Ross

Female Factory in Ross

Ross Bridge

Ross is a small historic town in the centre of the Tasmanian Midlands, 120 km north of Hobart and 80 km south of Launceston. Ross was first settled in 1821 as a garrison town for soldiers, as a coaching stop on the Midlands Highway and as a market town. It's especially popular with Japanese travellers, as the bakery was the template for a Japanese comic series ("Kiki's bakery").

Understand

Founded in 1812, it is one of the oldest towns in Tasmania and still has many buildings from that period. Ross gained importance in the 19th century because of its location on Tasmania's most important road and because of its bridge over the Macquarie River (which has since been bypassed since the late 20th century). However, Ross remained a small town and has been able to preserve its historical setting.

Get in

The only means of getting into Ross is by car.

The historic town is 120 km north of Hobart, and 78 km south of Launceston. It's a short detour of the Midland Highway (Hwy 1) via Roseneath Rd (northbound) and Chiswick Road (southbound).

See

The town contains numerous historic Georgian buildings, made from local sandstone.

• Church -- Made of sandstone and built by convicts.
• 1 Ross Female Factory, 2 Portugal St, ☏ +61 3 6381 5466. Female convicts camp. Visit this to see how the prisoners in Tasmania endured their lives. (updated Mar 2023)
• 2 Tasmanian Wool Centre Museum, 48 Church St, ☏ +61 3 6381 5466. M–F 9AM–5PM; Sa Su 10AM–5PM. Learn about Tasmanian wool production. (updated Mar 2023)
• 3 Ross Bridge, Roseneath Rd (C305). Built in 1836 by convict labor. This is one of the oldest bridges in Australia and is made from sandstone. (updated Mar 2023)

Do

A pleasant barbeque and resting place can be found at the bridge. It is an excellent spot for lunch on a sunny day. Also plan a day touring the many convict sites or do a spot of shopping in the great selection of antique and giftshops which Ross has to offer.

Buy

Muffins or other sweets from the bakery.

Great selection of Antiques Giftware Souvenirs and Old English Lollies

• Tasmanian Wool Centre, 48 Church Street, ☏ +61 3 6381 5466, info@taswoolcentre.com.au. Sizeable range of men's and women's woollen garments, yarn, etc. (updated Feb 2016)

Eat

• Bakery 31, 31 Church Street, ☏ +61 3 6381 5422. A great place to sample a Tasmanian specialty, the scallop pie. (updated Feb 2016)

Sleep

Next to the bakery there is a hotel. Kiki's room is available for rent. If you just want to take a picture, just ask politely at the reception.

• Colonial cottages of Ross, ☏ +61 3 6381 5354. Lovely sandstone cottages around the village and a bed and breakfast cottage as well. 

Go next

• Launceston

Routes via Ross

Campbell Town ← Launceston ←	N  S	→ Oatlands → Hobart
END ←	W C305 E	→ Tooms Lake