Evandale

Evandale is a Georgian village south of Launceston, best known for its 19th-century buildings and relatively untouched streetscape. The town, with a population of nearly 1,100, is only five kilometres (three miles) south of Launceston Airport. Every year, avid cyclists suit up in skin-hugging Lycra for a national championship road race. But wait till you see their bikes - you'll never associate penny farthings with straight backs and top hats again. These National Penny Farthing Championships are a highlight of the Evandale Village Fair, held on the last Saturday in February. Many of the arts and crafts made in the area are showcased every Sunday at the Evandale Market, with more than 100 stalls of crafts, food and amusements. The Evandale Light Railway Society runs trains in conjunction with the market on the second and last Sunday of the month (subject to the weather). At other times, you can visit local antique galleries and craft shops. Look out for the statue of renowned 19th-century artist John Glover, who lived and died in nearby Deddington. Clarendon House, a grand Georgian mansion owned by the National Trust, is 10 kilometres south, towards Nile. The Tasmanian Gourmet Sauce Company produces delicious berry, pasta and chocolate sauces, as well as many relishes and chutneys. The company's tasting centre and factory are on the B41, between the town and the Midland Highway. They are set among the beautiful Ericvale Gardens, where you can see Tasmania's largest display of topiary. The region was discovered in 1811 by Governor Lachlan Macquarie but the town was not settled until 1816. It was named after George William Evans, a painter and surveyor, and was home to John Kelly, whose son was the bushranger Ned Kelly. Evandale has an average maximum of 23 degrees Celsius (74.5 degrees Fahrenheit) in January and 11.5 degrees Celsius (52.5 degrees Fahrenheit) in June. The town is just off the Midland Highway, an easy 20-minute drive from Launceston on the C416.