Rathmore, c. 1828

History

‘Rathmore’, in Tasmania’s magnificent Central Highlands & nestled beside the Derwent Valley, was established in 1828 as a sheep property on 2,560 acres, with Rathmore House built not long after. Following the Napoleonic wars, and time with the Merchant Marine on the India route, retired Lieutenant Henry Torlesse Bowden arrived into Hobart on the 20th May, 1828 on the barque Wanstead. Bowden was granted the property, and soon after, met & married Frances Hawthorne, a young Irish lady. It was love at first sight, and a happy union. Bowden was known to be ‘fond of social life and entertaining friends’ - a tradition that continues on at Rathmore House today.

Named after his wife’s grandfather’s home in Ireland, Rathmore House is a important example of early Georgian architecture in Tasmania. Constructed from lime & sandstone blocks, hewn by convicts and quarried on the property, there are also several outbuildings made from local timber which date to the same period. The interior of the main house features original Tasmanian oak & cedar doors, architraves, windows, and floors; ornate fireplaces, and soaring ceilings. Heritage-listed and steeped in history, Rathmore will delight travellers seeking an authentic historic country getaway.

Hosts Cally & Richard Lyons became the current custodians of Rathmore in 2016, comprising of the main house, shearing shed with dovecote, shearers quarters, shearers cook’s cottage, stables, sheep and cattle yards, and the old barn and big shed - some of which are used as additional accommodation, and for weddings & events. Cally is also a Destination Southern Tasmania board member, passionate about promoting regional tourism that embraces Tasmania’s Central Highlands, it’s history and heritage.

Accommodation

Guests are made to feel immediately at home at Rathmore House. A delicious homemade afternoon tea is served upon arrival, with vintage fine bone china tea cups. Choose to stay in one of four elegant heritage rooms, with the Master bedroom featuring a king bed and its own open fireplace. Next to the Torlesse Double room, these rooms can be joined to create a spacious suite that’s perfect for families of four, with a cot also available. Upstairs are the Attic Queen and Twin rooms, with charming angled ceilings & dormer windows, that feature stunning views overlooking picturesque countryside.

In total, Rathmore House sleeps up to 11 guests, and all beds are fitted with Australian wool doonas and quality bedding for a blissful night’s sleep. Each bedroom also features unique pieces from Tasmanian antique stores, carefully hand-picked to reflect the home’s era. The large, fully-accessible main bathroom has heated flooring for the cooler months, and there’s also a smaller second bathroom for guests’ use. Both have plush monogrammed towels and complimentary local handmade soaps & hair products.

Also included in your stay are breakfast provisions of muesli, porridge, milks, butter, homemade jams and preserves, a wide selection of leaf teas from Tasmania’s Art of Tea, and ground coffee. For your convenience, home-cooked suppers can be provided (order in advance) or for a romantic dinner to remember, your hosts will arrange a three course, candlelit dinner in the grand formal dining room. A truly special dining experience, enjoy Cally’s family recipes using fresh, local Derwent Valley produce and succulent Rathmore-bred grass fed lamb. Accompanying your meals are premium wines from local boutique wineries. Afterwards, marshmallows are always in plentiful supply to toast over one of homestead’s five open fireplaces.

In the guest lounge, relax on the Chesterfield leather sofa by the fire, and choose from a wide range of books on art, history & classics, cooking, or novels. There’s also playing cards, jigsaw puzzles, and board games to play - perfect for staying in on rainy days. You can also catch up on your favourite Netflix series on the widescreen TV.

If you prefer separate, fully self-contained accommodation, rustic Rathmore Cottage, formerly the Shearers Cooks Cottage, sleeps 2 with a cosy living/dining area and kitchen, ideal for couples or solo travellers. For larger groups of family & friends, the historic Shearer’s Quarters sleeps up to 8 guests. Four bedrooms, including a twin room each have their own ensuite bathroom, as well as access to a shared messroom with fireplace & large kitchen for self-catering. Or if you’d prefer, your hosts can arrange a cooked breakfast and gourmet platters, so you can spend less time preparing meals and more time enjoying the farm.

Two acres of rambling country gardens, and 92 acres of paddocks await, along with wildlife and farm animals - feed the chickens & ducks, and watch platypus swimming in the Dew Rivulet. If you’re feeling adventurous, head out at night by torch light, and you might spot wallabies, pademelons, quolls, possums, wombats, or even a Tasmanian devil.

History lovers will enjoy admiring the various heritage outbuildings on the property, now repurposed as unique venues for weddings & special events. With so much to see & do, including sunset picnics with canapes, Tasmanian cheeses & wine, campfires, long country walks, and immersing yourself in farm life, a stay at Rathmore is only limited by your imagination.

Exclusive Offer

Book 2 or more nights and mention Historic Stays to receive a complimentary supper for two in the Stables. Set with antique furniture under a rusty chandelier, spot the resident platypus in the Dew Rivulet as you dine!

Special Features

Guest Lounge

Heritage Listed

Open Fireplace

Farmstay

Things To Do

The Central Highlands region has a distinctly English countryside feel. In New Norfolk, a short drive away, visit The Bush Inn, one of Australia’s oldest continuously licensed pubs, and Australia’s oldest Anglican church, St Matthews. If you love spooky adventures, Willow Court Asylum Ghost Tours will inform and delight. And be sure to book a table at renowned The Agrarian Kitchen Eatery, with its one-acre kitchen garden providing most of their menu’s produce. Shop for antiques at Drill Hall Emporium, and visit boutique stores Miss Arthur Home Goods and Flywheel Press. Other must-see Central Highlands historic townships include Hamilton, Oatlands, Richmond, Kempton and Bothwell - which celebrated its bicentenary in 2022. And it’s an easy day trip to Hobart attractions including MONA, just 45 minutes away.