Kempton was once a bustling town

Like many small places, Kempton is now a small town where, dare I say it, not much happens these days. Well, not like it did in the old days, anyway and maybe the locals prefer it that way. Mind you, the night we went to the pub for dinner, the bistro was packed.  So there are plenty of people in the area.  We had a great meal, washed down with a lovely 2013 Margaret River Shiraz.

Anyway, I digress.  Kempton is 48 km north of Hobart on the Midland Highway.  We stayed there on our way to Snug.  It was a very windy day and we were lucky because the van was facing into the wind.  Kempton has a lovely little free camp for self contained vehicles and there are a small number of powered sites for a donation.  We took a powered site and left a $5 donation.  There is an undercover BBQ  area, very clean with two power points and if you want access to the toilet and shower then you can get a key from the council for $10.

Kempton was originally settled in 1820 and has sported a number of names since then.   The first was Green Water Holes, then Green Water Ponds and then it was shortened to Green Ponds.  This was in the space of just over a year mind you.

Then some 70 odd years later it was renamed Kempton after Anthony Fenn Kemp.  Mr Kemp had a colourful history in the then colony of New South Wales and played an important part in the rum rebellion against Governor William Bligh.  He settled in Van Diemen's Land in 1816, where he became a leading figure amongst graziers, merchants, importers and shippers.  He imported red deer into Tasmania and at some time, was a director and later, the chairman of the Van Diemen's Land Bank.

There were two convict stations in Kempton and a military barracks and it was the main coach stop between Hobart and Launceston between 1842 and 1845.  There are many lovely buildings in Kempton and Dyart House is an excellent example.

Built in1843 by William Henry Ellis, Dyart House was originally called the Green Ponds Hotel, then it became the Commercial Inn.  At one stage it was an educational facility for young ladies and then a private house.

Mr Ellis was sentenced to transportation in 1825 for embezzlement. He was pardoned after serving only 5 years of his 14 year sentence.  He opened a store, part of which still stands opposite Dysart House.  He expanded his trading store by opening one in Bothwell and one in Ouse.  His business enterprises were very successful and provided the finance to build the Georgian style Dyart House.  Apart from providing fine accommodation for travellers, Dysart House hosted many glamorous functions in its ballroom and the impressive stables could house up to 22 horses.

Dyart House is now in private ownership

Kempton was a wheat and sheep area and over time, the town provided for every need from goods at the Green Ponds Store (owned by Mr Ellis), to drapers, wheelwrights, blacksmiths, a brothel, an Undertaker (run by one family for several generations), a steam flour mill, a brewery (run by a lay preacher) and a cordial factory.  

Glad to show you some photos of the lovely buildings that are still standing and used as private residences.

Built in 1840, the Congregational Church - looks like it needs some TLC

Kent Cottage today

Kent Cottage as it was around 1890 when it was it as owned by George Lumsden

Glebe House - built around 1839 by Reverend George Otter, the Anglican Chaplain for Green Ponds.  It was described as "one of the finest houses in town, a capital dwelling, having every possible convenience and suitable for a gentleman's family or scholastic establishment, containing flower and kitchen gardens and paddocks" 

Wilmot Arms Inn built in 1843

Wilmot Inn is a lovely old building, with a separate flat as well as 6 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, a breakfast room, formal and casual living areas, a commercial kitchen and a couple of fireplaces, set on 1/2 in the main street of town. It has been fully restored to its former glory, it served as a B & B for a while and is now a private home. The Inn was sold to its present owners in May 2014 for AU$459,000....what a bargain.

St Peter's Church - now deconsecrated and privately owned.

Building of St Peter's Church commenced in 1918 with the original cost estimate being 1600 pounds. It was finished in 1923, with a cost blow out to 3400 pounds....sound familiar people!

We enjoyed our short stay at Kempton, a place that I would be happy to return to during our travels around Tasmania.