We arrived at our next basecamp (The Pondering Frog), early at 9:00am. As we rocked up, another van was rolling out, so we grabbed their spot. That's how it works in these campgrounds - first in, best dressed. We set up and headed off inland to the small townships of Ross and Campbell Town. An historical town, Ross is home to just over 400 locals. A beautiful little place with a relaxing feel to it.
We enjoyed lunch at the local bakery - definitely recommend the pies at Bakery 31 at Ross if you’re ever in the area. Best I've tasted in a while!
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| Check out this old relic. No not the chick! |
We enjoyed lunch at the local bakery - definitely recommend the pies at Bakery 31 at Ross if you’re ever in the area. Best I've tasted in a while!
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| One of the early road signs. The inscription on the other side of the bridge shows the distance to Launceston. |
A must see in Ross is the historic bridge over the Macquarie River, opened in 1836, was constructed by convict labour led by two convict stone masons. They were each emancipated on completion of the bridge.
Checked out the ‘Ross Female Factory’ - yes, that’s what I said! It's not what you think and they don't do trades - In its time, basically a women’s prison.
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| There's one trying to sneak out the back... |
Then we moved on to Campbell Town (2 words) - another little place steeped in history. They too have a historical bridge of note - known as the red bridge.
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| Red Bridge |
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| Skullduggery runs in the family |
There’s the convict brick trail - a footpath in town commemorating some of the 200,000+ convicts who were transported to Australia over almost 100 years. I looked but didn’t recognise any ancestors.
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| St Michaels Catholic Church (early 19th century) |
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| An opportunity to grab a family portrait |
