Evandale is a National Trust classified Georgian Village. Today this town, just 20kms south of Launceston is home to around 1,345 people (2016 census).
In the main street, the houses and businesses are built almost on the main road, there are rarely front gardens here. It is only as you venture away from the main thoroughfare that gardens start to appear in front of buildings and the houses become set back from the road.
The largest and grandest Georgian house in Australia is Clarendon House, just eight kilometres south of Evandale. With its grand mansion, elm tree lined avenue, restored colonial outbuildings, beautiful and colourful gardens, guests can visit the National Trust property.
Some of the buildings in town were commercial premises that are currently being used as private homes. The Royal Oak hotel, built in 1840, is now a private residence.
The old Post Office, built in 1888, is also now a private residence.
The unspoiled heritage buildings vary from grand homes built to impress, to more practical but still lovely smaller cottages. Each of these has housed generations of residents since the mid 1800s.
The houses of Evandale are a credit to the owners over the years who have maintained the heritage style, or renovated them close to the original purpose. It is lovely to walk around town admiring their contribution to keeping this Georgian town authentic.
Some homeowners have even decorated their yards with old time memorabilia. This evokes a real sense of what it was like to move around in those olden times.
A brochure is available at the Evandale Visitor Information Centre that introduces visitors to a self guided tour around the town with brief stories about each building.
Happy Travels!
Comments