It’s hard to believe you’re only 15 minutes’ drive from central Launceston in the leafy little town of Evandale, blessed with beautiful 19th century buildings and plenty of charming things to see and do.
Pause for an hour or a day in this picturesque Tasmanian heritage village and discover it all.
Evandale Sunday Market
Once a week, this usually quiet village springs to life for the popular Evandale Sunday Market. Find everything from fresh produce to pastries, handcrafted creations and vintage clothes, books and bric-a-brac ! plus pony rides! Another Sunday favourite is the miniature-train rides operated by local rail enthusiasts. They drive a variety of little locos, including heritage steam engines.
Evandale Village Fair
The really big day is in February, when the Evandale Village Fair delivers even more market stalls as well as vintage cars, live entertainment, kids activities, folks in colonial costumes and a grand parade. The highlight is the National Penny Farthing Championships, which sees riders in vintage attire racing through the streets on these old-fashioned bicycles, but there’s also fun-focused events like races for novices.
Even on quiet days it’s worth visiting this town classified by the National Trust to see its Georgian and Victoria buildings. Standouts include an 1826 home called Fallgrove, and the 1840 neoclassical St Andrews Church. Get advice from the Evandale Visitor Information and History Centre to discover them all.
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Where to eat and drink
Some of Evandale’s oldest buildings are also the best places for bites and beverages. Built in 1842, the Clarendon Arms is like an old English pub, from the open fire, wooden furniture and stained glass to Sunday roasts with Yorkshire pudding. The menu’s loaded with hearty gastropub fare like Tassie fish with fat chips, and beef and ale pies. Or try the pub classics at the family friendly Prince of Wales Hotel, built in 1836.
Ingleside Bakery Cafe and its courtyard garden is another favourite for delicious food in heritage surrounds. Allow time for breakfast or lunch, but at least pop in for coffee, cake and a tempting look at their gourmet products including jams and oils.
Where to shop
There’s more retail temptation at Tasmanian Gourmet Sauce Co, where you can sample their entire range, from chutneys and mustards to marmalade and dessert sauces. Before the inevitable shopping spree, watch how it’s all made and explore the extensive gardens.
Lake Leather offers beautifully handcrafted shoes, boots, wallets, purses, bags and more, while you never know what you’ll find in Evandale’s antique shops. Perhaps copper or ceramic kitchenware at Anteiku Antiques, and an elegant candelabra a few doors down at Evandale Antiques.
There’s a gorgeous old-timey feel about The Evandale Village Store too. The town’s original general store, built in 1843, is stocked with new things inspired by the past, like handmade soap, beeswax candles and woolly cardigans.
Where to stay
Just behind this rustic-chic shop is The Stables Accommodation‘s three comfy self-contained 19th century cottages. Other boutique heritage accommodation to make your Evandale experience complete include Briar Lane cottages and Grandma’s House.
What's nearby?
There’s more handsome heritage architecture mere minutes from Evandale. The grand 1838 Clarendon mansion and gardens is the National Trust’s star Tasmanian property. Established even earlier, Woolmers and Brickendon estates are so historically significant they’re UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Even closer to Evandale than the city it’s named for, Launceston Distillery is a must for whisky fanciers. Don’t miss the free tour! The renowned Tamar Valley wine region’s most southerly vineyard, Josef Chromy, is also nearby. Whether you want to taste and buy, relax with fine wine and food, or go behind the scenes with vino-cultural experiences, they’ve got you covered.
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