Discover Sheffield: Murals, history and Mount Roland
Accommodation in Sheffield
Sheffield combines large-scale murals with local history, steam railway heritage and walking trails in the foothills of Mount Roland. This makes the town interesting for anyone wanting to bring different kinds of discovery together on a trip: public art, glimpses into life in earlier times and time spent in the landscape. When choosing your holiday accommodation, consider whether Sheffield itself will be a focus of your stay—and whether you would prefer to centre your plans on culture or hiking.
Murals tell stories of the region
Sheffield’s first mural was officially unveiled in 1986. The murals tell the region’s story through the people, events and natural attractions of the Kentish municipality. They offer a way into local history that is especially suited to visitors who like to get to know a destination through its stories and visible traces.
Mural Park features the murals by the nine finalists in the most recent competition of the annual International Mural Fest. Kentish Council has also included the park in its Mural Walking Tour. If you’re interested in the murals, you can take both of these aspects into account when planning a stay in Sheffield: the works from the most recent competition and the park’s inclusion in the designated tour.
Museum, steam history and crafts
The Kentish Museum displays household and farming items dating back to the 19th century. The collection offers a tangible glimpse of everyday objects and agricultural work. The museum’s genealogy service helps visitors trace their family history. This may be particularly appealing to travellers interested not only in the history of a place, but also in their own family history.
Steam history is another of Sheffield’s cultural points of interest. The Redwater Creek Steam and Heritage Society was founded in 1993 at the Sheffield Steam and Heritage Centre. Its aim was to preserve the heritage of the steam age in a working environment. At the original Sheffield Railway Station, steam train services depart every half hour between 11 am and 4 pm. The station also serves as a café. This combination of railway heritage and a café makes the station a destination in its own right for visitors interested in historic railways.
The Albert Gallery is housed in a heritage-listed former drill hall built in 1912 for the 22nd Light Horse Company. Visitors can view and buy works by local artists and craftspeople there. If you’d like to combine art and architectural history, you’ll find both in one place: the hall’s former function and its present-day display of local works.
Walking trails and choosing the focus of your trip
Sheffield lies in the foothills of Mount Roland and offers several walking trails. If you enjoy spending time outdoors, this connection to the landscape may help you decide to include Sheffield in your trip. Those more interested in murals, the museum and art can make the town’s cultural character the focus of their visit. This gives you a way to weigh up different interests without having to limit yourself to just one kind of stay.
A Merseylink bus service connects Sheffield with Railton, Latrobe and Devonport. This is relevant when planning your trip if you’d also like to include these places. Together with the cultural attractions and walking trails, it provides a concrete starting point for deciding which part of your trip you’d like to focus on here. Holiday accommodation in Sheffield is particularly worth considering if you want to explore the town itself.
More destinations to discover: Adventure Bay, Ouse, Moonah, Lulworth, Glengarry, Port Latta, Grove and Cranbrook.
For the main travel guide: Tasmania.
