Conara: Farming History and Historic Travel Routes

Conara’s local history spans early farming through travel by coach and train. Vaucluse represents an early farm and its surrounding landscape, while Smithvale recalls overnight stays along coach routes. A former railway station adds another perspective on the area’s historic transport routes. These distinct themes offer several ways to get to know the town.

Conara on the Midlands Highway

Conara lies just off the Midlands Highway. The historic building known locally as “The Disappearing House” is initially visible when driving along the highway, then disappears behind a hill. Its changing visibility shapes how the building is described and connects it to the experience of travelling on the Midlands Highway. Anyone travelling along this road will encounter this distinctive feature of the landscape.

Vaucluse: Farm, Architecture and Landscape

Vaucluse Estate Tasmania is located in Conara at 643 Glen Esk Road, Tasmania 7211. Vaucluse is culturally significant as a pioneering farm from the early 19th century in what was then Van Diemen’s Land. The property was continuously used as a major pastoral operation for nearly two centuries. The main residence offers a distinct architectural perspective: it represents both the Old Colonial Georgian and Victorian Italianate styles. Both classifications refer to the same main residence and add to the story of its former agricultural use. The relationship between the property and the surrounding landscape is also part of Vaucluse’s significance. This includes lush plantings, expansive views and rolling hills; the landscape is therefore part of its cultural and historical context.

Visits to the grounds are available by appointment. If you are planning a visit, check the appointment requirements in advance, as they may change.

Smithvale: Coaches and Inn

Smithvale tells another side of the town’s history. The historic building in Conara was built by James and Catherine Smith around 1839–1840. It was established as an inn to provide overnight accommodation for travellers on coach routes, and served as a staging point for coaches between Launceston and Hobart. Accommodation and onward travel were therefore connected: Smithvale played a role for travellers on the route, not just as a place to stay. There are said to have once been stables behind Smithvale where horses were changed. Along with its function as a staging point, the possible use of these stables vividly illustrates how coach travel worked at the time.

Place Name, Railway and Christ Church

Conara was originally known as The Corners. The former railway station is also part of the area’s transport history: passengers could transfer there from the Main Line between Hobart and Launceston to the East Coast via the Fingal Line. This makes it possible to compare two different forms of travel: Smithvale represents coach journeys with overnight stops, while the railway station represents transfers between rail lines.

Another named historic site in Conara is Christ Church at 136 Conara Road. The site includes a church and cemetery. Alongside the stories of Vaucluse, Smithvale and the former transport routes, this site broadens the picture of Conara’s diverse historic places.

Discover more destinations: Rossarden, Kayena, Fentonbury, Prospect Vale, Upper Blessington, Gravelly Beach, Sheffield, Penguin.

For the broader travel overview: Tasmania.