Pontville: Bridges, History and River Landscapes

Pontville brings together a long history of settlement and a distinctive position above the Jordan River. Founded as a garrison town in 1821, it is one of Tasmania’s oldest settlements. Several of Australia’s 50 oldest surviving houses are in Pontville. Along with the Jordan River Bridge and St Mark’s Church, these buildings offer distinct, tangible points of reference for the town’s history, from early houses to a bridge and church.

Bridge, Houses and Church

The Jordan River Bridge was built in 1842 and is one of Australia’s few surviving bridges from the first half of the 19th century. Its construction date makes it a distinctive example of the country’s early bridge architecture. St Mark’s Church gives Pontville an unusual Romanesque landmark. In the wider Brighton Council destination, the church in Pontville is a Romanesque sandstone building. It was designed by convict architect James Blackburn and completed in 1841. The bridge, church and early houses each offer a different perspective. Visitors interested in architecture can explore Pontville’s past through these tangible features.

River Landscapes and Historic Routes

Pontville sits on a hill overlooking the Jordan River and a broad plain. The river and open landscape offer a different perspective on the town from its historic buildings. The plain beside Pontville was once a travel and transit route used by the Palawa between northern and southern Tasmania. The Jordan River Trail also passes through this landscape: it follows the river for 4.5 km and heads south to the neighbouring town of Brighton. Its length, riverside setting and direction give the trail a distinctive character alongside the historic attractions.

Tastings and Tours

LARK Pontville Distillery is located in Pontville. Tastings of Lark whisky or Forty Spotted gin are offered at its cellar door. Tours at the distillery are listed at 12 pm and 2 pm. As visitor offerings and operating details can change, check before your visit whether tastings and tour times are currently available. This lets you factor the experience into your plans alongside the town’s historic and landscape attractions.

More to Explore in the Wider Brighton Council Destination

The wider Brighton Council destination offers other distinct points of interest. The Coal River Valley in and around Tea Tree is home to vineyards and wineries, particularly for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay; local wine trails and vineyards are highlighted for the Brighton area and beyond. The Bridgewater Foreshore Trail offers a different landscape and nature experience. It follows the banks of the Derwent River around Bridgewater and Green Point to the East Derwent Highway Bridge. The shallow wetlands along the shore are home to a variety of birdlife, including black swans, cormorants, pelicans and white-faced herons. This makes it easy to distinguish Pontville’s history and riverside setting from the wine and foreshore landscapes of the wider Brighton Council destination when considering different travel interests.

Choose the Right Search Destination

If the historic buildings, history and Jordan River Trail are central to your stay, you can search specifically for a hotel in Pontville. If you’d also like to consider the wine or foreshore landscapes of the wider Brighton Council destination when planning, choose a broader search area. Choosing a search destination starts with deciding which of the topics described will matter most to your trip.

Discover more destinations: Lindisfarne, Cambridge, Sandy Bay, Berriedale, Warrane, Clifton Beach, Kingston, Montagu Bay

Return to the wider travel overview: Hobart.