Branxholm (Branxholm)
Branxholm is a scenic rural town on the banks of the Ringarooma River in north east Tasmania located 93 km north east of Launceston on the Tasman Highway. It is notable for its saw mill, hop fields and tourism. It has a sprawling street pattern which makes the small town spread across the valley floor.
The area was first settled by James Reid Scott who named it after a small village in his native Scotland. By 1870 there were only three buildings in the valley but three years later, with the discovery of tin, a shanty town had grown up.
The Branxholm Post Office opened on 1 August 1876.
By 1877 the population was around 300, but many others were living nearby in tin mining camps like Ruby Flats. No Chinese lived within Branxholm itself.
In 1883 the town was proclaimed.
In the 1890's the Warrentinna Goldfield opened just north of the town,
The importance of mining gradually declined. The Golden Mara Mine (gold) closed in 1920 and the Arba Tin Mine, just east of the town, was unprofitable by 1921; although the company continued operations for many years with tributors processing the mine tailings. Eventually, mining was replaced by timber cutting.but mining gradually declined to be replaced by timber cutting.
In 1970 the first hop fields were planted.
Since the official opening of the Blue Derby Mountain bike trails in neighbouring Derby in 2015 tourism as an industry is becoming more important to the economy of Branxholm. In the few years since the opening of the trails new businesses catering to tourists have opened, including cafes and tourist accommodation.
The area was first settled by James Reid Scott who named it after a small village in his native Scotland. By 1870 there were only three buildings in the valley but three years later, with the discovery of tin, a shanty town had grown up.
The Branxholm Post Office opened on 1 August 1876.
By 1877 the population was around 300, but many others were living nearby in tin mining camps like Ruby Flats. No Chinese lived within Branxholm itself.
In 1883 the town was proclaimed.
In the 1890's the Warrentinna Goldfield opened just north of the town,
The importance of mining gradually declined. The Golden Mara Mine (gold) closed in 1920 and the Arba Tin Mine, just east of the town, was unprofitable by 1921; although the company continued operations for many years with tributors processing the mine tailings. Eventually, mining was replaced by timber cutting.but mining gradually declined to be replaced by timber cutting.
In 1970 the first hop fields were planted.
Since the official opening of the Blue Derby Mountain bike trails in neighbouring Derby in 2015 tourism as an industry is becoming more important to the economy of Branxholm. In the few years since the opening of the trails new businesses catering to tourists have opened, including cafes and tourist accommodation.
Map - Branxholm (Branxholm)
Map
Country - Australia
 |
 |
| Flag of Australia | |
The ancestors of Aboriginal Australians began arriving from south east Asia approximately 65,000 years ago, during the last ice age. Arriving by sea, they settled the continent and had formed approximately 250 distinct language groups by the time of European settlement, maintaining some of the longest known continuing artistic and religious traditions in the world. Australia's written history commenced with the European maritime exploration of Australia. The Dutch navigator Willem Janszoon was the first known European to reach Australia, in 1606. In 1770, the British explorer James Cook mapped and claimed the east coast of Australia for Great Britain, and the First Fleet of British ships arrived at Sydney in 1788 to establish the penal colony of New South Wales. The European population grew in subsequent decades, and by the end of the 1850s gold rush, most of the continent had been explored by European settlers and an additional five self-governing British colonies established. Democratic parliaments were gradually established through the 19th century, culminating with a vote for the federation of the six colonies and foundation of the Commonwealth of Australia on 1 January 1901. Australia has since maintained a stable liberal democratic political system and wealthy market economy.
Currency / Language
| ISO | Currency | Symbol | Significant figures |
|---|---|---|---|
| AUD | Australian dollar | $ | 2 |
| ISO | Language |
|---|---|
| EN | English language |