Governor Macquarie named the town Oatlands in 1821, as it reminded him of the oat growing area of Scotland. The area had first been explored in 1804, and in 1812 was chosen as one of four sites on the main north-south road for a military garrison; but it was not until 1837 that the garrison was completed. It was in 1821 that Macquarie sent the surveyor general James Meehan to start work on a road from Port Dalrymple (now known as George Town) to Hobart.

Governor Arthur ordered the establishment of the town in 1827, and several buildings of the military era remain. Convicts built the courthouse in 1829. Oatlands was the headquarters for Arthur's campaign against the Aboriginals in 1830.

The troops who came to the area were sent to guard the farmers and other people of various trades who were beginning to arrive here and settle. As fear of attack by the indigenous Aboriginals subsided, the military guard was eventually made redundant, and it subsequently disbanded.

The first proper survey of the town took place in 1832 by a Mr. Sharland, but due to circumstances that remain unexplained,. he saw fit to mark out some fifty miles of streets - quite a few miles more than was necessary for the town.

Brewing and milling were once important industries in the area, and today the town acts as a service centre for the sheep and cattle industry. Oatlands is a classified National Trust Historic Town with one of the largest collection of sandstone buildings in a village, with 87 buildings in High Street alone. 137 buildings in total are found within the boundaries of the town itself, and the atmosphere has changed very little since the 19th century.


Museums and Historic Sites

The Callington Mill (1837) is one of the oldest windmills in Australia - operating until the 1890s - and can be inspected daily. The Agricultural Museum traces the development of Oatlands' economic history since its inception in 1827. It is housed in a cottage belonging to the National Trust. The cottage dates back to the 1840s, and natural rock was used in its construction. There is a cottage garden which is the home of plants which would have been grown in bygone colonial days. The museum has an interesting display of agricultural equipment, and lots more.

There are a plethora of historic buildings to visit in the town, and possibly the best way to see them is to go on an organised historic tour. Descriptive plaques are located on many of the buildings in the town, thus aiding any visitors who are exploring on their own. Highlights include buildings from the military past of the town such as the Courthouse (1829), gaol (1835), commissariat stores and the Officer's quarters (1830s).

The Courthouse is in fact the oldest building in the town, dating back as it does to the year 1829. It was originally a dual function building, acting as a chapel and police office. In 1834 two further rooms were added to cater for the accommodation of the Police Magistrate. There are many interesting features of the building, of which the domed ceiling in the main room is one. In 1891 the Old Courthouse was bought by the Oatlands Institute. It went on to become a private residence before being taken over by the National Trust in 1977.

The gaol was originally built of logs in 1832, and was in those days not the most secure of prisons, with numerous break-outs occurring. Improvements were made over the years, and a wall was constructed around the perimeter of the complex. The complex was long ago demolished, although the swimming pool is where the male convict's yard was, and the entrance gates were re-hung in front of the old school.

There are countless cottages and homesteads of historic note: Brick Cottage (1831), Weedington (1832), Elm Cottage and the Manse (1860). Holyrood House was constructed by John Whiteford in the 1840s. Some years later Daniel O'Connor bought it, and he in turn sold it to Samuel Page for the princely sum of $1100. Back in the 1850s the house was used as a school for some years, with the Rev William Trollope as headmaster. Today Holyrood House has become a restaurant where you can enjoy both the beautiful historic garden and a delicious meal.

Of the hotels and licensed premises in the town, the Oatlands Hotel was first licensed in 1829 and has since been demolished to make room for the new police station. The Midlands Hotel was most likely built by a man called William Barwick - he certainly owned it in 1860. John Lockwood bought it in 1902 and sold it nine years later to Albert Jillett, and today if you look closely you will notice a feint trace of the names of these two men on the facade.

The Kentish Hotel has a history going back as far as 1834, when a license for it was acquired by Joseph McEwan. It was known then as the Inverary Castle. It changed names in 1843 and you can still see a part of this original building under the verandah. The Wardour Castle Inn is recorded to have received its first license in 1850, with Edmund White as licensee.

Three churches may also be inspected; St Peter's Church of England (1838), St Paul's Catholic Church (1850) and the Campbell Memorial Church (1859), all of which are floodlit at night. The Town Hall was designed by William Henry Lord in 1880, and was completed one year later at a cost of $2500.

Other Attractions

Lake Dulverton covers an area of 233 hectares, and is an important wildlife sanctuary. It has excellent fishing facilities for visitors, with guided fishing trips from Oatland Lodge available on request. Back in 1826 the Land Commissioner Roderick O'Connor and Peter Murdock recommended the building of a dam, and this project was commenced in 1827. The dam which you see today was built later in 1928, and was subject to an addition in 1977.

Oatlands has a wide variety of antique stores and tea rooms for the visitor to enjoy. Enjoy a ghost and convict tour of the town. Tennis, golf and bowls may all be enjoyed by visitors to Oatlands.

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