Image: Jade Austen
There’s a special kind of magic in Deloraine — and now Tasmania’s noticed it too. Our town has been named Tasmania’s Small Tourism Town of the Year, and next, we’re off to represent our patch at Australia's Top Tourism Town Awards.
The award celebrates small towns (with a population between 1,500 and 5,000) that offer genuine, memorable experiences — the kind of places where visitors feel like locals, and locals are proud to show them around.
Nestled in the heart of Tasmania’s Meander Valley, Deloraine is a place where heritage and wilderness sit side by side. Hugging the banks of the Meander River and watched over by the Great Western Tiers — known to the Palawa people as Kooparoona Niara — it’s the kind of town that invites you to slow your stride and settle in.
Known for its many short walks, Deloraine is made for wandering. There’s art in the windows, stories in the stonework, and a gentle rhythm to life here. Follow the river’s edge, step inside the Folk Museum, or take a short drive out to Liffey Falls, the glow-worm caves, or Trowunna Wildlife Sanctuary — all close by, and all worth the detour.
Truffle farms, roadside veggie stalls, cool-climate wines and country pubs aren’t just part of the view — they’re part of the community. Each one speaks to the richness of the land and the generosity of the people who call this place home. And when the sun dips low, the night sky puts on a show of its own — crisp, clear, and filled with stars, and sometimes even, the Aurora Australis.
In Deloraine, there’s no need to rush. Take a breath, take it all in — and let life move at a gentler pace.
Deloraine’s winning entry was created by the Great Western Tiers Tourism Association, featuring a three-day itinerary and a short video that give a real feel for the place. It’s the kind of storytelling that comes from spending time here — walking the river, meeting the locals, and soaking up the pace of life beneath the Tiers.
Big thanks also to Meander Valley Council, Visit Northern Tasmania, and the Tourism Industry Council of Tasmania for their support.
