Fitzgerald: Historic Routes and a Rich Local History

Fitzgerald brings together a distinctive history of routes and the story of St Boniface Anglican Church. Nearby, the Tyenna River offers another focus: fishing in a river managed as a wild trout fishery. The 1925 journey to Adamsfield is particularly vivid, with stops at Fitzgerald and along the Great Western Track, and an overnight stay on the Florentine River.

Railway Terminus, Track and Overnight Stay

The railway terminated at Fitzgerald in 1925. That year, miners travelling from Fitzgerald to Adamsfield most often used the Great Western Track; their historic journey included an overnight stay on the Florentine River. In the travel arrangements of the time, these places served different purposes: Fitzgerald was the railway terminus, the Great Western Track was the most-used route, and the Florentine River was the overnight stop. This distinction between roles makes the route especially easy to understand. It tells not just of a connection, but also of how transport, route choice and rest came together.

St Boniface Anglican Church and Its Relocation

St Boniface Anglican Church adds a story of structural change to the history of the route. The original weatherboard building was destroyed by fire, and the church was rededicated in June 1935. It remained in Fitzgerald until 1953, when it was relocated to Maydena. Its time in Fitzgerald therefore has a clear historical framework: its rededication after the fire was followed by a change of location. The relocation marked the end of its time in the town. The church is thus part of Fitzgerald's local history, but it is not a building that remains there.

Fishing on the Tyenna River

Nearby, the Tyenna River is a specific point of interest for anglers visiting Fitzgerald. The river is managed as a wild trout fishery; brown trout predominate, while the river is also known for rainbow trout. As a large, fast-flowing river, it offers excellent opportunities for all fishing methods. However, conditions vary by stretch: sections at Westerway, in Mount Field National Park and near Maydena are suitable for fishing from the bank. Other spots are heavily overgrown and better suited to wading.

When choosing a fishing spot, consider whether you have one of the bank-fishing stretches mentioned above in mind, or a more heavily overgrown section. Access rules and restrictions on private land apply. Plan according to the particular stretch and observe these requirements.

Ewes Inn in the Wider Region

Taking a broader regional view brings Ewes Inn into focus, a single-room hut dating from the early 1930s and associated with the Adamsfield Track and Florentine Crossing. The building underwent restoration work in 2014. Ewes Inn is the only surviving hut from the Florentine Crossing era on the Adamsfield Track. It is important to distinguish this from Fitzgerald itself: the hut is in the wider region, not in Fitzgerald.

Choose the Focus of Your Trip

When choosing a holiday rental in Fitzgerald, it helps to decide what you want to focus on: local and route history, or fishing on the nearby Tyenna River. Ewes Inn offers a broader perspective on regional history, but is also in the wider area. This lets you weigh local history, activities and regional heritage according to your interests.

Discover more destinations: Swansea, South Bruny, Orford, Branxholm, Rosny Park, Lulworth, Kettering, Corinna.

For the main travel overview: Tasmania.