6 Most Hospitable Towns In Tasmania
Located 150 miles south of the Australian continent is the island of Tasmania. It is the 26th-largest island in the world, with approximately 1,000 smaller islands surrounding it. It has been called the Apple Isle for its rich apple harvests and the Holiday Isle for its many fun destinations. In fact, by going to Tasmania, you can find all manner of hospitable towns to spend a weekend.
Locals will gladly show you around these towns' attractions, ranging from an isolated penal colony, an extinct volcano hike, a raspberry farm, rainforest trails, and even a fun high-wheel bicycle race. Here are the six most hospitable towns in Tasmania to see.
Evandale
This settlement dates back to 1811, when David Gibson received a land grant at Pleasant Banks. He would build a small two-story house in 1817 that remained standing until 1915, when it burned down. Later on, the town was the site of a lot of violence as both bushrangers and Aboriginals would clash with travellers and farmers alike. Today, Evandale is a relatively safe place with a rich historical and artistic appeal. This underrated Tasmanian town was the home of landscape painter John Glover. Artists compete annually in March for the Glover Prize, which recognizes their own landscape paintings.
The entries are proudly displayed at Falls Park Pavilion. Another fun event is the National Penny Farthing Championship in February, where riders compete on antique high-wheel bicycles while dressed in period-appropriate clothing. In addition to these activities, one can discover many historic buildings ranging from the 1836 Clarendon Stores to the 1872 St. Andrew's Anglican Church. The town also hosts a lovely Sunday market featuring local goods and food for sale.
Stanley
This town sits on the Northwestern coast of Tasmania. It is named after Lord Stanley, a Secretary of State for War and the Colonies and a British Prime Minister. Visitors come to Stanley to see its most prominent geological landmark: The Nut. This is an extinct volcano that offers a marvelous view of the town below.
You can take a chairlift up the Nut or climb if you're feeling like a vigorous adventure. Another way to see The Nut is to go for a walk along the Fisherman's Wharf, a coastline trail that offers plenty of fishing spots. Another great hike is the Tatlows Beach Loop Walk, a 90-minute stroll that moves along the Tatlows Beach Conservation Reserve to the Stanley Golf Course. If you'd rather learn about the area's history, take a walk through the historic downtown area to the Discovery Museum.
Adventure Bay
This town was named by Captain Tobias Furneaux after he had become separated from Captain James Cook's voyage through the Pacific. He named it after his ship, the HMS Adventure. Today, this tiny town serves as an excellent base for an adventure into the island on which it sits: Bruny Island. This island actually consists of two islands that are connected by a narrow isthmus.
Within Adventure Bay itself, you can spend a fine day on the beach while also learning about Pacific explorers. The main beach is Adventure Bay Beach, which is located near the Bligh Museum of Pacific Exploration. This showcases maps, paintings, and documents from the many explorers who passed through this region. You can try out fresh raspberries from the Bruny Island Raspberry Farm or sample local flavors at the Mari Bruny restaurant.
Beauty Point
This northeastern Tasmanian town is home to around 1,200 people. Beauty Point is similar to many Gold Rush towns in America, as it was established as a deep-water port for the gold mines at Beaconsfield. When the gold dried up, Australia would export apples. Today, Beauty Point is a lovely community that welcomes guests with unique animal habitats and cafes. Beauty Point is the only place in the world where you can visit a seahorse aquarium at Seahorse World.
This center both protects and promotes the growth of several species of seahorses and seadragons. Another fun animal habitat is the Platypus House, a place where you can see these egg-laying mammals, along with their cousins, the echidnas, up close. After seeing these animals, you can grab a bite to eat from The River Cafe. If you travel a bit outside of town, you can see the old gold mines at Beaconsfield Mine & Heritage Centre.
Strahan
Strahan is a western port village that only the bravest would dare come to, due to the treacherous conditions on the west coast of Tasmania. Coming into Strahan will take you by Hells Gate, where the Macquarie Harbour meets the Southern Ocean. There are numerous fun experiences to be had in this town, from a rainforest train ride to the longest-running play in Australia, to a beautiful waterfall stroll. The West Coast Wilderness Railway takes you on a journey through much of Tasmania's landscapes, and offers many opportunities for adventure, such as gold panning or honey tasting.
Strahan also regularly performs "The Ship that Never Was," a pantomime play that tells the escapades of the Frederick escape, in which Australian convicts took over the ship in 1834 and fled to Chile. It is performed seven nights a week, during peak season (September - May), at the Trahan Amphitheatre. By walking through People's Park, you can go into a rainforest and see a beautiful waterfall at Hogarth Falls. These waters are also home to the platypus. Lastly, enjoy some food at the Wild Rivers Dining.
Port Arthur
Like many early towns in Australia, Port Arthur was established as a penal colony. This colony contained the more hardened convicts: individuals who had already been sent to Australia and had continued to commit crimes. At Port Arthur, these convicts primarily cut timber for government projects from 1833 to 1877. Today, Port Arthur serves as a welcoming tourist destination where one can learn about its fascinating history, explore beautiful natural spots, and embark on heart-pounding tours.
One of the most terrifying tours will take you through the Separate Prison. In this place, convicts were forced to wear hoods, forbidden to speak to each other, and referred to only by a number. You can also tour the Port Arthur Historic Site, featuring hiking trails, historic structures, and the Remarkable Cave. The ocean carved out this cave, offering excellent views of the ocean from a lookout platform. Lastly, after a day of exploring, you can enjoy a glass of whisky or gin from the McHenry Distillery.
Tasmania is a place of dark history, beautiful landscapes, and quirky events. Most of all, it is an island of discovery. You can discover seahorses and platypi in Beauty Point or dive into the depths of an old prison at Port Arthur. Most of these towns have tiny populations of under 1,000 people, and their residents take pride in their cities. They will welcome visitors with open arms and leave them with fun stories to tell once they get back home about the rainforests, creatures, and locales of Tasmania.
