Longford

With a main street lined by convict-era buildings and grand estates on its outskirts, Longford knows how to turn on the old-school charm.

Set aside an afternoon to wander its antiques shops and admire the stained-glass windows of Christ Church, which were made in Newcastle-upon-Tyne and shipped across the world to Tasmania in 1842. They’re the oldest stained-glass windows in the state. To go deeper, grab a National Trust brochure from the post office and take a self-guided walking tour of the town.

In the surrounding rural landscape, step into the histories of Woolmers Estate and Brickendon, where farming families used convict labour to create grand reminders of their English heritage. The two neighbouring country estates are part of the UNESCO Australian Convict Sites World Heritage listing, and you can even spend the night in them.

With all this history, Longford still knows how to live in the fast lane: its 7.2km Grand Prix track saw many of the motor-racing greats of the 1950s and 1960s - including Sir Jack Brabham, Bruce McLaren, Jim Clark and Jackie Stewart - burn rubber on its streets. Its most famous stretch, The Flying Mile, which saw cars reach a staggering 288km/h, is mostly still driveable today – just stick to the speed limits.

Where

Longford is a 20min drive (22km) south of Launceston.

Insider tips

• Visit the Tasmanian Honey Company in nearby Perth to taste its spicy leatherwood honey.
• Some of the state’s best bed and breakfasts are found around Longford, among them Cressy House Estate (1872) and Panshanger Estate (1835), built in the Greek Revival style.