| SHEFFIELD,
30km south of Devonport, is a popular stop en route to Cradle
Mountain, and is situated near the base of Mount Roland (1231m)
among farmland made fertile by red volcanic soils. The town’s economy
was ailing when the community decided to reinvent itself through the
medium of visual art; since the mid-1980s 25 murals in various
styles, showing the history of the town, have been painted, and there are
other murals in the district. |
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| Tourism
has increased, and the population of about a thousand has benefited from
this boost to the local economy. The Diversity Murals Theatrette,
at 34 Main St (Mon–Fri 8.30am–5.30pm, Sat 10am–5.30pm, Sun 1–5pm;
donation), screens images of the murals and fills you in on the history of
the project. Sheffield is also noted for being the home of the notoriously
right-wing former premier of Queensland, Johannes (“Joh”)
Bjelke-Petersen, who now lives here part of the year in semi-retirement
with his wife Flo. Together they have opened Flo’s Country Kitchen,
and if you’re curious you can sample her supposedly “world-famous
pumpkin scones”.
Sixteen kilometres southwest of Sheffield, at GOWRIE
PARK at the base of Mount Roland, you can stay at Mt Roland
Accommodation, which has bunk-style sleeping quarters and is a good
base for walks up and around the summit. The adjacent Weindorfers
Restaurant (tel 03/6491 1385) is recommended for its delicious meals
cooked with fresh Tasmanian produce. You can get to Gowrie Park and
Sheffield with Tasmanian Wilderness Travel on their scheduled Queenstown
to Launceston service via Cradle Mountain. |