Latrobe: Lumberjack Heritage and Chocolate

Latrobe combines a distinctive lumberjack heritage with insights into chocolate making. The first formally regulated competitive “World Championship” woodchopping event was held here in 1891. Visitors can also watch staff temper, mould and coat chocolate through viewing windows. These different experiences give your trip a clear focus: you can explore the history of the competition, the annual festival, or chocolate and tastings.

Latrobe’s lumberjack heritage

The Australian Axeman’s Hall of Fame is located at Bell’s Parade in Latrobe. The Hall’s name and the history of the competition make woodchopping events a distinctive theme for a stay in town. The 1891 competition is a specific historical reference point: it was the first formally regulated competitive “World Championship” woodchopping event, and it was held in Latrobe. If you’re interested in this part of the town’s history, you can include the Hall in your travel plans.

The Australian Axeman’s Hall of Fame is open to the public Tuesday to Sunday, from 10:30 am to 3:00 pm. These hours can help you fit a visit into your day. Bell’s Parade is on the Latrobe Inlet of the Mersey River. This means the Hall is also associated with a named location on the inlet, which you can use as a reference point when finding your way around Latrobe.

An annual event on 26 January

The Henley-On-The-Mersey carnival festival is held every year on Australia Day, 26 January, at Bell’s Parade. If you’re planning to visit Latrobe for the festival, the date is an important point to consider when planning your trip. Unlike a visit planned around the Hall’s regular opening hours, this event takes place on a set date each year. Before choosing your accommodation, you can consider whether the event will determine your travel dates or whether you’d prefer to explore Latrobe at another time.

See and taste chocolate

Another side of Latrobe can be found at the Anvers Chocolate Factory. Through viewing windows, visitors can watch staff at work as they temper, mould and coat chocolate. This gives you a closer look at several stages of production, rather than experiencing chocolate only as a finished product. If you’re exploring together, you can decide whether you’d rather watch the production process or make tasting a highlight.

The tasting centre and shop at the Anvers Chocolate Factory offer a selection of samples. The address of House of Anvers is: 9025 Bass Highway, Latrobe, Tasmania.

Choosing Latrobe as your accommodation base

A holiday apartment or holiday house in town is a suitable option for a stay focused on the lumberjack heritage, the festival at Bell’s Parade or chocolate making. Which of these interests shapes your stay may also influence when you travel: the carnival festival takes place annually on 26 January, while the Hall is open Tuesday to Sunday, from 10:30 am to 3:00 pm.

More town pages: Moina, Scottsdale, Alonnah, Campbell Town, Hagley, Ringarooma, Dover, Port Sorell.

For the broader travel overview: Tasmania.