Buckland: Church, Inn and Old Convict Road

Buckland brings together several distinct themes for a stay: local history, church architecture, a historic inn and the Old Convict Road. Buckland Church and the Buckland Inn represent different examples of architecture; the trail leads to the ruins of the Probation Station and showcases examples of convict labour. There is also the Buckland Playground right next to the inn. You can therefore tailor your visit to Buckland depending on whether you are more interested in architecture, history, a walking trail or a place for children and dogs to run around.

Local History and Church Architecture

The local history can be explored through two specific facts: Buckland was first settled in 1820 and was originally known as Prosser Plains. The former name and the year of settlement mark different aspects—the name of the place and the beginning of its settlement. If you are interested in its historical development, these details provide a starting point before turning to individual buildings or the Old Convict Road.

Buckland Church was completed in 1846 and is a replica of the parish church in Cookham Dean, Sussex. It is considered the most authentic example of early medieval English church architecture in Tasmania. This brings together a precisely identified model and a Tasmanian context. If you want to understand the historical architecture, the church offers two specific points of reference: the building it replicates and the type of architecture it represents in Tasmania.

Sandstone, Playground and Old Convict Road

The Buckland Inn was built in 1841 from locally hand-hewn sandstone. This distinguishes it in the description from the church: the church is defined by its model and architectural classification, while the inn is defined by its material and year of construction. The Buckland Playground is right next to the inn. It gives dogs and children space to run around—a specific recreational offering alongside the historical themes of the other places.

The Old Convict Road is a flat, easily accessible walking trail that showcases examples of convicts’ manual labour and architectural ingenuity. The route begins in Orford and reaches the ruins of the Probation Station in Buckland; the station is at the end of the Old Convict Road. The trail thus connects a named historical theme with a specific destination. Its distinctive feature is the combination of a walking trail and examples of convict labour; at Buckland Church, by contrast, the focus is on an architectural model and the classification of early medieval English church architecture. If you are planning your visit around historical themes, this distinction offers a practical guide.

Discover more destinations: Carrick, Mole Creek, Thirlstane, Sisters Beach, South Bruny, Randalls Bay, St Marys, Hagley

For the broader travel overview: Tasmania.