satisfying. I stuck with the original Poltergeist Gin, served with Tasmanian made tonic, of course. Unfiltered and a little cloudy, it’s the perfect introduction to quality Tasmanian gin.

Oatlands History

Oatlands Tasmania Accommodation

The best places to stay for a few nights in Oatlands

Raffah House $$$ – A luxury heritage stay in historic Oatlands, the finest the town has to offer. Sympathetically renovated to showcase the cottage’s history with a matching courtyard, stunning design internally and centrally situated. All class and reasonably priced.

Shepherds Rest $$$ – A character-filled farmstay in an old stone one bedroom cottage with sweeping views over rolling green paddocks. A place to slow down, sit by the wood fire and enjoy a glass of wine or a dram of fine single malt whiskey from the Oatlands distillery, Callington Mill. A quintessential Tasmanian country experience just 2.3km from Oatlands

Elm Cottage Barn $$$$ – Think immaculately restored Georgian sandstone cottage, elegant french provincial interiors, charming European garden. Perfectly walkable from the best things to see in Oatlands.

Oatlands Tasmania history

Cafes in Oatlands Tasmania

If you’re hanging for a coffee on the road from Launceston to Hobart (or vice versa), Oatlands is well represented with cool cafes to stop over at. So take that detour off National Highway 1, stretch your legs and here’s where to grab a cuppa:

The Pancake and Crepe Shop – traditional lunches, Devonshire tea, cake, crepes and coffee, in another beautiful sandstone building with a pretty wildflower garden 👉🏽.  And yes, we recommend you order the pancakes! $$

Vintage on High – character filled cafe with coffee, scrumptious cakes and lunch. Tasmanian home cooked vibes and friendly service $$

The Kentish – A restaurant that looks like a pub and serves up cafe fare too. A hearty all-day breakfast, good strong coffee & decent portions at a reasonable price $$

 

 

Oatlands Pancake and Crepe Shop
Oatlands History
Oatlands Tasmania Day trip

Oatlands Tasmania history

The tall tales of Solomon Blay

Oatlands has a colourful history. And it’s this that differentiates it from other Tasmanian settlements.  First established as a convict station, some bad-ass things happened here. At the Oatlands gaol to be exact.

Oatlands is well known as the home of Van Diemens Land’s most feared hangman, Solomon Blay.

And he was a busy man.

Blay was resident because Oatlands housed the only regional gaol in Tasmania where convicts were executed.

The gaol has since met its own demise, but stories of Oatlands ‘wall of infamy’ persist. Gruesome public hangings held at the gates of the gaol, like a goulish spectator sport. That is until private gallows were built.

All up, 18 men were executed in Oatlands.

 Oatlands Tasmania FAQs

Oatlands Tasmania restaurants

Is Oatlands worth visiting?

Yes. We found Oatlands a more interesting day trip destination than Richmond.

There are more historic buildings and sites around town from  Tasmania’s convict history.

But there are fewer shops to browse in Oatlands. So it’s not the same boutique village feel as Richmond.

The addition of the whisky distillery makes Oatlands a drawcard for day trippers. You can visit the mill precinct in the morning, before settling in at one of Oatlands’ many lunch spots or touring the distillery. To get a fuller picture of what went on here in colonial times, don’t miss a stroll about town and through Oatlands’ historic precincts.

Where to eat in Oatlands Tasmania?

If you’re day tripping, most of your eating will be breakfast to afternoon tea. The good news is, there’s something for everyone.

Here’s a list of breakfast / lunch spots in Oatlands, that we’ve tried:

  • Callington Mill Distillery Restaurant – fine dining, $$$$
  • The Pancake and Crepe Shop – traditional lunches, Devonshire tea, cake, crepes and coffee, $$Bunch – wood fired oven with lunch options but no specific menu – $$$
  • Vintage on High – character filled cafe with coffee, scrumptious cakes and lunch menu, $$
  • Imbibers – lunch cheeseboards, charcuterie accommpanied by great local booze what’s not to love?, $$$
  • The Kentish – restaurant that looks like a pub. All day breakfast, good strong coffee & friendly service, $$

Are there restaurants in Oatlands Tasmania?

There’s only three restaurants in Oatlands that we know of and two of them open for dinner. That’s The Kentish and a great little place called ‘Imbibers’.

The Mill restaurant is open until 4pm, so don’t expect to eat out there for dinner.

Imbibers is open til 8pm Thursday, and 9pm Friday and Saturday. It specialises in making tasty Tasmanian made produce taste even better.

The Kenish is a pub / restaurant that serves hearty, tasty meals at reasonable prices.

If you’re staying in town during the week, find accommodation that has cooking facilities or cooks meals in-house. There is an IGA for supplies.

Are there shops in Oatlands Tasmania?

Oatlands is not what we’d call a shopping destination. There’s not the cute little boutique retailers you find in Richmond. 

It was once the heat of wool growing in the midlands, so there are a couple of purveyors of wool clothing in town.

There’s also a well known antique and interiors store called the Jardin Room and Provincial Interiors. It’s worth browsing for it’s extensive collection of beautiful antique and period homewards, most of which come with a hefty price tag.  

Then there’s Tidbit and Morsel. A cute name for a surprising little shop that sells chocolates (and they’re yum!), Tasmanian fine foods, gifts and hampers. Well worth a browse!

If you like op shopping, you’ll also find a thrift store on High Street.