Carpark
Located midway between Hobart and Launceston and five minutes from the historic village of Oatlands, the National Trust listed Bowhill Grange is a picture-perfect collection of early colonial farm buildings that were built in 1854.
Set in an oasis of green, shaded by a grove of ancient cypress pines and perched on a sandstone ridge overlooking the adjacent dam, Bowhill Grange is circled by hundreds of acres of prime merino pastures with a dramatic backdrop of Table Mountain and the surrounding conservation area.
Originally part of the renowned Anstey Barton estate, ownership passed to six generations of the Agnew family in 1878 under the stewardship of Sir James Agnew, who was subsequently one of Tasmania’s early Premiers.
An integral part of this prominent landholding, Bowhill Grange not only reflects Tasmania’s early colonial history, but was indeed an active contributor, well known throughout the young colony during this period as the home of The Assyrian, the 1882 Melbourne Cup winner, who was stabled here for nearly two decades.
With two beautifully refurbished self-contained cottages, Bowhill Grange is an ideal base to explore the magnificent Southern Midlands and beyond, with Hobart, Launceston and the east coast all about an hour’s drive away. Alternatively why not just sit back, relax and enjoy true country peace and tranquility.
ROOMS
Elizabeth's Cottage
Originally constructed in 1854, it was designed by the renowned ex-convict architect Frederick Thomas who was responsible for many landmark colonial buildings. The cottage was groundbreaking for its time in that it was planned to provide improved lodging to entice immigrant farmworkers and their families to rural Tasmania. The resultant sandstone building is very distinctive in style with its high pitched roof, five-meter ceiling and commanding position overlooking the surrounding pastures. Extensively renovated in recent years, it combines wonderful old features like the original wooden staircases, tall deep-set windows, original baker’s ovens and a huge sandstone fireplace in the sitting room, with thoughtfully sourced furnishings that harmonize with and enhance the character of the original building. A large private verandah is a perfect spot for soaking in the views. The cottage has two character-filled bedrooms. The main bedroom is on the ground floor with an ensuite bathroom and an extra single bed. The second bedroom is accessed through the main bedroom via very steep and narrow stairs and is not suitable for children or the mobility impaired and does not have a separate bathroom. There is a fully equipped kitchen and breakfast provisions.
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Shepherd's Rest
Snuggled beneath a majestic canopy of pine trees, this private cottage has sweeping views towards Table Mountain and overlooks hundreds of acres of rolling pasturelands. It has recently undergone a complete renovation to better reflect and complement its wonderful location and to provide a relaxing and restorative country escape. Shepherd’s Rest is the ideal location for couples to soak in our unique location or to use as a great base to explore further afield.
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