Carrick, Tasmania

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Carrick is a small historic village in northern Tasmania, about 17 kilometres west of Launceston, on the Liffey River. The town sits on the Meander Valley Highway, which used to be the main Launceston–Deloraine–Devonport road but is now bypassed by the highway. Carrick is known for its well-preserved 19th‑century heritage, with fifteen buildings listed on the Tasmanian Heritage Register, including Carrick House (1840), St Andrew’s Church (1848), the Old Watch House (1837), Monds Roller Mill (1846) and the Carrick Hotel (1833).

The first land grant came in 1818, and a wooden flour mill on the river built by William Bryan in 1826 helped start the town. Town plots were sold in 1838, and a post office opened in 1841. Carrick never grew large, with a population that has typically been around 200–400 people; by 2016 it was about 430. Today it is mainly a residential village for people who work in Launceston or in nearby farms. Water and sewerage came late—piped water began in 1961 and a sewerage plant was built in the mid‑1970s—but development has focused on preserving the town’s historic character.

The 1846 Monds Roller Mill is Carrick’s most prominent landmark. It was Tasmania’s last water-powered flour mill and, after renovations, has served as a restaurant, wedding venue and meeting space. Archer’s Folly, next to the mill, is a grand but unfinished colonial house that became a ruin after a fire in 1978. St Andrew’s Church, founded around 1843–45 by Thomas Reibey, remains an active Anglican church with a notable organ. Other heritage sites include Balmoral, The Old Watch House and the Carrick Hotel, which has operated since 1833.

Carrick has a strong racing history. The Carrick Racing Club began in 1848 and the town hosted the Carrick Plate, Australia’s oldest race, for many years. Today the area also hosts trotting, speedway, cycling events and the annual Agfest field day, held every May on Oaks Road and drawing up to 70,000 visitors.

Administratively, Carrick is in the Meander Valley Council area and sits within the Lyons federal and state divisions. The Liffey River runs through the western edge of town and flows into the Meander River, making Carrick a scenic spot for fishing and river life. Notable locals include Thomas Reibey, a former Premier who funded the church and other projects; miller Thomas Monds; and the legendary-but-questioned figure Sammy Cox, who spent many years in the area. Today Carrick remains a small, well-preserved village that preserves its 19th‑century charm while serving as a quiet home for its residents.