Wilmot is a small town in the north-west of Tasmania (population 298 in the 2016 census) and is definitely worth a visit. Located 39km (24mi) south west of Devonport, the drive through this rural area is a pleasure for all the senses.
Winding country roads, stunningly green hills dotted with sheep, cows and occasional llamas make it a fabulous journey to a lovely destination.
Known as the Valley of Views, stopping at the designated lookout gives you a breathtaking vista of countryside with distant mountains framing the picture.
Mt Rowland (1231m) dominates the landscape (in the centre below), with the Western Tiers (1420m) to the left. Mt Vandyke (1040m) and Mt Claude (1000m) are to its right.
Further right is Mt Pelion (1555m), Cradle Mountain (1545m) and Bell Mt (803m).
1. Lake Barrington
Swimming, rowing, boating, canoeing and camping are some of the activities that can be enjoyed on the Wilmot side of Lake Barrington. Gas barbeques and undercover shelter are available here. The world famous International Rowing Course can be accessed from the eastern side along with water-skiing, power boats, swimming and camping.
The Inland Fisheries Service stock the lake with mature fish for enthusiastic anglers. The lake is 20kms long and is on the Forth River. With three dams on the Forth River, water is supplied to north-west coastal towns.
2. Wilmot Letterbox Trail
Around 80 novelty letterboxes adorn the sides of a 25km stretch of road from near Forth to past Wilmot. Most are made from scrap material and are a credit to their clever and talented inventors. Click here to read more about the trail
3. Wilmot Museum and Information Centre
This repurposed building was originally built in 1897 as a school and church. Inside is a huge collection of memorabilia relating to the history of Wilmot and surrounding areas. Check opening hours before going, as it is closed on certain days.
4. Timber Bogey
Being a heavily forested region, it was essential to cut and mill trees to be used in the construction of buildings in Wilmot and surrounding districts. The bogey located near the museum was constructed in 1938 in Devonport. The bogey was used to haul logs out of the bush behind a crawler, and has been donated by Ingo and Sue Hansen.
5. Mural covered Shelter Shed
Also near the museum is the relocated shelter shed that is now covered in murals depicting the nearby Forth Falls and some of the Wilmot pioneering identities. It was originally located near the falls and people would take shelter within its walls. Names of visitors to the falls between 1928 and 1965 have been marked on the inside of the shed. When Lake Barrington was created in 1968, it was dismantled and used as hay shed before being moved to its current site in 2008.
6. Information boards
In Wilmot town there are information boards that paint a picture of the early settlement days. Declared a town in 1903 it was named after Sir John Eardley-Wilmot, the Lieutenant Governor of Van Diemen's Land from 1843 until 1846.
7. Lovely houses
I adore old homes and was delighted to find some treasures in the town.
One old home seems to have been a shop in the past.
The father of GJ Coles who started the Coles Myer empire in Australia owned the General Store in Wilmot from 1910 - 1921. His house still stands as a private residence now and has been a guest house in the past. What beautiful views to wake up to.
8. General Store
The current General Store has a perfect spot outside to relax and enjoy refreshments as well as take in the glorious views. This is the ideal stop to break your journey to Cradle Mountain from Devonport and enjoy the small town.
9. Roadside Honesty Boxes
Local farmers often sell their excess produce at roadside stalls. Passers-by can pick up farm fresh produce and the farmers obtain some extra funds. This system works well when purchasers contribute honest funds for their goods. Bring some cash with you on your trip, just in case.
10. The views
Leaving the best until last, the views here are spectacular. Driving along the country roads imbibes a sense of freedom, almost exaltation. Each twist and turn of these winding roads gives the traveler a new glimpse of this beautiful part of Tasmania. I found myself stopping frequently to just stare and marvel at this natural wonder. There is no hurry to get anywhere, it is the journey that is the blessing, not just the destination.
Happy Travels!
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