9 Of The Friendliest Towns In Tasmania
When people think of the Outback, some of the weirdest animals there, and the place where the British Empire sent most of their criminals after they lost the American Revolution, Australia comes to mind! But the small island of Tasmania, just at the bottom of Australia, also shares the same attractions—and a handful of unique ones—with the mainland. Where the Tasmanian Tigers once lived and where the Tasmanian Devils thrive, you will come across nine of the friendliest towns in Tasmania, promising all sorts of amusements, historical anecdotes, and outdoor wonderlands in this backyard place in Australia.
Queenstown
In the Queen River Valley, sheltered by Mount Owen on the West Coast Ridge, lies the regal town of Queenstown. So named after Queen Victoria at a time when the site was a mining town to dig up copper, silver, and gold at the nearby Mount Lyell, Queenstown has developed into a thriving getaway community for individuals seeking the arboreal beauties on the island of Tasmania. Travelers can admire the historic mining quarries at the Iron Blow Lookout, watch vibrant performances at The Paragon Theatre, and hop aboard a steam locomotive across the West Coast Wilderness Railway.
From the Queen River’s orange waters to boating about in Lake Burbury, you will encounter eerie moonscapes best explored at the Mount Dundas Regional Reserve, Lake Beatrice Conservation Area, Princess River Conservation Area, and Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park, the latter being part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage site and one of the best national parks in Tasmania. Most importantly, you will find all sorts of lodgings like the Empire Hotel, the Gold Rush Inn, or the Penghana Bed and Breakfast.
Devonport
An hour away from the big city of Launceston, Devonport may be Tasmania’s third largest city, yet with a population of around 26,000 and a small town atmosphere along the Mersey River, it certainly feels like a more laidback and simpler community than what the big cities exude. Visitors can marvel at the vast expanse of the Bass Strait and might even spot the distant cityscape of Melbourne in mainland Australia at the historic, red-and-white Mersey Bluff Lighthouse. The Bass Strait Maritime Centre not only promotes informational exhibits of Devonport’s maritime history, but also entertains visitors to a computerized sailing simulator.
Meanwhile, the Don River Railway gives both an unforgettable locomotive ride through whatever town you choose and more insights into the revolution of industry in Tasmania. Home Hill, now a National Trust-listed property, used to be the home of one of the previous Prime Ministers of Australia, Joseph Lyons, his wife Dame Enid Lyons, and their 12 children. But to really see how friendly Devonport can be, head over to Lillico Beach to see the world’s smallest penguins waddling about on the shoreline. If you are intrigued by Devonport’s seaside delights, then you ought to book a room at The Grand on Macfie, Discovery Parks - Devonport, or Waterfront Apartments.
Evandale
About 19 kilometers south of Launceston, the picture-perfect town of Evandale creates an amicable air of surprises and newness for those wanting to experience the Tasmanian countryside. Originally a military post in 1811, many of Evandale’s historic buildings have retained their original shape to this modern milieu, as best seen in the Georgian architecture of the Saint Andrews Church, also known as the Uniting Church with its classical belltower and Doric columns.
A few historical figures were also born in Evandale and lived for some time in this friendly small town, such as John Batman, who founded Melbourne in 1835, and John Glover, a renowned Australian artist whose seminal works are celebrated during the annual Glover Art Prize every month of March. At Rodgers Lane, you can find the statue of Lieutenant Colonel Harry Murray, who served in World War I, while at the Ben Lomond National Park, you can find many scenic spots to photograph the Tasmanian wilderness, like Jacob’s Ladder. Last but not least, attend the National Penny Farthing Championships held annually on the last Saturday in February for fun and games. No need to worry about accommodations because the Prince of Wales Hotel will have you covered day and night.
Port Arthur
Port Arthur is a splendid vacation village about 94 kilometers away from the city of Hobart. With its access to the peninsular destinations in the Tasman National Park and Tasman Island, there are no deficit of desirable landmarks worthy of your admiration. Among these magnificent locations are the dynamic and rugged terrain best seen from the Three Capes Track; the sandstone caverns of the Remarkable Cave; the lush and peaceful orchards at Port Arthur Lavender; and the vivacious slopes of Mount Brown. However, Port Arthur is renowned primarily because of its captivating history as a former colony of the British Empire alongside Australia.
As a former penal settlement of the British Empire in the 19th century, over 12,500 convicts built much of the foundations and architecture of modern-day Port Arthur. The Separate Prison building, one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Australia, contains the solitary confinement cells, which caused mental punishment to impertinent prisoners to replace the standard floggings. Convict Church and the ruins of an old penitentiary are some of the few structures remaining as constructed by convicts. The Government Gardens, on the other hand, was built by Commandant William Champ—one of the wardens of Port Arthur—for the women and visitors in the settlement to keep the atmosphere lively. Since you will find no rogues and ruffians in Port Arthur, you can feel safe and welcome in some of Port Arthur’s friendly establishments, such as the Port Arthur Villas, Stewarts Bay Lodge, or The Fox and Hounds Historic Hotel.
Lunawanna
Lunawanna promises all the splendors and joys of Bruny Island from a small town so named after the Tasmanian Aboriginal name of said isthmus, Lunawanna-alonnah. Soak in the mesmerizing shorelines along Lunawanna at the Bruny Island Coastal Retreats. Traipse through the botanical gardens of the Inala Jurassic Garden, or delve into the Tasmanian wilderness of the Mount Mangana Forest Reserve and South Bruny National Park.
A bit further south are the Mount Bruny and Midway Forest Reserves, where one can find the unique rock formations and caves at the southernmost point of Bruny Island. Travelers can explore further around Bruny Island vis-à-vis the Cape Bruny Lighthouse Tours, or you can enjoy the calmer waters of the Cloudy Bay Lagoon. There is no end to the plethora of attractions and entertainment you can seek out in Lunwanna, so consider booking a room in one of the village’s resplendent establishments like the Little Belmont, Bruny Island Pier House, or the Hundred Acre Hideaway.
Richmond
Approximately 20 minutes from Hobart, the small town of Richmond is rich with over 50 historic buildings and other remnants of the past. Situated in Tasmania’s wine region along the Coal River and Derwent River, Richmond was where Tasmania’s first flour mill was constructed in the year 1815, and in the year 1823, Australia’s oldest bridge that is still in use was finished in order to connect Richmond with Hobart and other communities in the Tasmanian Peninsula.
Richmond also has the oldest intact jailhouse or goal in Australia from 1825 that incarcerated famous convicts like “Ikey Solomon”, whom most claimed was the inspiration for the sleazy character of Fagin in Charles Dickens’ novel Oliver Twist. Aside from history, Richmond entertains newcomers with present delights, such as the forests of Mount Morrison Forest Reserve and the animals at Zoodoo Zoo. Those of you intrigued by Richmond’s wealthy wonders should definitely book a room at the Richmond Arms Hotel, The Mill House Cottage, or Hatcher’s Manor.
Cygnet
Deep in the Huon Valley and an hour and a half away from Lunawanna, the thriving village of Cygnet beckons newcomers with its signature attractions and allures. Whether you are taking boat rides through Kangaroo Bay, the D'Entrecasteaux Channel, or down the Huon River, you will be pleased by the quaint and colorful ambiance Cygnet gives to visitors and residents alike. Go and gawk at the vast swathes of farmlands at the Hartzview Vineyard and appreciate the role of a historic farmer and orchard worker at the Heritage Pickers Hut Village.
While going around Cygnet, you will find “shacks” or secondary homes for many aspiring artists, musicians, and creative personalities in Tasmania and beyond who find Cygnet’s signature calmness a breath of air. Many of these individuals flock to Cygnet for the Cygnet Folk Festival, occurring on the last weekend of January. You will find nothing amiss and awry in Cygnet, especially when you are spending your restful evenings at either the Cygnet Old Bank Bed and Breakfast or Cygnet Hotel & Guesthouse.
Strahan
Most people say that you should not stray too far from familiar places. But in the town of Strahan, you can stray all you can and encounter all kinds of new attractions and destinations just 41 minutes west of Queenstown. With access to the Macquarie Harbour Historic Site and West Coast Range Regional Reserve, you can meander and roam the seaside and inland biomes Tasmania is renowned for. If you find sand appealing, you will certainly love the Henty Dunes, which are close to the Henty Forest Reserve along the Henty River.
Hop aboard cruise ships like The Spirit of the Wild for leisurely sojourns through the Gordon River and Macquarie Bay. Get a good view of the infinitely-stretched Great Australian Bight from the Ocean Beach Lookout, or take photographs of a vintage steam train at the Regatta Point Station, part of the West Coast Wilderness Railway. Finally, when you get exhausted from all the traveling, recharge and refresh yourself at the Risby Cove Boutique Hotel and Restaurant, Motel Strahan, or Harrison House.
Penguin
There is nothing more friendly than an animal companion in life. And what better animal is there for the Tasmanian town of Penguin than penguins? Only 20 minutes west of Devonport, Penguin is a refreshing vacation town on Tasmania’s north coast for both humans and penguins alike—the latter, being Fairy Penguins, dwell in nearby rookeries in coastlines between the communities of Ulverstone and Wynyard and are most abundant in Penguin between the months of September to March. There is even a 10-foot-tall penguin statue in Penguin’s town square for you to take groupies or selfies of. Further inland, you can find flightful or even other kinds of flightless birds in several parks and preserves, such as the Mount Montgomery State Reserve and Dial Range Forest Reserve. Naturally, once the night closes in, you can feel safe and sound as a penguin in its rookery at the Penguin Seaside Homestay, The Madsen Boutique Hotel, or Seaside Farm.
Besides the dense rainforests where some of the oldest trees in the world continue to thrive, the friendliest towns in Tasmania will give newcomers an amicable greeting and vacation as well as guidance when exploring uncharted wildernesses in Tasmania’s habitats. You might encounter the largest carnivorous marsupial, the Tasmanian Devil, but you will also come across other friendly animals like penguins in Penguin and indulge yourself in surprising historical factoids in landmarks seen in Port Arthur and Devonport. For an island separated from Australia because of the Bass Strait, Tasmania is a new world on its own for travelers old and young to uncover memorable moments to savor.
