8 Tasmania Small Towns With Unmatched Friendliness
When most people picture the Australian Outback, they imagine dusty red earth, kangaroos bounding across the plains, and echoes of colonial history. However, just off the southern coast of Australia lies the isolated and underrated island of Tasmania, an island state with its unique charm and remarkable attractions. Here, where the legendary Tasmanian tigers once roamed and the elusive Tasmanian devils still thrive, you will discover several small Tasmanian towns with unmatched friendliness that will entice you to see more of their stylized amenities.
These communities offer more than scenic landscapes: they invite you to explore rugged wilderness, vibrant local culture, and echoes of a fascinating past. Whether you are chasing penguins along the coast, marveling at colonial architecture, or wandering through lush national parks, the many small towns in Tasmania are worth visiting this year. They have an unmatched air of friendliness that will keep you wanting more.
Queenstown
Nestled within the Queen River Valley and with the rugged slopes of Mount Owen framing the area, Queenstown is a bucolic and idyllic destination with an intriguing mining legacy and surreal natural beauty. Once a bustling epicenter of trade and industry during Tasmania’s mining boom, the town was named in honor of Queen Victoria and built its foundations on copper, gold, and silver from nearby Mount Lyell. Today, Queenstown enchants visitors with its stark, otherworldly terrain, best admired from Iron Blow Lookout in nearby Gormanston.
Visitors can check out The Paragon Theatre for film screenings and local performances. On the other hand, you can hop aboard the West Coast Wilderness Railway for a nostalgic, steam-powered journey through breathtaking wilderness framing Queenstown. The serene Lake Burbury invites more outdoor adventurers with its watery delights. Meanwhile, nearby conservation areas like Mount Dundas and Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park, the latter part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, offer prime hiking and photography opportunities for everyone. At the end of the day, you can feel nice and comfortable in amicable lodgings like the Empire Hotel or Penghana Bed and Breakfast.
Devonport
Although technically a city, Devonport’s population of 26,000 or fewer makes this small-town-like destination an urban paradise with many natural wonders along the Mersey River. Located just an hour's drive from Launceston, this coastal retreat is a significant gateway in Tasmania, especially for travelers arriving by ferry from mainland Australia. The striking Mersey Bluff Lighthouse is a guiding light for all ships with a location ideal for views of the Bass Strait; on clear days, you might even glimpse the outline of Melbourne across the water.
You can also dive into local maritime history at the Bass Strait Maritime Centre, which has fascinating exhibits and a digital sailing simulator. Families will love the Don River Railway, where vintage trains provide an old-school journey through Devonport’s industrial past. For a dose of heritage, travelers can tour Home Hill, once home to Prime Minister Joseph Lyons and his trailblazing wife Enid. However, the cutest attractions in Devonport might be the tiny fairy penguins, also known as little penguins, that nest along Lillico Beach, especially between September and March. To soak in the friendliness overnight, consider staying at The Grand on Macfie or Discovery Parks - Devonport.
Evandale
Evandale epitomizes an enchanting small town with a deep heritage in northern Tasmania. Just an approximately 20-minute drive south of Launceston, this Georgian-era village feels like a step back in time, with well-preserved 19th-century architecture lining peaceful streets. Originally established as a military outpost in 1811, many stately buildings still stand, including the iconic St. Andrew’s Uniting Church, with its striking bell tower and classical Doric columns. Art and history lovers will appreciate that Evandale was home to Melbourne’s founder, John Batman, and landscape painter John Glover, whose legacy is celebrated each March with the prestigious Glover Art Prize. Furthermore, the statue of decorated World War I hero Harry Murray continues to preserve and present the impressive heritage of Evandale.
For those more interested in the surrounding arboreal landscape, you can find natural scenery in Ben Lomond National Park, where trails like Jacob’s Ladder lead to alpine views. For something delightfully quirky, you should not miss the National Penny Farthing Championships held each February. You should try booking a room at the Prince of Wales Hotel to find a place to stay.
Port Arthur
Steeped in history, Port Arthur is one of Tasmania’s most compelling destinations, with many dynamic landscapes surrounding it. Located about a 90-minute drive southeast of Hobart on the Tasman Peninsula, this town is best known for its hauntingly beautiful former penal settlement of the British Empire, with over 12,500 convicts having built and established many of the UNESCO World Heritage buildings worth seeing in this town. These prisoners once resided in the eerie Separate Prison, which you can now visit, and they also constructed the Gothic and alluring Convict Church.
Although Port Arthur has had a somber past, it is now an inviting town partly due to its surroundings: the windswept cliffs along the Three Capes Track and the sea-carved depths of Remarkable Cave among them. For a gentler expedition to the outdoors, you can visit the fragrant fields of Port Arthur Lavender or the trails leading up Mount Brown. Originally intended to brighten the lives of residents, the manicured Government Gardens continue to offer a peaceful place for self-reflection. As the dusk falls on Port Arthur, you can unwind and replenish for a new day of adventure in amicable abodes like Stewarts Bay Lodge or The Fox and Hounds Historic Hotel.
Lunawanna
On the southwest coast of Bruny Island, Lunawanna is a tranquil into the area's Aboriginal heritage and Tasmanian natural wonders. Its name comes from “Lunawanna-alonnah,” the original Indigenous name for the island, and the town still cultivates and preserves a deep connection to the land and sea. In this peaceful hamlet, visitors can explore various attractions, including the rainforest trails of Mount Mangana Forest Reserve and the pristine beaches of South Bruny National Park.
At the Inala Jurassic Garden, rare plant species thrive in a botanical sanctuary that fascinates amateur scientists and casual explorers. Those seeking quietude will find friendly serenity in the rugged seclusion of the Mount Bruny and Midway Forest Reserves. Finally, those who intend to stay a long while in Lunawanna can spend their nights at the Little Belmont, Bruny Island Pier House, or Hundred Acre Hideaway.
Richmond
Travelers will be smitten by the postcard-perfect town of Richmond, a friendly dwelling place along the Coal River in Tasmania’s wine-producing heartland. Richmond is celebrated for its preserved colonial architecture and significant historic landmarks, notably Australia’s oldest road bridge, built in 1823. Additionally, you can visit the nation’s oldest intact jail, the Richmond Gaol, which once held notorious figures like Ikey Solomon, who was a possible inspiration for Charles Dickens’ Fagin in Oliver Twist.
The town’s history goes even deeper: it was the site of Tasmania’s first flour mill, constructed in 1815. However, Richmond is all about the modern amenities you can enjoy, especially with the exotic animals at the Hobart Zoo and Aquarium. You can entertain yourself with long walks and strolls through the nearby Mount Morrison Forest Reserve for recreation. Finally, you can find many friendly lodgings like The Mill House Cottage, Richmond Arms Hotel, or Hatcher’s Manor for comfort and rest.
Strahan
Strahan is a welcoming gateway to many wild adventures worth experiencing on Tasmania's remote west coast. Just under an hour's drive from Queenstown, this small harbor town is nestled along the expansive Macquarie Harbor and once served as a vital port during the mining boom. Travelers can now cruise the serene Gordon River aboard The Spirit of the Wild, where glassy waters reflect ancient rainforest and remote shorelines.
You can discover the towering Henty Dunes, which are perfect regions for sandboarding. You can also glimpse the region’s pioneering past by hopping aboard the historic West Coast Wilderness Railway, which departs from the charming Regatta Point Station. At the end of the day, rest and relax in one of Strahan’s entertaining domiciles, such as the Harrison House, Motel Strahan, or the waterfront Risby Cove Boutique Hotel.
Penguin
Charming, quirky, and full of coastal character, the town of Penguin will have you smiling in glee. Just a 25-minute drive from Devonport, this seaside community on Tasmania’s north coast is a breathtaking destination where fairy penguins nest along nearby beaches from September through March. Many visitors throng to the burrows of these fairy penguins in Penguin to take photographs of these adorable creatures, but you can also opt to take selfies or group photos in front of the 10-foot-tall penguin statue downtown.
Beyond the birds, Penguin also boasts scenic hiking in the nearby Dial Range and Mount Montgomery reserves. Suppose you ever wish to vacation here, you can seek accommodations in one of Penguin’s pleasurable abodes, like The Madsen Boutique Hotel or Penguin Seaside Homestay.
The many small towns in Tasmania to visit this year are worth your time and effort due to their unmatched friendliness and many natural and cultural attractions. With unique stories, landscapes, and charms, these small towns in Tasmania offer more than typical tourist trails and photogenic landmarks. Whether you are marveling at historic ruins in Port Arthur, watching penguins on the north coast, or stepping into the colonial past of Richmond, you will feel right at home in these many small towns in Tasmania due to their unmatched friendliness and openness towards everyone. Tasmania may be separated from mainland Australia by the Bass Strait, but it is a world of wonder worth seeing in 2025.
