Discover Longford

Discover Longford through the many traces of its history: the sandstone Christ Church in the town centre, historic estates with visitor experiences, and a Grand Prix circuit that is still largely drivable. You can focus on architecture, heritage, a self-guided walk or motorsport history.

Sandstone, Glass and Architecture

Christ Church was built from sandstone in 1839. Its square tower, lancet windows and buttresses are characteristic of the Old Colonial Gothic Picturesque style. Lancet windows are narrow windows that taper to a point at the top; the name offers a specific clue to the shapes you can spot on the church. The stained-glass windows also tell a story of their own: they were made in Newcastle-upon-Tyne and shipped to Tasmania in 1842. The year the church was built and the origin of its windows thus place two different dates in history side by side. Together, the building materials, architectural details and origin of the glass make Christ Church a distinctive landmark in Longford’s history.

Historic Estates and Their Different Experiences

Woolmers Estate is a UNESCO World Heritage site in Longford. The Woolmers Experience takes you on a 90-minute golf buggy tour of the entire estate. A combined admission ticket provides access to both UNESCO World Heritage sites in northern Tasmania and to the 2.8-kilometre Convict Farm Walk between them. The two experiences can be planned around different measures: a duration is given for the tour, and a distance for the walk. Check tour times before your visit, as schedules may change.

Woolmers Estate also has a rose garden, where the roses bloom from November to May. This season offers a useful guide if the garden is one of your travel interests. For a different perspective on heritage, explore more than 20 historic buildings in the farm village at Brickendon Estate on the outskirts of Longford. While Christ Church’s architecture can be seen in a single building, at Brickendon the historic character is spread across many buildings in the farm village.

Longford on Foot and on the Racetrack

You can also explore Longford itself on a self-guided walk. A map is recommended to help you plan your route. You can also add the Skulduggery “Where There’s Smoke” mystery game to your walk. It explores a real mystery from the area that took place in 1831. This combines your own exploration of the town with a specific historical event, without limiting the walk to a single attraction.

Another perspective comes from Longford’s 7.2-kilometre Grand Prix circuit, which includes The Flying Mile. Much of the circuit is still drivable today. If you plan to include it by car, check road conditions and applicable access rules beforehand. The two ways of exploring are quite different: on the walk, you set your own pace on foot, while the Grand Prix circuit reveals a largely drivable part of Longford’s motorsport history.

When to Visit and Choosing a Hotel

The rose garden and the Woolmers Experience offer different pointers when choosing when to visit: the roses bloom from November to May, while tour times should be checked in advance. If either experience is a highlight of your stay, you can plan your trip around it. When looking for hotels in Longford, you can base your choice on the experiences you actually want to include—whether that’s the architecture in the town centre, the historic estates or a walk of your own.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Stanley, Little Swanport, Tyenna, Deloraine, Falmouth, Coningham, Ross, Nelson Bay.

For the main travel overview: Tasmania.