Local Attractions
Heritage
The Gardener’s Cottage is located on the southern boundary of the Warrentinna Goldfields. The property was the location of the Rebel gold mine. This mine is one of a number of abandoned gold mines in the area that were dug to follow a seam towards Warrentinna.
The ghosts of the goldfield now haunt the white gums of a threatened native vegetation in the Eucalyptus viminalis wet forest on the northern border of the property.
More successful than the gold rush was the tin mining. The North-East of Tasmania was once a world leader in extraction and export of the metal.
The Rebel mine was filled in and the site became an agricultural property in the 1890s. In the 1970s the original buildings were replaced by the mudbrick dwellings that are the main house and the Overflow today.
The gardens at Mara Ponds were established around 1980 and were a local attraction until they ran wild under the neglect of the previous owners.
Michelle purchased part of the original property in 2021 and is restoring the gardens to their former glory with the assistance of Tad.
Whilst staying at the Gardener’s Cottage organic seasonal produce is available from the veggie garden. Just ask Michelle what is available.
The nearest town is Branxholm. It was settled in the 1860s by James Reid Scott, who named it after a small village in his native Scotland. With the discovery of tin, the town grew. Its current industries are tourism, timber and hops.
Out and About
Suggested Walks
The following are some local favorites from Walks in Tasmania:
| Briseis Water Race | This nearby bush walk follows the remnants of a major engineering feat to funnel water from Ringarooma to Derby for a tin mine |
| Ralph’s Falls | Ralph’s Fall are reached by strolling through a magical forest |
| St Columba Falls | St Columba Falls is Tasmania’s tallest waterfall |
| Cube Rock | Cube rock is Tasmania’s most dubious cube with extensive views |
| Anchor Stampers | The Anchor Stampers were Tasmania’s biggest tin stompings |
| Blue Tier Giant | The Blue Tier giant is ruputed to be Australia’s biggest tree. |
| Mt William National Park | Mt William National Park offers long walks on empty beaches and a variety of coastal wildflowers. |
| Bridport Walking Track | This track links fabulous beaches, wild flower reserve, grasslands, ancient forests and the Brid River to give you a single accessible yet unique walking experience (class 3 track, 4.7 km). |
The Fire Map will assist you when planning your adventures in summer.
Current events around Branxholm
| Branxholm (3 kms) | Swimming pool (2pm – 6pm in summer). Tennis / basketball court. Imperial Hotel provides great pub meals and a traditional atmosphere (Limited hours). Tin Timbers Cafe Is an art gallery and tourist office that serves great coffee, home made pies, pastries, big brekkies and more. Dine in or take-away. The Tuscan Fox Wood-fire Restaurant serves wood-fired pizzas and more. Vegetarian friendly. Casa Pinnocchio traditional Italian cuisine featuring hand-made pasta and locally grown pork, veggies and herbs. Branxholm IGA supermarket has a range of fresh produce, grocery items and take-away foods suitable for your self-catering requirements. Recycling , Mechanical Repairs, Community Market |
| Derby (6 kms) | Derby is the centre for mountain biking. Besides rental of bikes and equipment, Derby offers eateries, groceries, drinkeries and petrol. Shuttle to the Derby and ride a Blue Derby Mountain Bike Trail |
| Ringarooma (10 kms) | Local post office, Butcher, petrol and repairs, swimming pool |
| Winnaleah (15 kms) | Winnaleah Hotel, Post Office, Swimming Pool, Community Market |
| Scottsdale (20 kms) | For a less challenging biking, through luxuriant forest try the Scotsdale Rail Trail from Billycock Hill Sample Tasmanian craft beer at Little Rivers Brewing Co or gin and vodka at Darby-Norris Distillery. |
| Weldborough (30 kms) | Visit the heritage-listed rural Weldborough Hotel |
| Pyengana (50 kms) | The Farmgate Café has cheese tasting of the local dairy produce. You can share a jug of beer with the pig at the Pub in the Paddock |
| Further Afield | See and smell the flowers at the Bridstowe Lavender Estate Boutique cool climate winemakers including Brook Eden Vineyard, Jansz Wine Room & Vineyard and Leaning Church Vineyard are a short distance away. Have a go at fishing for trout. |
Just ask Michelle and she will tell you where to go!