Brickendon Estate: A Dog Friendly UNESCO World Heritage Site
After spending the morning in Campbell Town (Midlands) to drop off artwork I had done for a client, George and I were left with the decision of what to with the rest of Christmas Eve day. Drive straight home or, meander our way back and see what dog friendly places might pop up on our way home to explore? George’s vote was to meander home. I’m glad I listened to him!
Taking the longer route home we headed to Longford, part of the Midlands region. I knew Woolmers Estate was in theis direction so I kinda thought we’ll stop in and see if they are dog friendly and Open. Well, they weren’t Open, instead we drove on by continueing into Longord. Maybe another trip down the track to see if Woolmers Estate is dog friendly. On the way into Longford I was surprised to see the sign for Brickendon Estate, and it was Open on Christmas Eve as we flashed by. I had no idea Brickendon was so close to Woolmer’s Estate! It is the neighbouring estate. A quick phone call to Brickendon Reception and yes Brickendon is dog friendly! Score one for George and my day of dog friendly adventures!
Dog Friendly Tasmanian World Heritage Sites
Brickendon Estate is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is part of the Australian Convict Sites World Heritage Properties. There are 5 others in Tasmania. Three sites we can definiately confirm are dog friendly places to visit.
- Port Arthur HIstoric Site – Port Arthur, Tasman Peninsula. Dog Friendly.
- Coal Mines Historic Site – Norfolk Bay,Tasman Peninsula. Dog Friendly.
- Darlington Probation Station on Maria Island – this is not dog friendly as it is part of a National Park and National Parks in Tasmania are NOT Dog Friendly.
- Woolmers Estate – Longford, Midlands. We are yet to confirm if the grounds are dog friendly.
- Brickendon Estate – Longford, Midlands. Dog Friendly.
TIP
Brickendon Estate is a working farm, occasionally you will find the farm dogs wandering the place to pop in and say hello to visitors. There are also plenty of chooks (chickens), ducks and other fowl that free roam the place. Having a dog that is not going to be interested in chasing the feathered estate workers is advisable. You will also come across ponies, mules and cattle all working hard, hence having your dog on lead is the only way you will be able to visit.
BRICKENDON ESTATE
Walking through the main entrance, the Village Barn, you’ll find yourself in the main square with the 3 barns in a u-shape. The Village Barn behind you, the Pillar Granary to your left and the Sussex Barn to your right. Public Toilets are to the left of the Sussex Barn when face-on.
Pillar Granary & Sussex Barn
The Pillar Granary I found fascinating as it is constructed on ‘Staddle Stones’ which I learnt are to keep vermin out and the granary free of water. I guess soaked grain is not exactly ideal! As the name suggests the granary stored grain, flour and other types of perishables. Right now it has interesting equipment inside that George had a good exploratory sniff over. Wonder what those smells told him? I believe he was on barn hunt!
Next was a look inside the big Sussex Barn (late 1820’s), a beautiful looking barn of which I’ve seen similar in the United Kingdon. Many have been converted into wonderful homes. Inside the Sussex Barn there’s a great moving display of convict names on the floor, which George found a little disorienting, he kept looking to see where the names disappeared too and moved out of the way as the names approached him on the floor. He was glad to leave that spooky barn.
William Archer Cottage
Our next stop was the brick-nogged cottage known as William Archers Cottage. As I stood in the hallway looking into the 2 roomed cottage, I kept thinking people were so small back then, probably doesn’t help that I’m 5’11”. One room consisted of the bedroom with small hip bath, short bed, something like a chest for clothing, how anyone bathed in the hip bath I don’t know. George thought I expected him to get in for a bath, even he made the bath seem tiny! The other room opposite across the stone flagged hallway was the kitchen, dining, living room. Everything in it was so simple, none of the complicated or necessary tech items we need today. I certainly felt life was harder for people, but was it any better? I don’t know.
Going out the back door through the overgrown shaded garden we stopped at the Victorian Chapel.
Victorian Chapel
The orginal convict chapel is no more, the lovely red brick Victorian Chapel has been built on top of the original one. Pushing open the door (be sure to close all dorrs behind you when you leave as the chooks like to get in and visit the buildings leaving little deposits behind), George and I stepped into a lovely airy white washed building with tall stained glass windows on three sides. This is the first Chapel in Tasmania we have come across as being a dog friendly place to visit. As it was Christas Eve, George paid his respects and I’m sure was praying fervently to God to tell Santapaws that he had been a Good Boy during the year.
Cookhouse
Turning out of the Victorian Chapel, we walked across the dry grass heading to the Cookhouse. This is filled with the old cooking equipment used by the convicts to provide for all labourers on the farm. The big open fire and bread oven must have projected some incredible heat in its time and the building would’ve been hot to work in during the summer. While I wandered round examining the utensils, George suddenly took an interest in something outside, he stood at alert peering through the slats of the half stable door. Checking out what caught his attention I had to laugh, he’d spied a wild rabbit in the chook run, rather ironic I thought as we were standing the Cookhouse. Guess roast rabbit was to be on the menu for him!
The Blacksmiths
Popping out of the Cookhouse we wandered down to the Blacksmiths shop. Not only did the Blacksmiths service the estate of Brickendon but they also repaired and produced metalwork for Woolmers Estate, work such as shoeing the horses of both estates, making new tines for harrows and repairing wagon wheels. The Brickendon Blacksmiths were kept very busy working for both estates.
Stables, Shearing Shed & Brick Granary
Meandering our way back to the main area George and I popped into the Stables which contine on into the Shearing Shed and Brick Granary. The Stables were full of old dusty tack, stiff leather harnesses and bridles, saddle and an old cart with faded paint, dusty and well beyond its prime but still salvageable. The cart I’d love to see restored and used, but hey, it could be a dog friendly cart ride! I find it a shame seeing tack like this as having had horses myself there is nothing I love more then the smell of clean oiled leather, soft, supple and gleaming in the light.
Moving through the Stables to the Shearing Shed both George and I stood in the hot light interior. Looking around at the loose wool in the bays and the big bales I thought ‘Holy cow it’s hot in here, how can anyone work in this heat?’. To those working in the shearing sheds on the mainland, hats off to you guys and gals!
George took an interest in the wool, but only as a ‘oh new smell’. He’s definitely not a herding dog. He says he’s here on earth to love and that’s it….oh and to eplore dog friendly places here in Tasmania for dog adventures to share.
We walked around the Brick Granary but couldn’t gain access so bypassed that and headed to the Cart Shed. There was only one cart, an English Farm Waggon. I was hoping to see a few more stored in the Cart Shed, the horse connection coming out in me, sadly it was full of rusty old equipment with no explanation and an old tractor. The shed reminded me of a junk shed.
There is more to see, the Heritage Gardens and the Convict Farm Walk to Woolmers Estate which we will be popping back to explore. As we had already spent a few hours wandering round Brickendon Estate and it was getting hotter George was flagging in the heat so I decided to call it quits for him.
George and I definitely recommend visiting Brickendon Estate. It’s interesting and informative with history of the estate and the lives of the Archer Family and their convicts. George says that for dogs there’s plenty of smells to keep doggy brains interested. We missed the animal feeding at 10.15am held daily, but that wasn’t a bad thing with a dog. We are aiming to go back and visit the Gardens, apparently more of a tree like park (I could be wrong until we check it out), as well as walking the Convict Trail with suspension bridge across the Macquarie/Tinamirakuna River to Woolmers Estate.
Information
Brickendon Estate is located at 236 Wellington St, Longford, Tasmania.
Entry prices have changed for 2025, and it would be advisable to check each year for updated prices. Currently entry fees are:
- Adults $20
- Concession $18.50
- Child $8
- Family $60 (2 adults and 3 or more children)
Opening times are:
- December – April, Tuesday-Sunday, 9.30 – 5pm.
- May – September, Tuesday-Sunday, 10am – 4pm.
- October – November, Tuesday-Sunday, 9.30 – 4pm.
- Closed on Christmas Day
- Half day for New Years Day and Good Friday, 9.30am – 12.30pm
You can contact them on:
- +61 437 525 890 (0437 525 890)
- information@brickendon.com.au
