Tasmanian Wool Centre — Attraction in Ross

The Tasmanian Wool Centre was established in 1988 with the assistance of the then Ross Municipal Council, grants from the State and Federal Governments and generous donations from many members of the community.

Operating as a not-for-profit organisation, the Centre is overseen by an honorary board of Trustees.

The principal object of the Corporation is to foster the economic and social development and improvement of the village of Ross which includes the following-

Provide and maintain a museum, depicting the heritage of the village and its historical links to wool growing in the area. Promote the properties of wool through showcasing its uses in the retail area. Promote the heritage features of the village to visitors. Provide local employment. Raise finance and other forms of financial assistance for the benefit of the community of Ross. Seek funding or supply funds for conservation projects in the village. Profits from retail sales support the abovementioned objectives.

On-site management of the Ross Female Factory is provided by staff at the Centre. Upgraded displays and interpretation at the site have been made possible through grants totalling over $200,000, awarded by the Tasmanian Community Fund to the Tasmanian Wool Centre.

The Tasmanian Wool Centre attracts over 50,000...

Located on Church Street, just up from the crossroads in the centre of Ross, housed in a historic colonial sandstone building is the Tasmanian Wool Centre. It is open seven days a week between 9:30am-4:30pm on weekdays and 10:00am-4:00pm on weekends.

When you first walk in, you feel that you are in an upmarket store, with a range of fashionable high-quality woollen garments on display. All the products sold are made with Australian/Tasmanian wool (though some unfortunately are manufactured overseas).

I failed, at first, to realise is that at the back of the store is a well curated museum, which traces the evolution of the wool industry in Tasmania and the Midlands area, together with displays highlighting the development of Ross from its colonial convict origins. The museum includes a touch and feel display of different types and microns of superfine merino wool - the smell and touch of the natural lanolin, brings the experience to a new level.

I am so glad we spent the time, exploring the Wool Centre, as it gave us a great insight and appreciation into the history of Ross and the role it played in developing Australia's...

The village of Ross in central Tasmania is to my mind the most Georgian town in Australia. Its wide, tree-lined streets, full of early Colonial buildings and an equally old convict-built bridge, is worth the trip from Hobart or Launceston. And the Tasmanian Wool Centre showcasing Tassie's local wool products has an extra. It also contains a history museum including convict and WW 1 material of great interest. Its staff are local and full of information about the area as well as knowledgeable about the products they showcase. Its a must when visiting this time-capsule town.( There is an Information centre next door as well.) And don't forget to visit either of the town's two...