Cleveland is a small community situated on the Midlands Highway, 51 kms from Launceston. It was originally proposed that Cleveland become the main centre for the Midlands, but limited water resources put pay to that idea. Instead, Cleveland became a popular coaching stop, and a depot for ticket-of-leave convicts. In colonial times, Clevelend boasted three coaching inns, namely St Andrews Inn, the Bald Faced Stag, and the Squeaker - the latter no longer standing today.
Some say Cleveland was named after a breed of horses imported and bred in the district. Others sources claim that Governor Macquarie name Cleveland after Wm. Harry Vane, Ist Duke of Cleveland (1766-1842), who was a well known English MP, foxhunter and patron of the turf. Horse races were held at Cleveland on a course behind the Bald Faced Stag, and early motor bike races were also held there.
