Tasmania’s most popular architecture and design event, Open House, will be opening the buildings of the Southern Midlands for the first time, this weekend!
The program, which runs over the weekend of November 1 & 2, 2025, includes 45 tours, workshops, exhibitions and open buildings across the Southern Midlands.
The public is invited to experience architecture and the built environment in all its shapes and forms. Explore heritage gems in Oatlands, including the Oatlands Town Hall, the Cantwell Store or St Peter’s Anglican Church; modern architectural interpretations, such as Callington Mill Distillery (new work by Cumulus), Jordan House (new work by Preston Lane) and Hollow Tree House (new work by Core Collective); or experience in-depth learning through a Dark Sky Walking Tour, a Georgian Architecture Sketching session, or a Wallpaper Reproduction and Printing Demonstration.
While the event is free, and most buildings don’t require registration, bookings are required for some tours, events, and buildings. Check the details on the website. Bookings can be made at https://openhousehobart.org/southern-midlands/.
Open House Southern Midlands is being organised and run by the Tasmanian Chapter of the Australian Institute of Architects, the same team behind Open House Hobart – an annual, free architecture event, that opens some of Tasmania’s most unique and interesting buildings to the public. It is the local version of a global event, created by Victoria Thornton and first held in London in 1992 and now staged in more than 60 cities around the world. It gives visitors the chance to see how others live, work and play; look up, look inside, have a sticky-beak, and see the towns and cities from a different angle.
Tasmanian President of the Australian Institute of Architects, Daniel Lane, says, “architecture and design is all around us, and for everyone. The Open House program allows first-hand access to these spaces, to learn more about the buildings and the place. It’s wonderful that the program is coming to regional Tasmania this year.”
Jennifer Nichols, Open House Hobart co-producer, says that “more than just opening buildings, Open House Southern Midlands will tell the stories of those who lived, worked and played in these spaces and places, and how they continue to tell the stories of the current custodians.”
“Some of the buildings are iconic landmarks that we all know from our drives across the Midlands Highway, and our stopping points along the way, while others are more tucked away. We’re looking forward to revealing their secrets over the weekend,” says Nichols.
Open House Southern Midlands is taking place the weekend before Open House Hobart, which will take place on Saturday 8 & Sunday 9 November 2025.
This event received funding from the Tasmanian Government’s Built Heritage Grants, is supported by the Southern Midlands Council, and is made possible through the generous support of our sponsors and partners, including major partner, the Tasmanian Government, and design partner, Futago; partners, Lysaght, Austral Bricks and The Agency; and media parnter, ArchitectureAu.
2025 Open House Southern Midlands
Saturday 1 + Sunday 2 November 2025
2025 Open House Hobart
Saturday 8 + Sunday 9 November 2025
See https://openhousehobart.org/southern-midlands/ for the full list of buildings, events, exhibitions and workshops.
For media enquiries and photographs, contact:
Jennifer Nichols, Open House Hobart Co-Producer
Executive Director, Tasmanian Chapter
Australian Institute of Architects
+ 61 (3) 6214 1505 | M. +61 (0) 0409 216 526