Arion Park Hipcamp

The Ross Female Factory, erected in 1833, is located in the town of Ross, Tasmania. It was initially built to house the convict chain gains employed on the Ross Bridge. The Ross Female Factory is one of four female factories built in Tasmania. Between 1847 and 1854 it operated as a probation station for female convicts and their babies. The buildings were converted from a chain gang station and extended to include a chapel, dining rooms, hospital, nursery, solitary cells, dormitories and an outer courtyard. The women were taught how to sew, clean, cook, launder and care for their children. The Ross Female Factory is a protected historic site today, managed by the Parks and Wildlife Service and the Tasmanian Wool Centre of Ross. Visit the Overseer's Cottage and look at the display including a model of the Female Factory in 1851. You will notice that there are few remains above ground, however, the Ross Female Factory is the most archaeologically intact female convict site in Australia. Take time to follow the Ross Heritage Trail which runs past the site. Ross is about a one-hour drive from Launceston (78 km) south along the Midlands Highway.

The Ross Hotel is located right in the middle of Tasmania, in the historic and picturesque town of Ross. A meeting place in the Midlands for generations of Tasmanians and tourists alike, we pride ourselves on good food and drinks, and a relaxed atmosphere.

Classwood specialises in finely crafted Tasmanian timber products, located at Ross in the Tasmanian midlands. Classwood is housed in a heritage-listed drill hall (circa 1900) originally used during World War One for Light Horse Brigade training. Now it features a display of wall murals, fine timber work and crafts. You can browse the range of products which include handcrafted kitchenware, vases, decorative timber boxes, wood-turned platters, bowls and carvings. Many of the pieces use specialty Tasmanian timbers such as Huon pine, Blackwood, Myrtle and Sassafras. They also have handmade jewelry and other crafted items. Classwood is a family-owned and operated Tasmanian business. The colonial township of Ross is one of Australia's best-preserved 19th century villages with a total of 40 historic buildings. You can walk the town's tree-lined streets to see examples of the town's architecture including the Ross Bridge (1836), St Johns Church of England (1868) and the Macquarie House and Store (1840s) which now contains a collection of military memorabilia dating from 1800. Ross is a classified historic town, just under a 90-minute drive north of Hobart (121 kilometres) and one-hour drive south of Launceston (78 kilometres).