THE GROVE
George Town, TASMANIA
ph 61 (0)3 6382 1336 , fax 61 (0)3 6382 3352
email: thegrove@intas.net.au
corner Elizabeth & Cimitiere Sts (PO Box 68) central George Town TAS 7253
The Grove, an elegant part of Tasmanian heritage, comprises a Georgian home, open for inspection; a licensed restaurant; a souvenir shop and B&B accommodation (in Nanna's Cottage). All are set amongst
formal and native gardens.
George Town, site of Australia's third settlement, is located at the mouth of the picturesque Tamar River valley (home to fruit farms and wineries - the source of many fine wines). Layout and photos
Opening hours, house & restaurant . . .
| Opening hours | | Admission Charges |
|---|
| 10.30am - 4.00pm
| | Adults - $7.50 |
|
closed Saturdays, Public Holidays | | Children - $3.50 |
| Note: During summer opening hours may be extended. Group bookings outside these hours are possible. | Concession - $6.00
Families - $17.50 |
|
Staying in Nanna's Cottage . . .
Nanna's Cottage |
|---|
Within the gardens of The Grove and decorated in the style of about the 1920's, "Nanna's" is a self contained cottage with bedroom and ensuite bathroom, lounge and small kitchen. It has comfortable accommodation for three people (double bed and single bed). House trained pets are welcome. A cot is available. For those staying two or more nights, free inspection of The Grove is included.
Charges:
- $85 (for one person), $100(for two) and $20 for each extra adult (children $10) including breakfast provisions.
for winter (16 May til 15 Sept) and long stays charges are lower. [RACT rating 3½ stars] "A Bargain", Mark Bradley Inside Wine magazine, May 1996. Some 2001 visitor book comments "Best accommodation in Tassie by far" (5th April), "What a crime ... to discover such a gem of a place quite by accident - and only stay 1 night" (29th April). We also have a holiday cottage (Chlo's Cottage) more suitable for longer stays. It is a miner's cottage, c. 1870s, originally from the gold town of Lefroy, but dragged by bullock dray into George Town in the early 1900s. Similar facilites to Nanna's Cottage except only a double bed at present but with own private yard, BBQ, washing facilities. Rates from $280 a week.
Some History
Have a look at George Town's history also.
The Davies family, who purchased 'The Grove' in 1889 report that they were told that the house was built as a home for the military commandant, and completed about 1827. Remembering that it is situated in Cimitiere St., and that Colonel Cimitiere was the military commandant, may give that story some credibility.
However, recent research suggests that the house was very likely built by Lieutenant Matthew Curling Friend, ship's captain, who was appointed to the post of Port Officer in 1832. He administered the whole of the river port of the Tamar river, called Port Dalrymple, because in those days of course the ships were much smaller, and used to go right to Launceston. He moved from Launceston to George Town late in 1835 apparently on completion of construction.
Grove maids at work |
|---|
The house has had many owners, as people came to the town to do a job, and left again. Matthew Curling Friend owned the house til about 1852 when he retired to England though it was owned briefly by Revd Fereday and his family from 1846-49. Then William Lushington Goodwin (former ships Captain whose ship sunk in the Tamar, after which he started the Cornwall Chronicle, a Launceston newspaper that he used to lambast all and sundry) lived here til his death in 1862 and his wife for about 7 years longer. Dr James Richardson, former surgeon for the Van Diemens Land Company, owned the house for 20 years til 1889 when Joseph Davies (who had come to the area to manage a gold mine at Lefroy, and then the newly opened Beaconsfield gold mine) bought it, apparently in run-down condition. He carried out some restoration including replacing the wooden shingles with iron. The Davies family continued here until 1942 when Joseph's son, Thomas, died and the family departed. In 1968, The Grove was in a terrible condition, and the local council considered restoring it, then considered putting a demolition order on it. After a lot of local concern and agitation, this became a closure order, and many avenues of saving the house were explored. By 1969, when nothing had been achieved, Chlo and Peter Martin decided to look into what would be involved in restoring the house. After extensive investigation they adventurously purchased it and plunged into what was to be two years of constant hard work to bring The Grove back to life. Through the years, the gardens have gradually been developed around the format that was already there, and our licensed restaurant built in the gardens.