6 Tasmania Towns With Unforgettable Main Streets
Located 240 km (150 miles) across the Bass Strait off the south coast of Australia, the island state of Tasmania features some of the country’s most postcard-perfect streetscapes. Despite their relative remoteness, the best of Tasmania’s downtowns are only a short hop from airports in Hobart and Launceston, each served by the Australian cities of Sydney, Brisbane, and Melbourne. Whether you fly in or take the overnight ferry, you’ll certainly be impressed by everything Australia’s smallest state has to offer. From stunning seaside communities to quiet rural villages, these six destinations boast the kind of unforgettable main streets you’ll be excited to wander.
Devonport
As the gateway to Tasmania’s northwest region, Devonport is the first Tasmanian town you’ll see if you arrive by ferry. Head first to Rooke Street, the town’s picturesque main drag, a section of which has been made into a charming pedestrian precinct. Known as the Rooke Street Mall, this “performance precinct” encourages street musicians and entertainers to brighten your day as you explore the Federation-era façades and specialty stores. Several attractions are located here, too, including the Paranaple Arts Centre. This attractive glass-fronted public facility is home to Devonport Regional Gallery as well as the Town Hall Theatre.
After getting acquainted with Rooke Street Mall and grabbing a sweet treat from Marion Storm Café, take the 19-minute stroll along Victoria Parade and the Mersey River to the Bass Strait Maritime Centre. Housed in a former harbormaster’s cottage from the 1920s, here you’ll find the SS Woniora simulator, an interactive display that lets you pilot a freighter down the Mersey. Other exhibits trace daring wartime rescues and the Bass Strait ferry service, while model-ship displays add further perspective about the harbor’s role in Devonport’s development as a still-vital port.
From here, you’re only a 20-minute stroll along the Devonport Cycling and Walking Track to the pretty red and white striped Mersey Bluff Lighthouse. Built in 1889, it serves as a stunning backdrop for photos over the Bass Strait and the mouth of the Mersey River. The Spirit of the Sea Statue on Aikenhead Point is another great spot for photos.
The best time to visit Devonport and its pretty main street? The the month-long Devonport Food & Wine program every October is ideal for its great food and drink experiences, as is the Devonport Jazz festival in July. While it can book up early during festivals, Novotel Devonport is steps from the Rooke Street Mall and overlooks the Mersey so you can watch ferries and other boat traffic come and go.
Sheffield
Less than an hour’s drive from Launceston on the way to the dramatic granite cliffs of Cradle Mountain, Sheffield has been dubbed the “Town of Murals” for its impressive outdoor art displays. All told, more than 160 outdoor paintings can be viewed adorning shop walls, fences, and even electricity boxes, turning the town into one vast walk-through gallery. New murals are added during the International Mural Fest each November when artists create new works in and around Mural Park.
Pop into the Sheffield Arts Centre just off Main Street to check out indoor art displays by local artists and visit the on-site studios. If history’s your thing, the Kentish Museum at the east end of Main Street preserves old photos from the 1880s gold rush era along with tools once used by early pioneers. A favorite attraction in Sheffield, the Redwater Creek Steam Railway runs on weekends from the Sheffield Steam and Heritage Centre using a heritage loco built in 1923.
For two-wheelers, the town serves as a staging ground for the Sheffield MTB Trail Network, a collection of trails with suitable for beginners to hardcore riders. For those who prefer biking on level ground, the 12 km Railton to Sheffield Rail Trail is a great option. As for accommodations, Kentish Hills Retreat is located at the west end of Main Street and is set on five park-like acres… complete with alpacas.
St. Helens
St. Helens is considered the hub of Tasmania’s East Coast and is just under two hours’ drive from Launceston. The action here concentrates on Cecilia Street, a broad one-way boulevard ending at Georges Bay. Here you can browse MinT Gallery & Gift Shop for authentic Tasmanian-made ceramics and small-batch gin, then cross the road for tasty seafood dishes at the Wharf Bar & Kitchen. Afterwards, walk it all off with a stroll along the boardwalk and a dip in the water at Kirwans Beach.
Those wanting to venture off the main drag would do well to bring a bike with them (or rent one). Vertigo MTB St Helens Bike Hire offers first-rate rental services and will even drop you off at some of the best mountain biking spots along the St Helens Mountain Bike Network. This network boasts 42 km of single-track to explore, including a section along the Bay of Fires beach.
On-water fun includes fishing boats competing in the Tom Jenkins Memorial Bluefin Classic each April, with landlubbers able to watch weigh-ins on the wharf and enjoy seafood barbecues. Tourist cruises are also available that offer morning bird-watching trips up the Scamander River, and at night, glass-bottom kayak tours will have you paddling among bioluminescent plankton in Georges Bay. Top it all off with a stay at the Bayside Hotel on Cecilia Street.
Richmond
Just 27 km northeast of Hobart lies Richmond, home to one of the best main streets in Tasmania. Set in the island’s Coal River Valley region, the main route into the downtown area is Bridge Street. Named after Richmond Bridge, Australia’s oldest convict-built road bridge (it was constructed in 1825), it still carries traffic into Bridge Street’s charming Georgian streetscape.
Must-visits include Czegs’ Café, popular among locals for its delicious brioche doughnuts, and Ashmore on Bridge Street for its afternoon. Just a 15-minute walk westward and you’ll find Pooley Wines. Set in a restored 1830s coach house overlooking Pages Creek, it offers tastings and wood-fired pizzas paired with their pinot noirs and Rieslings.
Richmond Gaol is another must-see attraction. Built in the late 1820s, it’s the oldest still intact jail in the country and is fascinating to tour. Old Hobart Town, a great model village, is another must-visit. A great time to visit Bridge Street is during the Crave Harvest Festival in April when the entire route is transformed into an outdoor market complete with cooking classes and live music. Make a weekend of it by booking a stay at the Richmond Arms Hotel, built in 1827 and offering en-suite rooms above its original stables and bar.
New Norfolk
New Norfolk’s High Street is just 30 minutes upriver from Hobart along the Lyell Highway, making it the perfect spot for a day trip. Saturday mornings are good times to visit as the entire street transforms into the New Norfolk Market, a smorgasbord of local produce including Derwent Valley honey, sourdough baked goods, and local crafts. Mid-way along High Street, you will come across Circle Street and the entrance to Willow Court, Australia’s longest-operating mental health asylum (it was open from 1827 to 2000). It’s now fun to visit for the Willow Court Antique Centre and monthly ghost tours.
New Norfolk has also become a must-visit for foodies, the keenest of whom will book a table at The Agrarian Kitchen months in advance. Set in a former ward at the old asylum, this small restaurant is unique in that everything it serves is grown in its own garden or sourced by local foragers. If you do plan on an overnight stay, check the availability at The Woodbridge Tasmania, located on the River Derwent just a short walk from High Street.
Strahan
The small town of Strahan certainly punches above its weight when it comes to fun things to do. Located about as far as you can get from Hobart and still be on the island (the capital is 300 km to the east), Strahan’s main street, Queen Street, is a very welcome sight after an amazing mountain drive. From here, the Historic Foreshore Walk is a pleasant two-kilometer trail that begins at West Strahan Beach and the West Coast Visitor Information Centre and stretches all the way to Regatta Point.
If you like trains, hop aboard the West Coast Wilderness Railway for a three-hour rail adventure. Climbing the original 1-in-16 Abt rack to Rinadeena Siding, this epic train ride takes in the history of gold-panning and other sightseeing highlights en route. A Gordon River Cruise is another must-do and offers wildlife spotting and a rainforest stroll.
Need a place to stay? The Risby Cove Boutique Hotel and Restaurant is a great option and is located on the wharf on the site of the town’s sawmill. Twelve waterfront suites share a jetty-level restaurant that’s known for its fresh-caught crayfish dishes.
The Final Word
Whether you fly in or take the ferry from the mainland, you’ll want to include Tasmania’s small towns on your itinerary, especially if you enjoy a little slow travel. Each of these six destinations will add extra color and culture to your Australian adventure, ensuring a truly authentic Aussie travel experience. After reading about these six Tasmania towns with unforgettable main streets, you’ll be booking a trip “down under” before you know it.
