Campbell Town, Tasmania

It was our initial plan to visit an old church for a Sunday worship service on our way from Bicheno to Burnie on 31 March which happened to be a Sunday.

Our internet search led us to "The Church", a restaurant converted from a magnificent old sandstone church built in 1857. Before the drive, we had decided to stop at Campbell to have lunch at "The Church" before moving on to our next destination.

It was a surprise to see such a magnificent church building in such remote interior of Tasmania. Its Gothic architecture and towering needle spire is comparable to those seen in some of the Eastern European countries. This Church building was once St. Andrew Anglican Church.

"The Church"

We did find "The Church", but the idea of having lunch there had to be abandoned as it has closed for business and the property has been put up for sale. 

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The large number of old church buildings scattered in such a small town speaks of a once thriving Christian community in Campbell. Now with a population of under 800, it is no wonder that church buildings were closed and sold over the years since there are just too few church goers to sustain the continuation and maintenance of these structures and facilities. Campbell has become a transit point for short break and rest along the Midland Highway. Travelers stop here for toilet breaks, enjoy a walk in the park, have a meal in one of the food outlets and then move on.

Brickhill Memorial Church, built in 1879 and closed as a
church in 1964. Now converted to become a residence.

St. Michael's Catholic Church built in 1857.

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In Campbell town, we took some time off to see the old Red Bridge built using convict labour in 1838. It consists of stone/brick abutments and timber top which had since been replaced. This bridge is the oldest surviving brick arched bridge in Australia. 

The Red Bridge spans across the scenic Elizabeth River.