Welcome to the Bothwell History Website

Bothwell is a small rural town situated on the Highland Lakes Road in the Central Highlands Shire of Tasmania, Australia. In December 1820, Lieutenant Governor William Sorell and surveyor George William Evans identified the area as ideal for sheep farming. The first settlers arrived in August 1821, and the population steadily increased over the following decade. St Luke’s Church, the town’s first place of worship, was opened in November 1831. Bothwell was formally established as a rural municipality in 1862, with the first council elections held in January 1863.

Today, Bothwell is celebrated for its rich heritage, including Australia’s oldest golf course at the Ratho property and the Castle Hotel, licensed since 1829 and still operating. The town is also renowned for its well-preserved colonial architecture, such as St Luke’s Church (completed in 1829), Wentworth House, and the original public school buildings, many of which are heritage-listed.

This website is dedicated to the history of the Smith family and the broader story of Bothwell. It features a detailed timeline of the town’s development, 19th-century newspaper articles and advertisements, a directory of family surnames with links to local histories, transcribed parish register records, and in-depth property histories, including maps and information about former residents throughout the township.

My Smith Family
The reason behind this website.

Bothwell Timeline
List of events and occurrences.

19th Century News
Newspaper articles and advertising provide insight into life in Bothwell during the 1800s.

Bothwell Families
Surnames with links to families who lived in the district.

Baptisms, Burials, Census Records & more
Transcribed records from the parish registers.

Property History
Maps and property details reveal who lived where in the township.

Deepest thanks are extended to Peter Fielding, whose generous sharing of research and information over the past 30 years has been instrumental in the development of this work.