Ross & Campbell town

When we were given a day off from our work - we wouldn't call it work, how can you call something you love WORK????? 95kms We travelled on the Tasman Highway north of Swansea until the road forked and we turned off onto the Leake Highway and travelled NNW.
View Larger Map We travelled through heavily wooded country & the climb had some bends in the road. Our first find was approx 4km down a dirt road, it opened out to Lake Leake - they have a Tavern which is only open from Thursday - Sunday, available for accommodation and meals. A camping ground, trout fishing with people who obtain a license. Travelled up the Leake Highway until another fork in the road, 16kms to Ross to the right or less than 1km to Campbell Town, of course we took the one into Campbell Town. Campbell Town is a town in Tasmania, on the Midland Highway. Population of approx 1,000 residents. Campbell Town Post Office opened on 1 June 1832. Today, the town acts as the only major rest area on the Midland Highway. One of Campbell Town's features is the convict-built Red Bridge, the oldest bridge on the National Highway. It was named by Governor Macquarie after his wife, Elizabeth Campbell, as was the river passing through the town, the Elizabeth River. The bridge and causeway, were built as a part of the original main road. Construction was commenced in 1836 and completed in 1838. It consists of drystone abutments and timber top, although the top has been replaced, the stone abutments are original, making this a rare example of early Australian stone work. Campbell Town is also home to The Foxhunters Return, a colonial Georgian coaching inn, which retains all its original outbuildings and continues to function as an inn for travellers along the highway. Built by convicts around 1833, with the main building constructed under the direction of stonemason Hugh Keane. After admiring the lovely old buildings and "Red Bridge" we noticed wood carvings in the park next to the bridge. We thank travelled along Midland Highway to the historical town of Ross. Ross sits on the banks of the Macquarie River, Ross is located 78 km south of Launceston and 117 km north of Hobart and is one of Australia's most appealing convict-built stone villages. What’s special about Ross? Well it is because it is the home to the Australia's 3rd oldest bridge, or its cobble-style paths & grand old elm tree lined main street, & arguably the finest 19th century village in Australia. Walk down to the Ross Bridge, designed by John Lee Archer, possibly the most beautiful of its kind left in the world. The detail of its 186 carvings by convict stonemasons was deemed of such high quality that it won the men a free pardon. Like other parts of Tasmania's Midlands, the Ross area is famous for its superfine merino wool. I purchased wool to make Drew a scarf at the Tasmanian Wool Centre where we found a Heritage Museum and Wool Exhibition. We then visited the Female factory where convict women were kept just out of Ross. PHOTOS: 1-Post Office; 2-Old stables near Catholic Church; 3-Catholic Church; 4-Bridge sculpture; 5-Female factory ruins; 6-Bridge