Weegena: Local History and Conservation

Weegena brings together tangible traces of local history, nature along the Mersey River and a range of ways to spend time outdoors. The Roll of Honour commemorates the First World War, the former Brookhead State School building serves as a community hall, and the history of conservation encompasses riverbanks, rare plants and White Gum forest. There is also a published section of the Tasmanian Trail, as well as activities offered as part of a stay at Stooge Farm. This lets you choose whether to focus on history, conservation or active time outdoors.

Local history at specific places

Weegena Community Hall is located at 889 Weegena Road. The hall houses the Weegena Roll of Honour, a publicly accessible memorial honouring those who served in the First World War of 1914–18. If you are interested in remembrance, this is a clear point of reference: the memorial commemorates the war, while the building itself has a history of earlier uses.

The former Brookhead State School building has been used as Weegena Community Hall since the 1960s. An Anglican church was also established in the former school in the 1960s. These uses give the former school building a place in the community and religious history of the area. Another trace of local church history is the former Methodist Church: it was founded as a Wesleyan Church and opened in 1888.

Conservation on the Mersey River

A report published in 2003 describes a historic conservation initiative: two landowners in Weegena protected properties on the Mersey River, beginning the development of a new network of protected areas. The report also mentions a conservation property in Weegena that is home to four rare species, including South Esk Heath (Epacris exserta), which is listed as endangered nationally.

The report describes the Hayward family’s property in the conservation network as supporting moist White Gum forest; conservation covenants also protect riparian vegetation. Conservation thus extends from rare species to forest and riparian vegetation as habitats. These themes offer a different way to explore Weegena than its historic buildings and their stories.

Experiences and accommodation

A stage plan published in 2021 routes the Tasmanian Trail along a 27-kilometre section from Weegena to Deloraine. This distance gives you a concrete reference point for planning; check the current route and access before setting out.

Swimming, canoeing, fishing, bushwalking and birdwatching are offered at Stooge Farm as part of a stay there. This differs from the Trail section: these are activities offered as part of a stay, while the Trail information describes a published distance between two places.

Discover more destinations

Zeehan, Queenstown, Kayena, Ringarooma, Devonport, Lalla, Queens Domain, Geeveston

For the broader travel overview: Tasmania.