Campbell Town was initially established in the 1820s as a garrison station between Hobart and Launceston, yet due to favourable agricultural conditions, farmers soon began to outnumber the soldiers stationed at the town site. Some of the first settlers in the district were from Norfolk Island. The town was named by Governor Macquarie after his wife's family in 1821.

During Governor Arthur's reign a series of major-generals were appointed to supervise those convicts on tickets of leave, and to settle disputes between free settlers in rural areas. One of these was based in Campbell Town in 1827, Malcolm Laing-Smith. In 1836 a new road was built between Jericho and Campbell Town, thus improving communication between the rural areas.

The wool industry had its beginnings in the area with the arrival of farmers and the introduction of Saxon Merino Sheep, which continue to produce world class wool to this day.

The establishment of the Annual Midlands Agricultural Show in 1838 led to the claim that it was the oldest continually operating show in all of the Commonwealth. The railway arrived in Campbell Town in 1876.

Today Campbell Town is surrounded by fertile farmland and is a centre of fine wool production, timber milling and cattle breeding.

Historic Sites

There are many fine buildings remaining in the town which attest to the military past of Campbell Town. The Red Bridge was constructed in 1836 by convicts and is a fine example of the red brick architecture prevalent at the time. Other buildings of merit include St. Lukes Church (1839), and St. Andrews and St. Michaels, both constructed in 1857.

Campbell Town Inn and Powells Hotel both boast unusual staircases on their premises. The Grange (1840) is now owned by the National Trust, as are the buildings known as the Fox Hunters Return (1840) and the Old Brewery(1846). Another site of historical importance is the Memorial to Harold Gatty, a famous son of Campbell Town and one of the first navigators to circumnavigate the globe with pilot Wiley Post in 1931.

Other Attractions

Enjoy a game of Bowls at the Midland Bowls Club, or tee off for a relaxing round of golf at the nearby nine hole golf course. Excellent fishing may be found on nearby Lake Leake. Deer hunting may be indulged in by game hunters, but licenses are required.

Convicts James Colbeck and Daniel Herbert designed the Historic Bridge in Ross, a few kilometres south of Campbell Town. The intricate masonry and Celtic carvings of the stonework bear testament to the immense skill of these men.

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