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Convict built & listed
by the National Trust as 'the finest & most substantial hotel building of the late colonial period in Australia'. Foxhunters Return was designed by Irish master stone mason Hugh Kean.
Rooms
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About Foxhunters Return
Foxhunters Return, originally established as a coaching inn and located on the busy coaching route
between Hobart and Launceston, flourished during the period from 1833 to the 1880's.
The introduction of the railway link through Campbell Town saw a decline in trade with the
closure of the inn in the 1890's.
It was used as a military outpost by the Campbell Town detachment Auxiliary force in the
late 1890's and in 1927 the Mercer family purchased Foxhunters Return for use as a private
house. Their daughter Kathleen was a champion horse rider and an array of silver cups
and trophies bearing testament to Kathleen's success are displayed at Foxhunters Return
today.
These include 'Champion Lady Hunter' Hobart Royal Show 1924, '1st Prize Ladies Race'
Longford Show 1916, 'Winner Ladies Hunt Race' Melton Mowbray Hunt Races 1928.
A 'Government Champion Certificate' awarded to Miss Kathleen Mercer at the Launceston
Show 1922 for Champion Thoroughbred Mare 'Charm' is also displayed. Kathleen had much
success riding a horse owned by Mrs J. Archer of 'Brambletye' South Esk, Conara.
Originally from King Island, brought over as a skinny, gangly horse and taken off the
boat after dark, because he looked so bad, this champion jumper was named 'After Dark'.
Trophies Kathleen won with 'After Dark' include 'Best Lady Rider' Devonport A. & P.
Society 1927 and 'Ladies Trophy' Point-to-Point Steeple 1929.
Kathleen Mercer had decided to ride in an event at the 1934 Melbourne Show, which was
to be attended by the Duke of Gloucester. Mrs Malcolm Gibson of Meadowbank, Campbell
Town, Tasmania owned Kathleen's mount for the show, 'Harmony'. Kathleen boarded the
aircraft 'Miss Hobart' on 19 October 1934. Kathleen and all on board disappeared without
trace over Bass Strait on the morning of 19 October 1934.
'After Dark' was then retired to 'Brambletye' Conara. A photo of this magnificent horse
was presented to Keith and Marilyn Gleeson owners of Foxhunters Return in May 1994 by
Molly Dixon (nee Mercer). Molly, then 86, a former owner of Foxhunters Return, was
residing at Kings Meadows
'After Dark' was stabled at Foxhunters Return during their time together in the original
1833 stables constructed for coach horses. The nameplate for 'After Dark' still remains
in stall number 2 today.
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