While it is known as the ‘village of roses’, the tiny Tasmanian community of Chudleigh certainly doesn’t rely on flower power alone to attract a growing number of grey nomads.
Indeed, as well as its famously attractive streetscape, historic buildings, and budget camping, the friendly farming community boasts a surprising number of unique attractions, both in the village itself and in the wider area.
The Van Diemen’s Land Company created a stock route that ran through what is now Chudleigh in the early 1820s.
The community, located about 17 kilometres west of Deloraine and just west of the village of Mole Creek, then slowly grew due to the opportunities presented by farming, and then by limestone mining and lime production.
Chudleigh’s General Store has evolved over time to become an antique emporium, a cafe and even a live event venue. PIC: Adrian Cook / Tourism Tasmania
At one stage, the village was earmarked to become a major rail junction and plans were made for a population of 5,000 or more. That never really happened although a local rail line from Deloraine to Mole Creek passed through here until its closure in 1985.
At its peak, there were four churches here, a school, a town hall, a pub, a police station, and a telegraph station. Several fantastic historic buildings serve as a reminder of Chudleigh’s rich heritage, as does the traditional agricultural and horticultural show which takes place each February.
First held in 1889, the Chudleigh Show is one of Australia’s oldest, and has run pretty much continuously apart from breaks during the two world wars and the Covid pandemic.
Melita Honey Farm offers many honey-based products. PIC: Adrian Cook / Tourism Tasmania
The ‘village of roses’ label stems from the large number of roses planted in Chudleigh’s main street as part of a beautification drive at the turn of the century.
And the village certainly emanates a sense of community pride. One of the unique attractions here is the Chudleigh General Store which opened in 1886, and has now evolved from a traditional general store into the Hearth of Chudleigh, an antique emporium, cafe, and live event venue.
Also well worth a look is Chudleigh’s Melita Honey Farm which produces an amazing range of artisan honey and beeswax-based products.
Just out of town is Trowunna Wildlife Park, which has been at the heart of Tasmanian wildlife conservation and education since 1979. As well as housing a population of endangered Tasmanian Devils, it also hosts many other marsupials, birds and reptiles.
Eight kilometres east of Chudleigh is a truffle farm, where visitors can learn about the history of truffle growing, and join in a truffle hunt of their own.
The Mole Creek Karst National Park is about 30 kilometres west of Chudleigh and boasts some incredible cave systems, including Marakoopa Chudleigh’s charm and King Solomons Cave, as well as a number of gorges and underground streams.
The Alum Cliffs, about five kilometres north-west of Chudleigh, form a part of the Gog Range and are a great place to take in some stunning views. And waterfall lovers will no doubt have Lobster Falls just east of town on their itinerary, as well as Westmorland Falls, about 12 kilometres to the south west.
There are caravan parks nearby at Mole Creek but, in Chudleigh itself, 72-hour camping is on offer at the showgrounds for a nominal fee.
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