History of Tasmanian Towns!

Ranelagh, a charming village in Tasmania's Huon Valley, has a history that reflects its transformation from a remote settlement to a vibrant community. The area was originally known as Victoria until 1891 when it was renamed following the gazettal of Huonville as a town. The fertile soil of the Huon Valley supported the development of orchards and vineyards, making agriculture the backbone of the local economy. In the early 20th century, Ranelagh's proximity to Huonville and Hobart led to its growth as a residential and lifestyle area. The village became a hub for commuters and tourists, blending historic charm with modern amenities. Notable landmarks include the Ranelagh Soldiers' Memorial Hall, opened in 1924 to honor local soldiers who served in World War I, and the heritage-listed Clifton Estate, which once hosted Queen Elizabeth II. Ranelagh is also known for its vibrant community events, such as the annual Huon Show and the Taste of the Huon festival, which celebrate ...

  Huonville, nestled on the banks of the Huon River in Tasmania's Huon Valley, boasts a rich history that reflects its evolution from a remote settlement to a vibrant agricultural hub. The area was originally inhabited by the Mellukerdee people, one of the First Nations groups of southern Tasmania, who relied on the river's resources for fishing, hunting, and cultural practices. European exploration of the Huon River began in 1792 with Admiral Bruni d'Entrecasteaux's expedition. However, permanent European settlement didn't occur until 1839 when Thomas and William Walton took up a land grant. The dense bush, lack of arable land, and difficult access initially hindered settlement, but by 1853, around 100 people, mostly convicts, lived in the area. The town's growth accelerated with the est ablishment of better transport links, including a track to Hobart in 1855, a coaching service in 1869, and a bridge over the Huon River in 1876. The burgeoning apple industry p...

Nubeena, a picturesque village on Tasmania's Tasman Peninsula, has a rich history intertwined with the region's convict past and maritime heritage. The area was originally inhabited by the Pydairrerme band of the Oyster Bay tribe before European settlement. The name "Nubeena" itself is believed to be derived from an Aboriginal word meaning "place of many waters." In 1827, Governor George Arthur proposed a penal settlement on the Tasman Peninsula due to its strategic location and natural resources. By 1830, the first convicts arrived, and the settlement quickly grew into a significant industrial complex. The town of Nubeena developed as an outstation of Port Arthur, serving as an important convict farming community. The village's maritime history is evident in its network of inlets and bays, which have supported fishing and small-scale industries over the years. Coal mining was once a significant activity in the area, with the ruins of soldiers' barra...

Ulverstone, located on Tasmania's northern coast, has a fascinating history that reflects its growth from a small settlement to a thriving community. The area was first settled by Europeans in 1848 when Andrew Risby and his family arrived from England to develop farmland in what was then a thickly forested wilderness. The Risby family played a significant role in the early development of the region, clearing land and establishing a homestead known as "The Rises". The town's name, Ulverstone, was first used in 1854 when Hugh Ross McKay opened a store in the area. The Leven Post Office opened in 1857 and was renamed Ulverstone Post Office in 1881. The town's growth was further spurred by the timber industry, with timber from the surrounding forests being in high demand during the Victorian gold rush. Ulverstone continued to develop throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with the establishment of various businesses, schools, and community facilities. The ...

The town's development was closely tied to the mining boom in the region. In 1890, a railway was built between Strahan and the mining town of Zeehan, and in 1899, another railway connected Strahan to Queenstown. These railways made Strahan one of Tasmania's busiest ports, with a population of over 2,000 people at its peak. Strahan's importance as a port declined in the mid-20th century as the railway lines were closed down. However, the town quickly adapted and became a popular tourist destination. The stunning natural beauty of Macquarie Harbour and the Gordon River, along with attractions like the historic penal settlement on Sarah Island, drew visitors from around the world. In 1983, the proposed Franklin-below-Gordon Dam was stopped due to environmental activism, and the area was declared part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. Today, Strahan is known for its heritage railway, boat tours, and its role as a gateway to the Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers Nationa...

The town's European history began in 1642 when Dutch explorer Abel Tasman sighted the Heemskirk and West Coast Ranges. Later, in 1798, George Bass and Matthew Flinders named Mount Zeehan and Mount Heemskirk after Tasman's ships. The discovery of tin at Mount Bischoff in 1871 and silver and lead deposits in 1882 led to a mining boom, and the township of Zeehan was officially established in 1890. By the early 20th century, Zeehan had become Tasmania's third-largest town, boasting a population of 10,000 and a bustling main street over 3.2 kilometers long. The town was known as the "Silver City" and had numerous hotels, pubs, a hospital, and two theaters. However, the mining boom declined after World War I, and by the 1960s, Zeehan had become a ghost town. In recent years, Zeehan has experienced a resurgence thanks to the Renison Bell tin mine, and the town's historical significance is preserved through attractions like the West Coast Heritage Centre and the Gaiet...

Queenstown, Tasmania, is a town with a rich history deeply rooted in mining. The area was first explored in 1862 by surveyor Charles Gould, who believed it held potential for gold deposits. In 1881, Irish prospector Cornelius Lynch discovered gold at Lynch Creek, leading to the establishment of the Mount Lyell Gold Mining Company in 1889. The town initially grew around a shanty town named Penghana, which burned down in 1896 and was promptly rebuilt and renamed Queenstown. The Mount Lyell Mining and Railway Company, established in 1893, became a significant employer, producing mainly copper. By 1901, Queenstown was Tasmania's third-largest town with a population of 5,051 people. The town experienced several booms and busts, with the mining industry driving much of its economy. The surrounding landscape was heavily impacted by mining activities, resulting in a unique "moonscape" appearance due to tree-felling, sulphur smoke, and fire. The Lyell Highway, connecting Queenstow...

Duck River Post Office opened on 1 November 1873 and was renamed  Smithton  in 1895. In 1905 Smithton was declared a town and the Mowbray swamp (now part of the locality of Mella) was drained for dairy pasture. It was here that, in 1920, the 45,000-year-old skeleton of a Zygomaturus (marsupial hippopotamus) was discovered. In 1905, the jetty at Smithton was 1200m long. The first regular rail service on the Marrawah Tramway started in 1913. In 1919 The Stanley–Trowutta railway commenced services and by 1921 the Smithton to Irishtown link was opened. By 1922 the railway link from Myalla to Wiltshire Junction was completed, thus joining the railways in the municipality to the state system. Smithton High School was opened in 1937 and in 1951 a Kindergarten and Public Hospital were opened in Smithton, and the town began to flourish. Smithton  was first settled in 1856, but growth was slow.  Forestry  brought life to the region, with...

Exploration of the Mersey River was undertaken in 1823, however initial observations by the British were unfavourable. Following the arrival of the Van Diemen's Land Company in 1826, the district underwent further exploration and surveying. Settlers commenced arriving later in the same year. Indigenous resistance to settlement was evident, leading to the killing of Captain Bartholomew Boyle Thomas on 31 August 1831. The first European settlement in the Devonport region, predating 1850, was established on a block of land at Frogmore, near present-day Latrobe. It was a modest beginning that set the stage for future developments. In 1850, the arrival of a settler named Oldaker marked the establishment of present-day Devonport. Saw milling and coal mining gained momentum with the arrival of English settlers aboard the sailing ship  Balmoral  in 1854. During the 1850s, twin settlements, Formby and Torquay, emerged on opposite banks at the mouth of the Mersey River. T...

The region was explored in 1821 by Captain Roland, who was searching for farmland. The land was granted to new settlers, and the town is now a major agricultural centre, with a large number of farms of all types in the area. Deloraine is named after a character from the poem  The Lay of the Last Minstrel , written by Sir Walter Scott. Deloraine Post Office opened on 29 October 1836. The town won the State Tidy Towns award in 1992, 1993 and 1995, and the Australian Community of the Year award in 1997. Deloraine,   a town situated on the banks of the Meander River and lying at the foothills of the Great Western Tiers, was named after Sir William Deloraine from the poem 'Lay of the Last Minstrel', by Sir Walter Scott. Classified as an historic town, with many of its buildings dating back to the 1830s and 1840s, Deloraine is the centre of a rich   agricultural  region. Before European settlement the Aborigines of the North tribe frequented the area. A...

Burnie's history is closely tied to the establishment of the Van Diemen's Land Company (VDL Company) in the early 19th century. In 1824, a group of wool merchants, bankers, investors, and woollen mill owners gathered in London to explore the idea of creating a land company in Van Diemen's Land, following the model of the Australian Agricultural Company in the Colony of New South Wales. With backing from William Sorell, a former lieutenant governor, and Edward Curr, who had recently returned from the colony, they established the VDL Company, with William Burnie its inaugural Governor of Company. They applied to Lord Bathurst for a grant of 500,000 acres (200,000 ha), while Bathurst approved a smaller allotment of 250,000 acres (100,000 ha), the company received a Royal Charter in 1825, giving it broad authority to cultivate land, and build housing and wharves to support colonial development within a 250,000-acre (100,000...

Scottsdale was originally called Ellesmere. The area was first surveyed in 1855 and was described as, "the best soil on the island ... well-watered, with a mild climate" by the surveyor James Reid Scott, for whom the town is named. This rings true today as the town, as well as being the regional centre for other north-east towns, is a major agricultural centre. The first land was selected in 1859, and the hamlet of Ellesmere grew up. Ellesmere Post Office opened on 29 November 1865 and was renamed Scottsdale in 1893. During the Second World War a  vegetable  processing factory opened, followed by the Armed Forces Food Science Establishment in 1949. In 2004 the town's population was static with the closure of the vegetable processing factory and the tendency of people to live at Bridport and commute to work. The town supports two large softwood processing factories and relies on  forest -based industries as well as agriculture. Scottsdale’s old-school c...

The area was first settled by James Reid Scott who named it after a small village in his native Scotland. By 1870 there were only three buildings in the valley but three years later, with the discovery of tin, a shanty town had grown up. The Branxholm Post Office opened on 1 August 1876. By 1877 the population was around 300, but many others were living nearby in tin mining camps like Ruby Flats. No Chinese lived within Branxholm itself. In 1883 the town was proclaimed. In the 1890's the Warrentinna Goldfield opened just north of the town, The importance of mining gradually declined. The Golden Mara Mine (gold) closed in 1920 and the Arba Tin Mine, just east of the town, was unprofitable by 1921; although the company continued operations for many years with tributors processing the mine tailings. Eventually, mining was replaced by timber cutting.but mining gradually declined to be replaced by timber cutting. In 1970 the first hop fields were planted. Since ...

Campania was named after Campania House, which was built in the area in 1810-13.   Campania developed around a railway station built in 1876   on land that was formerly a section of the Campania Estate owned by James Brock and  contains several historical buildings. Campania Post Office opened on 15 September 1873.   Around the railway station a township rapidly grew, including several stores, a hotel, flour mill, church, school and sale yards. Campania was proclaimed a township in 1882. Grapevines were first cultivated by George Weston Gunning at Campania in 1825, a cask of wine being produced the following year. Gunning also pioneered the cultivation of hops at Campania, a crop essential for the development of the brewing industry in Tasmania. Source:  campania tasmania history - Search Source:  Campania, Tasmania - Wikipedia

Richmond was initially established as a pioneering district within the Van Diemen's Land penal colony. Richmond later developed as a police district for the surrounding region after Governor George Arthur appointed a number of paid magistrates to oversee penal discipline in 1827. Arthur implemented this measure as a way of increasing penal order, punishing crime and keeping an accurate record of the movements and behaviour of all convicts in attempt to hold the colony up as an orderly colony, enforcing strict convict discipline.  Consequently, Richmond grew as a centre of local government with a centralised justice system, holding council and court hearings from the Coal River Valley to Campania and Colebrook.   According to historian Peter Macfie, there was a high degree of prejudice among the senior public figures of Richmond toward the convicts, which resulted in a 'caste system' within the community – something that was maintained in the region through most of the ninet...