The Quiet Country Town of Deloraine, Tasmania

When I think of the most memorable places I’ve been in Tasmania, nearly all are places out in nature. And yet there’s something about the serene riverside town of Deloraine that appealed to me. We may have only stopped here en route to other attractions in northern Tasmania, but we were there long enough to see its charms.

With Deloraine, you have a good old-fashioned country town, with a bit of history, a bit of quirkiness, and one stunning river. So, whether it’s as a day trip from Launceston,  a lunch stop, or part of your larger Tasmania itinerary, here’s why you should visit Deloraine.

Town of Deloraine

Before we get to the things to do in Deloraine, let’s take a look at the town itself. With just 2000 residents, Deloraine is by no means a big town, but that doesn’t make it important. What sets it apart is the town’s location, as it sits at a crossroads of sorts.

National Highway 1 runs from Devonport to Deloraine and through to Launceston, while the A5 Highway starts here and heads up into the Central Highlands. Therefore anyone heading from either major city in the north towards the lakes in the Central Highlands has to go through Deloraine. So if you’re visiting Great Lake or Liffey Falls, you may as well stop here and see what the town is like.

Aside from all that, Deloraine is a town with a sense of history and a love of arts and crafts. You’ll spot quite a few classic Georgian and Victorian buildings in town, as well as an old steam locomotive at its train park.

Like many Australian country towns, it also has its share of craft shops and antique stores if you’re into that kind of thing. Oh, and bundles of places to choose from for brunch or lunch, from cafes to bakeries and more.

Meander River

The part of Deloraine that’s bound to win people over quickly is its idyllic riverfront. One look at the grassy banks and calm water of the Meander River and you’ll think you’re looking at a painting. The blues and greens you see here are far more vivid than you normally find in Tasmania, and it almost feels like you’re somewhere else entirely.

Oh, and I love the river’s name as well, as it perfectly encapsulates the feel of here. The river does look like it meanders here, with the lily pads and willow trees adding to Deloraine’s unhurried atmosphere.

Deloraine Statues

In the past, I’ve mentioned a quirk you find throughout towns in this part of Tasmania. Many towns have a “thing” that they’re known for, like the murals in Sheffield. Well, in the case of Deloraine, their thing is small statues. Spend any time walking around town and you’ll spot loads of these little statues.

Much like Sheffield, there’s no clear-cut theme to these colourful characters, other than they all seem to be quite good-natured. Many do seem to relate to life in the country, which makes sense as Deloraine is just a country town.

The best place to start if you want to see the statues is with the town’s main street Emu Bay Road. Even along there, you can find at least a dozen propped up along the footpath. Just another reason to explore the town.

Tips for Visiting Deloraine

As mentioned earlier, Deloraine is a super easy place to get to if you’re in northern Tasmania. That is, if you have a car. If you don’t have your own wheels, you can easily rent a car in Launceston.

To get from Launceston to Deloraine, it’s only about a 40-minute drive, and Deloraine to Devonport is roughly the same. This makes it a nice place to stretch your legs if you’re out for a drive, exploring local waterfalls or nature walks.

But because it’s this close to two much bigger destinations, I can’t see why you’d need to stay in town. I mean, there are a few options for Deloraine accommodation, and it could make a nice country weekend getaway. But staying in town isn’t a necessity unless you want to.

Have you visited the town of Deloraine while exploring northern Tasmania? Do you enjoy seeing these smaller country towns on your travels? Please share your thoughts in the comments below.

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