St Matthias’ Anglican Church stands in Windermere on the Tamar River, surrounded by a peaceful cemetery and next to the public boat ramp. Several distinct interests come together when planning a trip: a historical visit, fishing and boating, and a scenic drive along Windermere Road.

St Matthias’ Anglican Church

The heritage-listed St Matthias’ Anglican Church is a landmark in northern Tasmania and one of Australia’s oldest rural churches. It has been in continuous use since its founding. Historical significance and ongoing use as a church come together here: a visit is about more than the age of the building; it also reflects its continued use. For travellers interested in church and regional history, this combination is a specific highlight.

Cemetery and audio tour

The cemetery surrounds the church. There are currently 54 identified grave sites; a further 121 graves are unmarked. The distinction between the two groups matters because the identified grave sites account for only some of the graves described. The number of identified grave sites may change as research continues. A 20-minute smartphone audio tour of the cemetery offers insights into the lives of pioneer families. Check its availability before your trip; the 20 minutes refers to the tour itself, while you can choose how much time to spend at the church and cemetery according to your interests.

Fishing and boating

Windermere Pontoon is suitable for fishing and for getting on and off boats. A concrete ramp right beside it is used to launch small to medium-sized recreational craft. The distinction is useful for planning: fishing and getting on and off boats are the main activities at the pontoon; the ramp is for launching craft. Windermere Jetty is also associated with fishing. Check the condition of the pontoon and ramp on site before planning to use them.

Planning your visit and Windermere Road

Windermere Road offers a scenic drive and is an easy detour from the East Tamar Highway. Including the detour in your road trip adds a stretch of road with its own distinctive scenery. Road conditions can change; check them before you set off. Treat the road as part of your travel planning, and decide separately how much time to allow for the cemetery tour and activities on the water.

When looking for accommodation in Windermere, you can first decide which interests will shape your stay. The church and cemetery offer a focus on cultural and regional history; fishing and boating offer a different emphasis. The audio tour is a clearly defined activity in terms of time, if it is available. Ask yourself which focus best suits the days you plan to spend in Windermere. This helps you choose where to stay based on your travel interests, rather than treating all the local highlights as a single experience.

Discover more destinations: St Helens, Bridport, Hillwood, Glengarry, Waratah, Woodbridge, Oatlands, Scamander.

For the broader travel overview: Tasmania.