10 Best Places To Call Home In Tasmania In 2026
Finding the right place to call home in Tasmania means choosing from river towns, coastal hubs, farming districts, and heritage villages. Across the island, towns deliver wildly different versions of home, from Deloraine’s Meander River calm and famous Tasmanian Craft Fair to Devonport’s coastal energy, penguin viewing, and maritime history. Huonville pairs country living with Huon Valley food culture, while Coles Bay opens the door to Freycinet National Park and Wineglass Bay. Add Burnie’s creative spirit at the Maker’s Workshop and Evandale’s Georgian streets and penny-farthing tradition, and Tasmania offers ten standout places to put down roots in 2026.
Deloraine
On the Meander River in northern Tasmania, the town of Deloraine offers a quaint, peaceful, and serene atmosphere. With a median house price of $555,000 AUD, it is a great option for those on a tighter budget. In town, you can find the Great Western Tiers Sculpture Trail, a delightful path that features a variety of historic, whimsical, and humorous sculptures. However, Deloraine's scenic charm extends beyond the town itself, as it is surrounded by the Great Western Tiers Mountain Range, which is part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Site.
One of the highlights of Deloraine is the Tasmanian Craft Fair, the largest of its kind in Australia. This annual event takes place over four days starting on the last Friday of October, attracting attendees from all over. During the fair, the small town, with a population of about 3,000, sees its numbers swell tenfold, and there is even a free shuttle bus service to accommodate the influx of visitors.
Devonport
Just a half hour from Deloraine, you'll find the lively coastal town of Devonport. With over 25,000 residents, this growing city is brimming with culture and offers a delightful mix of lifestyles, all while boasting views of the river, ocean, and mountains. Outdoor enthusiasts will love the abundance of recreational activities and reserves in the area, like Lillico Beach, a picturesque coastal reserve and penguin colony. There’s even a viewing platform where you can catch the adorable Fairy Penguins waddling back to their burrows after a day of fishing in the ocean. For those looking for a bit of adventure, Cradle Mountain is a must. It's one of Australia's most popular multi-day alpine treks and provides a fun fitness challenge.
In town, you can immerse yourself in local history at the Bass Strait Maritime Museum, set in a 1920s harbormaster's cottage. The museum is filled with fascinating exhibits, ship models, and stories, as well as a lovely on-site gift shop and café. With a median house price of $550,000 AUD, Devonport is an ideal spot for those who love an active lifestyle, all at an affordable price in a welcoming community.
Huonville
Huonville is a farming town through and through that offers a peaceful escape amidst its lush, green landscape. With a median house price of approximately $676,500 AUD, it could be an attractive option for those considering a move, and as the largest commercial hub in the Huon Valley, Huonville provides a variety of community services and shops for visitors and residents alike.
This makes it an ideal location for events such as The Taste of the Huon, a festival held every March during the long weekend that celebrates local food, wines, and crafts. For those interested in sightseeing, the Huon River can be explored via speedboat or paddleboat, or you can simply relax on the banks and enjoy a picnic. If you venture further south, you’ll reach the Tahune Airwalk, a scenic treetop walkway that extends over the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. The site also features a café that serves local food, cider, and wine, along with accommodations if you want to make a trip of it.
Coles Bay
Coles Bay serves as a gateway to Freycinet National Park, but the local surroundings offer just as much beauty as the park itself, with opportunities for swimming, fishing, and leisurely beach walks. Here, you'll find a handful of shops and cozy cafes, including the Ice Creamery & Co., where you can enjoy cold treats and fresh fish and chips.
Of course, Freycinet National Park is the main attraction. It is home to the world-renowned Wineglass Bay, and if you’re looking for a quieter escape, Honeymoon Bay is a beautiful alternative that's a bit less traveled. For another fun adventure, check out Oyster Bay Tours, where you can wade into the water and harvest oysters right from the ocean. While living here can be a bit pricey, with a median home price of $833,300 AUD, it's still more affordable than the capital and comes with a quality of life that can't be beat.
New Norfolk
New Norfolk is a welcoming township and one of the most affordable places on this list, thanks to a median house price of $490,000 AUD. You can explore its fascinating history by visiting the many antique shops scattered throughout the area. A standout spot is Willow Court, which once served as a military hospital for convicts and an asylum. Today, the site hosts guided tours and is home to an antiques shop and the beautiful Agrarian Kitchen, a restaurant, teaching facility, garden, and event space.
For a taste of even more local history, check out the Bush Inn, rumored to be haunted and recognized as one of Australia’s oldest pubs. With its warm hospitality and dishes made from local ingredients, it's perfect for a night out or a special event. If you’re up for a short drive north, treat yourself to the Salmon Ponds, the oldest rainbow and brown trout farm in Australia. The lovely greenery makes it a fantastic spot for a picnic and soaking up the beautiful scenery.
Burnie
At the mouth of the Emu River, Burnie's median house price of $580,000 AUD makes it an accessible and affordable option for many. One of the town's biggest draws is the Maker's Workshop, a museum, gallery, workshop, and arts center dedicating itself entirely to papermaking, glassblowing, ceramics, and other crafts. The Little Penguin Observation Center serves as another outpost to watch Little Penguins, also known as Fairy Penguins, from a nearby boardwalk. Visiting from September through March is the prime time for observing the penguins. Alternatively, the Emu Valley Rhododendron Garden has over 12 hectares of beautiful flowers and peaceful trails, perfect for quiet walks among the blooms.
Strahan
On the west coast of Tasmania, the small port town of Strahan is a great starting point to explore the surrounding area, and also to live. The median house price is a very reasonable $360,000 AUD, and when the town is surrounded by national parks and wildlife refuges, Strahan is positioned as the perfect destination for adventurers and those seeking a relaxing life. One of the first places to check out is the West Coast Wilderness Railway, a train system that takes you through the most scenic routes between Strahan and Queenstown. From town, you also have Gordon River Cruises that offer tours through Sarah Island and the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. Alternatively, the Strahan Golf Club offers a quick nine holes and has a restaurant and bar.
Evandale
The town of Evandale is an excellent option for those who appreciate history, as it's considered a National Trust-classified Georgian village. As soon as you arrive, this becomes readily apparent in the well-preserved heritage buildings and town streets. One particular place that captures it most is the Clarendon Arms Hotel, a popular gathering spot for tourists and locals alike, with live music and food, in addition to lodging. Homes in Evandale have a median house price of about $647,500 AUD, so owning a heritage home is well within reach.
If you're active and want to be part of history yourself, your best shot is the National Penny Farthing Championship, a bike race where you race using awkwardly large front-wheel-powered bikes to compete for immortality (i.e., your name engraved on a trophy). It's certainly a high honor, as this championship is considered the largest gathering of antique bike racing in the world. Beyond the tournament, Evandale's Sunday markets are a big draw for local goods, crafts, and community spirit.
Perth
Perth is not just a popular stop for travelers; it has plenty to offer if you're considering making it your home. And with an average home price of around $640,000 AUD, it’s also quite affordable. In addition to reasonable housing, Perth boasts over 40 well-preserved heritage buildings for residents to explore. One standout is the Leather Bottlecap Inn, the town’s second-oldest building, named after a favorite pub of Charles Dickens. Another gem is the Baptist Tabernacle, built in 1889, featuring impressive doors, a domed roof, and a unique octagonal shape made from corrugated iron. And if you have a sweet tooth, be sure to try floral-scented Tasmanian leatherwood honey from the Tasmanian Honey Company, which gets its honey from beehives nestled in remote rainforest areas.
Bothwell
Bothwell is another historically rich town that's even more affordable than Perth, with a median house price of $547,500 AUD. This small country gem offers stunning views of the Clyde River Valley and boasts a fascinating history dating back to the 1820s when Scottish farmers first settled the area. One of the town's landmarks is St. Luke's Uniting Church, a beautiful example of its heritage and one of the oldest buildings in the country. For sports enthusiasts, the Australasian Golf Museum highlights Bothwell’s significant role in sporting history and also functions as a visitor center. Additionally, the town is home to Ratho Farm Golf Links, which is known as Australia's oldest golf course. Set on a working sheep farm just outside of town, the course features wide fairways and rolling hills, all while sheep help keep the greens in shape!
Finding the perfect place to settle can be tricky, but Tasmania offers great options that won’t break the bank. There is so much beauty in Devonport and the surrounding area, and places like Burnie offer a welcoming community and sense of belonging. And when all of that is combined with a laidback atmosphere, these towns each represent a great new beginning for the next chapter of your life. So pick a spot, explore it to the fullest, and see what adventures await in Australia's island state.
