UNIQUE EXPERIENCES ROSS

The Ross Female Factory, erected in 1833, is located in the town of Ross, Tasmania. It was built to house the chain gains employed on the Ross Bridge. The Ross Female Factory is one of four female factories built in Tasmania. Between 1847 and 1854 it operated as a probation station for female convicts and their babies. The buildings were converted from a chain gang station and extended to include a chapel, dining rooms, hospital, nursery, solitary cells, dormitories and an outer courtyard. The women were taught how to sew, clean, cook, launder and care for their children. The Ross Female Factory is a protected historic site today, managed by the Department of Parks & Wildlife Service and the Tasmanian Wool Centre of Ross. Visit the Overseer's Cottage and look at the display including a model of the Female Factory in 1851. You will notice that there are few remains above ground, however, the Ross Female Factory is the most archaeologically intact female convict site in Australia. Take time to follow the Ross Heritage Trail which runs past the site. Ross is about an hours' drive from Launceston (78 kilometres/48 miles) south along the Midlands Highway.

Antiques and Treasures at Ross, in Tasmania's midlands, offers a range of antiques and collectables. At Antiques and Treasures you can browse the selection of Australian and English antique furniture, fine china and estate and vintage jewellery. You can also choose from the range of antique Tasmanian pottery by John Campbell and the McHugh brothers, specialty timber craft and souvenirs, and local and imported gifts. Tasmania's rich colonial and convict history draws antique hunters and collectors from across the world. The colonial township of Ross is one of Australia's best-preserved 19th century villages with a total of 40 historic buildings. You can walk the town's tree-lined streets to see examples of the town's architecture including the Ross Bridge (1836), St Johns Church of England (1868) and the Macquarie House and Store (1840s) which now contains a collection of military memorabilia dating from 1800. Ross is about an hours' drive from Launceston (78 kilometres/48 miles) south along the Heritage Highway.

The Tasmanian Wool Centre, in the midlands town of Ross, showcases Tasmania's wool industry. The Tasmanian Wool Centre specialises in distinctive, high-quality wool products, manufactured from locally produced fine wool. The Wool Exhibition celebrates the Tasmanian and Australian wool industry with a number of displays that include samples of superfine wool cloth and garments. You can browse the exhibits and visit the gift shop to choose from range of blankets, clothing, wool craft and other Tasmanian craft items. The Tasmanian Wool Centre also features the Heritage Museum. Here, you will find interactive displays and self-guided tours interpreting the colonial and convict history of the local area. Established in 1808, Ross is one of Tasmania's earliest rural settlements and is located in Tasmania's premier wool growing area. Superfine Merino wool produced here has often fetched world-record prices, and is exported to markets in Asia and Europe. Ross is just over an hours' drive from Hobart (121 kilometres/75 miles).

Classwood specialises in finely crafted Tasmanian timber products, located at Ross in the Tasmanian midlands. Classwood is housed in a heritage-listed drill hall (circa 1900) originally used during World War One for Light Horse Brigade training. Now, it features a display of wall murals, fine timber work and crafts. You can browse the range of products which include handcrafted kitchenware, vases, decorative timber boxes, wood-turned platters, bowls and carvings. Many of the pieces use specialty Tasmanian timbers such as Huon pine, blackwood, myrtle and sassafras. Classwood is a family-owned and operated Tasmanian business. The colonial township of Ross is one of Australia's best-preserved 19th century villages with a total of 40 historic buildings. You can walk the town's tree-lined streets to see examples of the town's architecture including the Ross Bridge (1836), St Johns Church of England (1868) and the Macquarie House and Store (1840s) which now contains a collection of military memorabilia dating from 1800. Ross is a classified historic town, just under 90 minutes' drive north of Hobart (121 kilometres/75 miles) and an hour south of Launceston (78 kilometres/48 miles).