7 Bizarrely Named Towns In Tasmania

Tasmania feels a bit cut off from the rest of Australia. Just look at where it sits down off the southern tip, all on its own. That distance sets it apart in Australian history, almost like it is in its own world. If you visit, you can find towns with names that will make you do a double-take. Some came about by mistake. Others started as a joke that just stuck. A few took the names from far across the globe. Here are seven towns in Tasmania with names so odd you might laugh out loud. Maybe they'll even make you want to hit the road and see them for yourself.

Squeaking Point

Squeaking Point sits on the northern Tasmanian coast, and its curious name comes from an old local story. A pig once got loose from a ship here, and when locals chased it down the pig squealed loudly when recaptured. The memory was never forgotten. It used to be called Moriarty, but in 1948 the name was changed to Squeaking Point, and by 1967 it was officially locked in as the town’s name. Here at Squeaking Point, there are all sorts of outdoor activities to do. At Narawntapu National Park, people come face to face with Tasmania’s own “Serengeti.” You will see Forester kangaroos and big wombats eating grass out in the open, with wide views all around.

Try the Coastal Traverse or the Springlawn Nature Walk trails, as both trails are quiet and packed with wildlife, so bring your camera. At Archer's Knob Walk, campers enjoy a simple yet scenic base with access to sandy shores. Over at the Rubicon Estuary, south of Squeaking Point’s eastern edge, you will find a spot internationally recognised for its birdlife. Its tidal flats shelter pied oystercatchers and migratory waders, making it perfect for quiet observation.

Bagdad

Despite the name, there is actually no direct cultural connection to the Iraqi city. Bagdad was named in 1811 by surveyor Hugh Germain. He used names from the Bible and the Arabian Nights while charting the area. Inspired by the exotic city of Baghdad, he applied the name to the valley north of Hobart. If you are here visiting, Chauncy Vale Wildlife Sanctuary lies just southeast of Bagdad and offers a peaceful retreat into the bushland. The reserve stretches across eucalyptus forest and sandstone caves where streams run quietly through the valley and wallabies and birds appear along the tracks.

From the sanctuary, the Brown’s Caves Loop Trail sets out across dry woodland and leads to striking rock overhangs and hidden cave shelters. Just a little way down the road from Bagdad, you will find the Bonorong Animal Home. There, animals like Tasmanian devils and kangaroos live under the care of staff. Travel north from town on the Heritage Highway to find the Old Kempton Distillery. They welcome everyone (of legal drinking age, of course) into their old-timey house from the 1840s for tours and tasters.

Eggs and Bacon Bay

This little town owes its odd name to the wildflowers in the area, as their yellow and red petals made early settlers think of fried eggs and bacon. Over time, the name stuck. Start your visit to the area over near the eponymous Eggs and Bacon Bay, where the shoreline blends softly into clear water. Take a moment; let the water and breeze sink in.

When you feel up for it, get in a car and drive northeast towards Nicholls Rivulet. Make sure to swing by the Ashcraig Farm along the way. Here, the owners grow fresh produce and serve Thai dishes that make a casual lunch feel special. As the afternoon fades, swing by the town of Cygnet and check out Jacky’s Café, a warm spot with big plates of food where you can kick back and enjoy a nice place to relax after a busy day.

Doo Town

Doo Town in Tasmania got its name in the 1930s when residents of a small holiday community of simple beach houses began giving their homes names including “Doo”, mostly as puns or in-jokes. The holiday shacks here often have cheeky names like “Doo Me” or “Much A Doo” (and plenty more), which adds a little humor to the coastal town. This little town clings to the coastline in Tasmania’s southeast, close to the wild stretch at Eaglehawk Neck. You can actually see Pirates Bay from here, where a broad sweep of sand pushes against rugged cliffs topped with dense forest. You can head out on foot to reach Tasman Arch, a huge stone bridge that the sea carved out over time, only about ten minutes from town.

Close by, you will also find the Devil’s Kitchen. Once a sea cave until waves slowly cut away at the sandstone, caving in the top to give us what we have today, this chasm gives visitors a glorious look at the rushing sea. Also just a short trip from town is the Blowhole. If the tide is in, seawater blasts through a tunnel and bursts into a craggy pool, launching spray way up into the air.

Grindelwald

In the 1980s, a Dutch immigrant, Roelf Vos, started this village from scratch, looking to attract visitors to the area. He took the inspiration from Grindelwald in Switzerland, putting up alpine-style buildings to give this area of Tasmania a European feel. Grindelwald is also a bit different because every building has to stick to strict design rules to ensure the village feels like a real Swiss alpine location. When you show up near the Tamar Valley Resort, the first thing to do is check out the lake and wander along the curving trails. The scenery is like nothing else in Tasmania. Make sure to check out the miniature golf course, which winds through gardens and bridges.

Feel like some shopping? Have a look at the Grindelwald Swiss Village shopping arcade, packed with quirky specialty shops that totally stand out. You can sample some decadent artisanal chocolate at the Chocolate Café, or just chill with a coffee before taking a quick walk. The town also functions as a jumping-off spot for the Tamar Valley Wine Trail. Here, wineries open their doors for people eager to savor the unique wines of the region. That and the rolling countryside make for a great way to spend time.

Snug

Snug was first sighted by Europeans in 1792 by Rear Admiral Bruni D'Entrecasteaux, but it wasn't until 1810 that Europeans would discover what would be called the Snug River, named because the inlet gave a sense of shelter. It was a safe anchorage, and the description stuck. By the 1830s, families were cutting timber and planting orchards, and gradually the river’s name was given to the town, too. The town sits on the D’Entrecasteaux Channel about half an hour south of Hobart, and is home to just over a thousand people. Snug’s a top pick if you are itching to get outdoors. If you are up for it, walk the track out to Snug Falls. It is a popular spot for its serene waterfall hidden in a gully overflowing with ferns.

If you would rather take it easy, wander down to Snug Beach on the edge of town. Sometimes people just sit by the shore, letting the sounds of nature take over. Rising behind it all are the Snug Tiers, a rugged stretch of forested hills where wallabies sneak through the trees and wide views open up across North West Bay.

Nowhere Else

It all came about because a highway ended on a farmer's land. That farmer, fed up with people wanting to know where the road led, started replying, “nowhere else”. What began as a joke ended up becoming official, and the name never went away. Now the town sign draws in all sorts of people to take photos. While fewer than 100 people live here, it is pretty close to some cool places to check out. Sheffield, called "Mural Town," sits just next door. Its murals show off paintings sharing the stories about the region's history and surroundings.

You only need to hop in the car for a bit to get over to Tasmazia & The Village of Lower Crackpot, a quirky place packed with mazes and tiny buildings. It is great for families or anyone looking for offbeat fun. Want to get outside? From Nowhere Else, it is about a 15-minute drive north to the Tasmanian Arboretum. There you can wander along paths lined with all sorts of trees. Keep your eyes open for local animals too, with a quiet, peaceful atmosphere to enjoy.

From Placename to Place in Your Heart

Tasmania has some odd town names. Some are hard to forget, and some are just plain funny. Every one of the places holds a bit of history, linking the people to the land and its history. You might come for the views or the beaches. You might come for the people. But you will pack away a bundle of unforgettable memories, like all these quirky names, to bring back home with you. So, if your journey brings you to Tasmania, remember not to miss exploring these bizarrely named places.