Westbury - Midlands, Tasmania.
It wouldn’t be stretching the imagination too much to suggest that Westbury is a town where time has stood still, a classified historic town which is a standout in an island State renowned for its convict heritage and striking Georgian architecture.
First surveyed by the Van Diemen’s Land Company in 1828 and ear-marked by Governor Arthur as a major stop-over for traveler’s en-route to the north-west coast, Westbury was originally established as a garrison town. By 1836 the settlements population comprised the garrison plus 227 free settlers and 317 convicts. During the 1840’s it became a favourite with Irish immigrants who, having fled the potato famine in their home-land, set about farming the rich soils surrounding Westbury.
With its village green reputed to be the only truly traditional village green in Australia, its beautiful tree-lined streets and an abundance of historic homes and buildings Westbury has often been described as being more English than England.
In the 1840’s Thomas White constructed a general store and residence at the western end of Lonsdale’s Prom which became known as Whites Token Store when he created penny tokens to be used on purchases from the store. White moved on in 1859 and the building served as a bakery, a mill, a bus depot and a bicycle factory over the next 100 years. Acquired by the National Trust and renovated the White House was opened to the public in 1971 and today comprises a traditional 19th century house, a vintage car museum, cycle display and bakery.
Westbury really is a feast for the history buff and it’s difficult to nominate highlights in such a short introduction, there is just so much to see. This fascinating time capsule is located 34 kilometres west of Launceston on the Bass Highway.
This Tassie Local snapshot was produced by Footloose Photographic & Media Solutions
Things to see around - Westbury
Westbury - Midlands, Tasmania
