ROSS

Tasmania at the crossroads

Temptation, damnation, or just a scallop pie…

Culture vultures will be keen to check out what’s known as the ‘Four Corners of Ross’ Tasmania.  Located at the crossroads of Ross’ two main streets – Church Street and Roseneath Rd, this isn’t just your average historical spot; it’s a trip through the wild side of Tassie’s past, served with a side of mystery and fun.

The story goes, you can find temptation, damnation, salvation or recreation at the crossroads in Ross – depending on which corner you chose….

The Man O’ Ross Hotel: Temptation

The northeast corner is where it’s at – The Man O’ Ross Hotel, a.k.a ‘Temptation.’ Back in the day, this was the chill spot for a drink and some banter. Think of it as the 19th-century version of your fav pub, where the vibes were always high, and the nights, a little risqué.

The Old Gaol: Damnation

Take a hop over to the southeast, and you’ll find yourself sentenced to ‘Damnation.’ This used to be the Ross jail and police station. A place where convicts were condemned to living hell, back in the day.

Roman Catholic Church: Salvation

Swing over to the southwest corner, and you’re headed for ‘Salvation’ at the Roman Catholic Church. This spot was all about hope and spiritual swag, offering a light in the dark times. It’s where the people of Ross once sought out peace and maybe some divine inspo.

Town Hall: Recreation

Finally, strut your stuff over to the northwest for a good ol’ time at the old Town Hall. This was the OG community hub, where people came to chill and socialize. It was all about good times and community feels.

Each corner of Ross tells a story of its former glory. A snapshot of history with a twist in the tale, making Ross a fun stop-over.

What to do in Ross Tasmania

Things to do in Ross Tasmania

Ross Village Bakery

Call in and grab a sweet treat and a coffee. Sit outside and soak up all the feels of Ross’ stunning tree-lined main street – a worthy backdrop to the town’s charming heritage.

Ross Uniting Church

Ross uniting church

The Ross Uniting Church is up for private sale. Peek your head in at it’s spectacular timber crafted ceiling while you still can!

What to do in Ross Tasmania

Historic Buildings

Wander past one of the many heritage buildings that line Ross’ main street – Church Street. If you’re there on the weekend, marvel at the curios in Ross’ vintage and antique shops. 

Is ross tasmania worth visiting?

Ross is the perfect rest stop between Hobart and Launceston

Most visitors stop at Campbell Town to break the Hobart to Launceston journey.  Why? Campbell Town is on the highway and it’s easy to pull in and grab a coffee. But they miss Ross, just a few kilometres away.

💡💡 Insider travel tip: Stop at Ross instead!

Ross is just a few kilometres south of Campbell Town and we think a much more interesting, cool little town.

How to spend your time in Ross

Call in to the Ross Village Bakery for coffee, breakfast, lunch or a sweet treat. Sit outside if the weather is good and soak up the atmosphere of Ross’ charming, tree lined main street.

Wander down Church Street and spend an hour or two checking out the local history – Ross was literally at the crossroads of the great divide, when Tasmania was split into 2 administrative counties back in 1804. There’s an excellent outdoor display nearby the public bathrooms where you can still see remnants of that divide today.

Explore the three grand old churches and ‘Female Factory‘ historic site. There’s even an old colonial sandstone quarry where the rock was sourced for the Ross Bridge and and other heritage buildings in town.

Where to eat in Ross Tasmania

There’s really only 2 spots to eat in Ross. And one specialty item people stop in for.

The famous Tassie Scallop pie!

Ross Village Bakery was the first place we had one of these and I’m self-confessed a fence sitter when it comes to this Tassie culinary masterpiece.  It wasn’t as tasty as the name promises.

Why scallop pies are a specialty in this inland town I’ve never quite worked out…

The pie comes curried most of the time although there is a mornay version.. 

The good news is, if scallop pie is not your jam, there’s plenty of other tasty pastry = in the towns 2 bakeries. The bad news is, these 2 locations and the Ross Hotel (standard pub fare) are really the only places to eat in town!

 

Ross Village Bakery
Ross Scallop Pie

42° South

More things to do in Ross Tasmania

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Ross Colonial divide

the Colonial Divide

 You can still see the boundary lines that pitted North against South today. An age old rivalry that some say continues to this day between Launceston and Hobart.

Ross Tasmania History

Straddle 42° South

This line marks 42° South – the latitude of Tassie’s North / South divide. Straddle the line & you’ve got a foot in each of Counties Cornwall & Buckinghamshire.

Ross Tasmania Heritage Buildings

wander past heritage buildings

Ross is another heritage town where the streets are lined with sandstone Georgian buildings; some grand, other’s humble, but all of them oozing that old town charm.

 

Ross Church Tasmania

Visit St Johns Anglican church

Three old churches stand tall about the Ross skyline. All of them a worth a wander. Start here at the Anglican church in… you guessed it, Church Street.

Where is Ross Tasmania?

Ross is located 1.5 hours northeast of Hobart, just off the highway between Hobart and Launceston. It’s 10 minutes south of Campbell Town or an hour south of Launceston.

Ross is an heritage inland town, part of the ‘Southern Midlands’ area.

 

What to do in Ross Tasmania?

You can spend a good couple hours or half a day in Ross, mostly visiting it’s heritage buildings and learning about it’s important role and strategic geographical position in Tasmania’s colonial history

There’s also a few vintage and antique shops to visit.

Or you can drop in for a hearty bite to eat at the bakeries or the Ross Hotel.

 

What to see in Ross Tasmania?

An impressive list of historical and heritage buildings and structures dating back to the 1800s:

– The Ross Bridge (1836)

– Roman Catholic, Anglican and Uniting Churches (circa 1860s on)

– Stables for Military Garrison Horses and The Barracks (1830)

– Meaghers Cottage (1840), Macquarie House (1840), Orderly Room Cottage (1830)

 

 

 

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