Photographs courtesy of Robyn Lewis 2022.

Known as: Woodvine Cottage, Woodvine Farm and now Woodvine Nature Reserve.

Located at: Forcett, SE Tasmania. Take the road to Port Arthur, through Sorell and turn left onto Delmore road, then right onto White Hill Road. Drive to the end, past the Reserve sign and park on the left.

History

This 277 hectare farm was donated to the NP Service in 1998 by Herbert “Ernie” Shaw, with the aim of protecting the flora and fauna of the area. The Woodlands Nature Reserve was proclaimed in 2001 and he passed on in 2005.

The oldest building on the site was built by Ernie’s great-great grandfather in 1861. Daniel Long was his name and he married Elzabeth Tustin that year. They went on to have 14 children, 13 of whom made adult-hood.

Ernie inherited ithe property from his Great Uncle, Edgar Long in 1977. And so, there are many relatives surviving in the area, with a keen interest in the property and the many artefacts on it. Most have been moved to a museum for safe keeping but multiple buildings remain, including the original house, a new one and the barn (with a new shingle roof).

The Plan of Management (POM) can be found here.