Evandale Attractions

Evandale (pop. 850) was founded in 1829. It has been classed as a Historic Village, and the whole village is under statutory protection. It is a unique example of a complete and unspoiled Georgian settlement.

Situated on high ground above the South Esk River, it was originally called Collins Hill but was later renamed in honor of GW Evans, the first surveyor-general of Tasmania. John Kelly, father of the notorious bushranger Ned Kelly, worked here as a convict, and John Batman, founder of Melbourne, and the well-known English landscape painter John Glover lived near the town.

The High Street, with its Georgian and Victorian buildings, is very attractive. The Clarendon Arms Hotel has been in business since 1847. Two notable churches are the Anglican church of 1871, with 300 nameless convicts' graves in the churchyard, and the Uniting Church of 1840, famed as the most beautiful village church in Australia. The massive water tower on the outskirts of the village was built at the end of the 19th C.

To the west of Evandale is the oldest merino sheep station in Australia, established in 1809. The homestead of Pleasant Banks Farm was built in 1838.