Campbell Town, Tasmania

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Campbell Town
Tasmania

Main road in centre of Campbell Town, opposite rest area
Population: 755 (2001)[1]
Established: 1821
Postcode: 7210
Location:
LGA: Northern Midlands Council
State District: Lyons
Federal Division: Lyons

Campbell Town is a town in Tasmania, Australia, located on the Midland Highway. It was originally one of the four garrison towns linking Hobart and Launceston. Today, it acts as the only major rest area on the Midland Highway, with superior toilets, a park, a large car park and a range of food outlets including a World wide chain. Campbell Town is also the retail centre for much of the southern part of the Municipality. Midlands area.

Campbell Town rest area
Campbell Town rest area

It was named by Governor Macquarie after his wife, Elizabeth Campbell, as was the river passing through the town, the Elizabeth River.[2] One of Campbell Town's famous attractions is the convict-built Red Bridge, the oldest bridge on the National Highway. Campbell Town also has the oldest existing bridge in the country. Built in 1822 it is more than one year older than the famous Richmond Bridge. The bridge and causeway, were built as a part of the original main road, it was to be a part of Bell's line of Road, but this road never got past Oatlands. The causeway has long gone, but the bridge is still here and has been in constant use since 1822. It consists of drystone abutments and timber top, although the top has been replaced, the stone abutments are original, making this a rare example of early Australian stone work.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Population distribution. Government of Tasmania Department of Justice (2006-12-14). Retrieved on 2007-03-12.
  2. ^ Campbell Town. Walkabout Travel Guide. Retrieved on 2007-03-12.

Coordinates: 41°55′S, 147°30′E

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