EVANDALE

Welcome to Evandale

Stroll along one of the most evocative streetscapes in Tasmania and absorb the history of this pretty colonial town.

Artists know the historic town of Evandale as the heart of Glover country – colonial painter John Glover is described as the father of Australian landscape painting. The finalists for the Glover Prize, the richest landscape art award in Australia, show their inspired artworks at Evandale’s historic Falls Park timber show pavilion each March.

Others flock to admire the town’s well-preserved late-Georgian and early Victorian architecture. Its High Street is one of the most impressive streetscapes in the state.

It's no surprise, then, that Evandale is the perfect backdrop for the annual National Penny Farthing Championship each February. Wander the streets to browse the antique stores and meander past noteworthy buildings such as the two St Andrews churches – one Anglican, one Uniting – the Clarendon Arms Hotel and the red-brick water tower that resembles a rook on a chess board.

Eight kilometres south of town is Clarendon, a National Trust-listed three-storey mansion considered Australia’s grandest rural colonial estate.

Alongside John Glover, Evandale’s history includes other noteworthy characters, such as John Kelly, father of the notorious bushranger Ned Kelly, who was part of a convict road gang working near the town.

Among the ornate buildings and picturesque parks at Evandale, you’ll find a beloved local market and a traditional British Pub with modern flair, featuring a regal interior and relaxed beer garden.

Listen on for a guided tour of the village. At a fast pace, this journey might take no longer than 30 minutes, but Evandale is best taken in slowly – so allow plenty of time to stop for leisurely breakfast, lunch, markets, antique shopping and other surprise stops along the way.

Walking tour part one – High Street

With its entire townscape classified by the National Trust, Evandale is a treasure trove of historical buildings. The town is small and picturesque, and best explored on foot.

Begin your journey from Evandale’s distinctive stone water tower, built in 1896. This cylindrical structure at 30 High Street stands tall and wide, featuring a faded-red stone exterior and neat turrets contrasting against the sky. Continue southeast past quaint houses with neat hedges and gothic multi-storey structures with sprawling trees and picket fences, until you reach the Evandale Tourism and Information Centre on the corner of High and Barclay Streets. Here you’ll find historical displays, a gift shop, and helpful travel information.

Just across the road from the centre is a two-storey brick building with a grand doorway bordered by stone pillars. This is the Blenheim Inn – a colonial accommodation provider and home of Amnesia Antiques and Glass Gallery.

Venture a short distance onward to the Evandale War Memorial Hall and Soldiers Memorial Hall. Adjacent to the memorial is St Andrews Anglican Church, bordered by grand oaks and regal cast-iron gates leading through to a turning circle. This heritage building is white and gothic with a tall black spire and arched windows.

Directly across the road on the opposite side of High Street is St Andrews Uniting Church. The impressive white building features an entrance sheltered by tall Doric columns, and a traditional belltower atop the roof. In front of the church and behind the property’s white picket fence is an Aberdeen granite statue of Reverend Robert Russell.

Journey on past a few more houses until you reach the corner of High Street and Russell Street – a popular zone featuring antique shops, pubs, markets and more. Listen on to continue your walking tour into Evandale’s Village Centre.

Walking tour part two – Russell Street

You’ll find heritage buildings, parks and the odd traditional lamppost at Evandale’s Village Centre.

Stroll a short distance eastward along Russell Street to browse the wares at Lake Leather – a boutique with rust-orange walls selling all manner of chic leather bags, clothing and accessories.

Neighbouring shops in the heart of this historic village are essential stops for antique lovers. Evandale Antiques is known for Australian colonial, country and Georgian furniture, art, ceramics, and toys. Anteiku Antiques and Collectables has a beautiful selection of decorative and useful objects for a vintage-country ambience.

Just past here, find the intersection of Russell and Scone Streets. The small park on the northern side of the road features a quirky statue of a man in a flat cap leaning on a penny farthing. This monument symbolises one of the town’s most fascinating pastimes: the annual penny farthing championships at the Evandale Village Fair. Every February, the town cranks its colonial dial up a notch at this event, where revellers don traditional dress and enjoy entertainment, historic car and steam engine displays, pony rides and other country fair fixtures. In the largest event dedicated to antique bicycle racing in the world, penny farthing enthusiasts from across the globe tear through the village centre in a series of thrilling races.

Just across Scone Street is the next stop on your Evandale adventure. Listen on to hear more.

Walking tour part three – Clarendon Arms

The colonial-era Clarendon Arms in Evandale does a smart take on 21st-century drinking and dining, surrounded by antlers.

Find this grand building on the east corner of Russell and Scone Streets, opposite the small park with the penny farthing statue. Hear tunes playing and smell delicious pub food emanating from the outdoor beer garden, enclosed by a large wrought-iron gate and a moss-covered heritage brick wall. Rosebushes bloom in this large dining courtyard beneath the cooling shade of tall, deciduous trees.

Tuck into seasonal specials from Tasmanian producers or sip craft beers, Tasmanian spirits, or top drops from island winemakers.

The menu is inspired by British pub fare, with the added deliciousness of high-quality, modern Tasmanian produce. Expect winter warmers and fresh summer plates rotating with the seasons. Graze over the ultimate antipasto board: sample gooey arancini, salty meats, olives, brie, grilled asparagus, and sourdough crispbread. Eat Tasmanian cheeses to your heart’s content, or feast on luxe seafood pies, Scottsdale pork, Haggerstone highland beef, and fresh veggies from the Clarendon Arms kitchen garden.

Sit out in the spacious beer garden, or cosy up inside the pub. The predominantly black and timber interior includes a regal fireplace, small wooden tables hosting cute cacti plants, and peculiar wall décor, including ram and stag heads, and framed portraits of Tasmanian animals and historical figures.

Continue onward down Russell Street as it morphs into Logan Road. You’ll soon reach Falls Park on the southern side of the street. On a Sunday, this usually quiet area is lively with marketgoers. Listen on for a rundown of Evandale Market.

Walking tour part four – Evandale Market

Welcome Sunday in style with a visit to the Evandale Market at Falls Park. These market stalls are brimming with homegrown produce, crafts and bric-a-brac.

The Evandale Sunday Market is open 8am to 1.30pm each Sunday. The park borders Logan Road and Huxtables Lane. On the corner of these roads stands a greenish-blue oxidised statue of famed historical landscape artist John Glover. Find the entrance to the country market a little further along Logan Road.

Under the dappled light of tall trees, wander among the throng of locals and visitors. The music of buskers and the scent of Turkish grill fill the air. Weave through the hedges under bony trees in winter, which transform with vivid green foliage in summer. Explore the labyrinth of indoor and outdoor stalls offering something for everyone.

On the theme of preserved history, browse the vintage Victorian-style trinkets and memorabilia at many of the stalls. You might choose to bring a piece of Evandale home with you.

Vibrant scarves, hats, dresses and coats hang from the racks of handcrafted clothing stalls. Sample seasonal fruits and berries – from lush strawberries to plump cherries. Native flowers blossom in dainty bouquets, and locally harvested mushrooms of obscure varieties are ready to take back to your accommodation for a cook-up.

Try locally made sauces, jams and chutneys featuring unique spices and produce. Pick up some bulky bulbs of Tasmanian purple garlic or any number of farm gate veggies on sale here. Or dig into something tasty while you’re roaming the market; like doughy, salty pretzels, muffins, authentic Turkish delight, or some sizzling and spicy Turkish stuffed turnovers known as Gozleme – a decidedly satisfying way to end your jaunt through this charming village.

Accessibility

Evandale is an 18km drive south of Launceston, taking roughly 15 minutes. The 792 Tassielink bus leaves Launceston from Charles Street opposite the Launceston General Hospital, and rides for about 40 minutes to the corner of Scone and Murray streets in Evandale.

Evandale is conveniently also a five-minute drive southeast of Launceston Airport, which contains a hub of taxi, rideshare and shuttle transport options.

Pioneer Park on the left-hand side of Russell Street in Evandale has a public bathroom, which includes an accessible toilet. Visit the Evandale Community and Information Centre on High Street for further information and assistance. This information centre is wheelchair accessible and has two accessible parking bays in its spacious car park. Take care crossing roads, as there are no audio-tactile crossing controls in this area.