Travelling south to north along the East Coast, Buckland is where the magic starts. First settled in 1820, it was originally known as Prosser Plains. Once a busy timber mill town, now it’s a place to experience convict history and enjoy the gentle pace of rural Tasmania with stunning views and wide open spaces. The oldest remaining house dates from 1826 and the Buckland Inn was built in 1841 from local hand cut sandstone. The Inn was the first overnight stop for the original horse drawn coach service from Hobart to the coast during the 1800’s.
Buckland is best known for the historic Church of St John the Baptist. Convict built in 1846, the church was constructed as a replica of the church at Cookham Dean in Sussex and is famous for its 14th Century stained glass window. This stunning window is thought to have been originally designed for the Battle Abbey in England and was brought to Buckland by the Reverend F. H. Cox, Rector of the church from 1846-48.
Make sure you pay a visit to the Tasmanian Bushland Garden and take a stroll among the displays of endemic and rare Tasmanian east coast plants. The Garden also has picnic facilities, a landscaped quarry and waterfall. Next door, at the Pulchella Nursery, you can browse the selection of native Tasmanian plants for sale.
Getting there
Buckland is approximately 1 hour from Hobart and 2.25 hours from Launceston.
Must Do’s
- Explore the Tasmanian Bushland Garden devoted entirely to Tasmanian native plants. Wander the sculpture trail or take the 20 minute ‘Hilltop Lookout’ walk
with views over Buckland and the Prosser Plains valley - Visit the historic St John the Baptist Church built in 1846 and discover the fascinating stories of its 14th century stained glass window, originally designed for the Battle Abbey in England
- Enjoy a cold Tasmanian beer at the historic Buckland Inn
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