ROSEVEARS HOTEL - 215 ROSEVEARS DRIVE

ROSEVEARS HOTEL

Perhaps a little unusually, this is one of the few hotels in the Launceston region that was built at the request of the government.

The land around Rosevears, a small town on the West Tamar, some 20km from Launceston, was originally known as Cimitiere Point, but as it became increasingly settled and used for pursuits such as wheat growing, sawmilling and shipbuilding, and the area on the Western side of the river developed,  facilities were needed for both locals and travellers.

William Henry Rosevears was offered a grant of 640 acres, contingent on him providing an inn on the land. The first license was granted in the 1830s.  Rosevear's first license was for "Halfway House Hotel, Point Cimitiers, but it is probable that this is the place better known as the "Rose Inn," which, in time. became the Rosevears Hotel.   Parts of the current building were constructed as early as 1854, from bricks made on the property.'

William Rosevears had a very complicated personal life - outlined  in Lois Nyman's The West Tamar People - a book I can really recommend for people who are interested in Tamar Valley history (on both sides of the river).

The hotel has recently undergone a complete transformation (see their website) but still retains a great deal of its original charm.  The location is certainly still stunning. with views up and down the river, and across to the Windermere Church (see a previous post).