4 small towns in Tasmania worth visiting
While Hobart and Launceston are lovely destinations, there’s plenty else to see in Australia’s island state. Here are some small towns in Tasmania worth visiting.
There’s a lot to love about Tasmania.
It’s clean air. Friendly people. Dynamic landscapes and breathtaking nature. Hobart, which rivals Sydney for beauty.
However, the charm of the state can largely be found in its small towns.
Places like Sheffield, Richmond, Oatlands and Perth are lovely as they each have their own distinct vibe and aspects which make them a pleasant detour on any Tasmanian road trip.
There really is no better feeling than climbing into your (rented) car and driving with only the vaguest of destinations in mind. And then, stopping at anywhere that may take your fancy.
These four towns are all easily accessible on a road trip from Launceston to Hobart.
This post on small towns in Tasmania will cover:
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Small towns in Tasmania worth visiting
Sheffield: a town of murals
I’ve been to Sheffield a couple of times.
The first was over a decade ago, when I was on my way to Tasmazia, the southern hemisphere’s biggest maze.
Sheffield is notable as it is covered in murals. They are everywhere.
On the side of the pub. On a church. In the supermarket car park.
Almost every inch of the town has some of kind of scene painted on it.
And they’re darn good, too! Although with Mount Roland looming in the distance, it isn’t really all that hard to see where the artists get their inspiration from.
Oatlands: bemused sheep, Georgian architecture & a big mill
Oatlands was one of those aforementioned destinations that I pulled off the highway to see. There was allegedly a mill. I wanted to see said mill.
And I did.
Oatlands is quiet.
I wandered around for a bit, taking photos of the gorgeous Georgian buildings and cottages and the local sheep.
There were a couple of antique stores there as well. Had a rummage around in one, but most of the stuff was breakable and I didn’t trust myself or the baggage handlers at Hobart and Melbourne airports respectively not to break it.
Richmond: am I in England, or Australia?
Richmond is a bit of a tourist hotspot in southern Tasmania and rightly so, as it is bloody gorgeous.
It’s also one of the most historic towns in Tasmania, as it has the oldest just about everything within its boundaries.
The town is home to Australia’s oldest bridge (well, oldest that is still in use), which was completed in 1825.
To any Brits or Europeans who may be reading this, please don’t laugh at how recent that is, because it is mean.
St John’s Catholic Church is also considered to be the oldest in Australia. It is really quite cute. Just look at it.
Other sights include the gaol, school house and many other lovely looking buildings, with brightly coloured doors.
Richmond holds a Saturday market. I walked in for thirty seconds and left $70 poorer.
There’s plenty of places to eat, drink and be merry in this town.
Perth: home to Tasmania’s only castle (to my knowledge)
Not be confused with the WA capital, Perth is one of the more quirky towns in Tasmania.
You’ll see Perth pretty early on in the drive from Launceston to Hobart.
It’d be a blink and you miss it kinda place… if it weren’t for the fact that someone has built a castle on the side of the road.
Tasmania really is Australia’s weirdest state. And I dunno about you, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
What are your favourite small towns in Tasmania?
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Oh Tasmania you are so beautiful. So many cute little towns! I could see myself living here with Pygmy goats one day.
It’s all I want in life.
There is something beautiful about small towns! Loved this post, thanks for sharing your experience 🙂
My friend lives in Tasmania and sends me lots of gorgeous photos, like these, to encourage me to visit. Soon hopefully!
Haha it’s pretty easy to take a good photo of this state. Imagine how it looks in the flesh!
That place is so cute ! The mural on the church is amazing, too ! I’ve always regretted not having enough time to go to Tasmania when I was in Australia… Hopefully I’ll make it some day !
Hope you do as well!
I refuse to accept that as a castle! One of my biggest desires in life is to just get in a car and drive, just as you did. But I can’t drive sooo that plan’s off for a while. Richmond is more English looking than many places in England – so weird!
I’ve heard there’s a bigger one in NSW but then it looks more like a stately house. I like this one as it resembles a joke. You will do it one day and it is well worth the effort. And cause you’re British you’ll learn stick too, so you’ll be driving real cars, not the stupid rubbish automatics that many drive here.
I love Tasmania! When I went there I thought everything looked SO old. Then I moved to Scotland haha. It’s definitely worth getting out into the small towns too. We had a car and drove around some amazing places. I don’t remember those murals though! I think next time in Australia I need to make another trip 🙂
Haha, I totally know what you mean, felt the same way when I moved to England. Yeah, admittedly I wondered too if it was a newish thing – I don’t remember them being there and that was about six years ago. I think it’s a state worth returning to for sure.