Welcome to Briar Lane
The perfect place for a secluded, relaxing getaway in historic Evandale, Tasmania. Briar Lane is home to heritage buildings, treasured antiques and manicured gardens, complete with an artists’ studio gallery. Briar Lane offers all the comforts of home and makes for an ideal base to explore Northern Tasmania.
Our history
Briar Lane began life as a large grant of land, from Governor Collins to a cattle and sheep farmer named George Collins, and in 1826 Briar Lane Cottage was built. To this day, the area is still cited on maps as "Collins' Hill".
Since that time, the original homestead has housed the local doctor's residence, as well as a private school. A public house was also located on the property in Collins' time, and during the 1950s, a poultry farm was established on the outer reaches of the property.
Restoration of Briar Lane
In 1969, Briar Lane Cottage was purchased by Greg and Gill Waddle. The property required substantial repairs and updates to ensure it was once again liveable. A second house was built on the property by Greg’s parents, Peter and Beatrice Waddle. Many coups remained on the property from its time as a poultry farm. These were demolished barre one, which was converted into an art studio and gallery from which Greg, a local art teacher, conducted painting classes and workshops until his death in 2001.
In the 1990s, Peter and Beatrice’s house was converted into two units, and Greg and Gill's Place, self-contained accommodation began operating. Gill operated the business until September 2018 when the property was purchased by her son and daughter-in-law, Peter and Susan Waddle, and the original property name of Briar Lane was reinstated.
Briar Lane today
Peter and Sue have continued extensive restoration work to the buildings, all the while establishing beautiful gardens within the 5 acre grounds. Both accomplished artists, Peter and Sue enjoy drawing on inspiration from the property in the creation of their art, often on display in the Briar Lane Gallery.
Peter and Sue love nothing more than welcoming tourists to Northern Tasmania into their beautiful estate and providing them with a relaxing, comfortable and memorable stay.
