Ross between convict history and wool culture

In Ross, you can explore local history and craftsmanship through its buildings and exhibitions. The Ross Female Factory represents the history of the convict site, the Ross Bridge is a dated structure with numerous carved images, and the Wool Museum covers topics related to wool. There are also churches, information about the historic quarry and a nature art project. These varied points of interest give you a starting point for exploring Ross according to your interests.

Convict history in Ross

The Ross Factory is Australia’s best-preserved women’s convict site archaeologically. The Ross Female Factory was built in the early 1840s as a probation station. Female convicts were imprisoned there from 1847 to 1854. The Overseer’s Cottage at the Ross Female Factory houses an exhibition on the site’s history, including a model of the Female Factory as it was in 1851.

The Ross Bridge and its carved images

The Ross Bridge was completed in 1836. Its stone arches are carved with 186 images. In addition to its date, this gives visitors another specific detail through which to connect with Ross’s history: the images carved into the stone. This offers a different perspective from the chronological development of the Female Factory. While the factory’s construction and use provide the historical context there, the bridge’s structure and carved images take centre stage here.

Wool history at the museum

The Wool and Heritage Galleries at the Wool Museum and History Museum in Ross display numerous artefacts, images and documents. The wool exhibition also recreates a shearing shed: freshly spread wool lies on the sorting table, with a manual wool press beside it. In this way, the exhibition brings together different forms of presentation, from images and documents to a recreated work scene. If you are interested in wool, you can take a closer look both at the exhibits and at the specific fittings in the recreated shed.

Churches and the quarry

Churches are also among Ross’s historic landmarks. St John’s Anglican Church, also known as the Church of England, is one of three churches in the town. The Uniting Church in Ross opened in 1885.

At the Ross Historic Quarry, information panels outside the entrance explain colonial quarrying methods, tools and the crafts practised there. From the top of the quarry, you can enjoy views over the village and the surrounding farmland. This place therefore combines information about quarry work with views of Ross and its agricultural surroundings.

Nature art on the Macquarie River

The Species Hotel sculptures are located on the banks of the Macquarie River in Ross. They are designed to attract native wildlife to nest boxes. This adds a nature-related aspect to the historical themes: here, the focus is on the sculptures’ design and their intended function as nest boxes. For choosing what interests you in Ross, this offers another perspective alongside convict history, the bridge, the wool exhibition and the quarry.

Discover more destinations: Richmond, Lalla, Deloraine, Lebrina, Chudleigh, Petcheys Bay, Currie, Bridgewater.

For the broader travel overview: Tasmania.