Legana facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Legana Tasmania
View of Legana from Bridgenorth Road
Legana Location in Tasmania
Population	4,029 (2016 census)
Postcode(s)	7277
Time zone	AEST (UTC+10)
• Summer (DST)	AEDT (UTC+11)
Location	12 km (7 mi) from Launceston 32 km (20 mi) SE of Beaconsfield
LGA(s)	West Tamar
Region	Launceston
State electorate(s)	Bass
Federal Division(s)	Bass
Localities around Legana: Grindelwald Grindelwald, Rosevears Tamar River Bridgenorth Legana Tamar River Riverside Riverside Tamar River

Legana is a town in Tasmania, Australia. It is a mix of country and residential areas. Legana is part of the West Tamar Council area. This region is near Launceston, which is Tasmania's second-largest city.

Legana is about 12 kilometres north of Launceston. It is also close to other towns like Riverside, Bridgenorth, Grindelwald, and Rosevears.

The name "Legana" comes from the Palawa language. It means "fresh water." This is because Legana is where the Tamar River changes from salty to fresh water. There is even an old house called "Freshwater" nearby. Early settlers used to trade with local Aboriginal people at a jetty near this house. Today, "Freshwater" is a Bed and Breakfast.

Legana is also known for a special kind of apple. This apple variety is called "Legana" too! It was created in Legana. Legana apples are bright red and taste sweet and nutty. They have crisp, juicy flesh.

History of Legana

After Europeans settled in Tasmania, Legana started as a farming town. People had dairy farms, apple orchards, and raised cattle. Most homes were first built near the Tamar River. Later, more houses were built closer to the West Tamar Highway. Legana was officially named a "locality" in 1963.

Legana's Geography

The Tamar River is very important to Legana. Its waters form the boundaries on the north-eastern, eastern, and south-eastern sides of the town.

Roads in Legana

The main road in Legana is the West Tamar Highway (Route A7). It runs through the town from south-east to north-west. Other important roads include Bridgenorth Road (Route C732) and Rosevears Drive (Route C733). These roads help people travel around Legana and to nearby areas.

Community Life in Legana

Like many smaller towns, sports clubs are a big part of life in Legana. The town has a community area with facilities for different activities.

Sports and Activities

• The Legana Cricket Club has two teams that play in local competitions.
• There is a Legana Tennis Club for tennis players.
• A children's playground is available for younger kids.
• The local council is planning to build a bicycle dirt jump park for young people.
• The Legana Youth Group, run by the West Tamar Council, offers after-school activities and games at the memorial hall.

Shopping and Services

Legana has a shopping center with many stores. It includes a Woolworths supermarket. You can also find a KFC, a hairdresser, a chemist, and a post office. Other shops include Banjos Bakery, The Reject Shop, and The Salvation Army Store. There is also an EG Ampol petrol station.

Legana Fire Brigade

The Legana Fire Brigade is made up of volunteers. They help keep the community safe from fires. They also respond to car accidents and fire alarms. The brigade was started after the big 1967 Tasmanian fires. Over the years, as Legana grew, the Fire Brigade also grew. They got better equipment and a new fire station in 1985. A larger, more central station was planned in 1996 to serve the growing area.

Churches and Culture

Legana has a few churches, including the Legana Christian Church and the Free Reformed Church.

The Velo wines vineyard on the West Tamar Highway is also important. It was first planted in 1966. This vineyard played a big part in developing the wine industry in Tasmania.

New Primary School

The Tasmanian Government is building a new primary school in Legana. It will have modern learning spaces for 350 students. The West Tamar Council is working with the government to add a new community sports area around the school. This will improve facilities for both students and the community.

Bus Services in Legana

Manions' Coaches runs all the bus services in Legana. This includes buses for passengers and school children. The "Legana Loop" route travels to and from Launceston. School buses go to Riverside Primary and Riverside High Schools. They also go to many private schools in Launceston.

Other bus services pass through Legana or stop at certain points. These services connect Legana to other towns like Rowella, Exeter, Beaconsfield, and Beauty Point. You can pay for these bus services with cash, coins, or a Manions' smartcard.