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Scottsdale, Tasmania - Country Charm and the Gateway to the North-East
- Feb 8, 2022
- 4 min read
Updated: Jan 28
Scottsdale, Tasmania - Country Charm and the Gateway to the North-East
Set among rolling farmland, forested hills, and river valleys, Scottsdale is a welcoming country town in Tasmania’s north-east. Located around 63 kilometres north-east of Launceston and 280 kilometres from Hobart, it’s an easy and rewarding stop for travellers exploring the region or heading between Tasmania’s north and east coasts.
Known for its strong agricultural roots — including dairy farming, hops, and poppy fields — Scottsdale has a relaxed, small-town atmosphere where friendly locals, historic buildings, and wide country streets set the pace. It also makes an excellent base for discovering waterfalls, lookouts, forests, and quirky natural attractions nearby.
A Relaxed Country Town Atmosphere
Scottsdale has a down-to-earth charm that’s easy to enjoy. Cafés and bakeries offer a welcoming place to stop for coffee or lunch, while local shops and services make it a practical place to pause on a road trip.
Surrounded by productive farmland and bushland, the town feels closely connected to the landscape — a place where rural life and natural beauty go hand in hand.
Scottsdale Military Museum
One of Scottsdale’s standout attractions is the Scottsdale RSL Military Museum, a thoughtful and impressive tribute to Australia’s military history. Opened in 2015, the museum houses a wide collection of memorabilia spanning conflicts from the Boer War through to modern operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, including World Wars I and II, Korea, and Vietnam.
At the heart of the museum is a Vietnam-era Iroquois “Huey” helicopter — the only one of its kind open to the public in Tasmania. Visitors can even sit inside, gaining a powerful sense of its scale and significance. Uniforms, equipment, personal artefacts, and stories throughout the museum bring the human side of service and sacrifice to life.
With affordable entry and engaging displays suitable for all ages, it’s well worth a visit.
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North East Park and Camping Ground
Just outside town, North East Park and Camping Ground is a peaceful retreat for campers, caravanners, and nature lovers. Set among gentle hills and forest with a small lake, the park is a lovely place to unwind.
Facilities include low-cost unpowered campsites, barbecue areas, picnic tables, toilets, and hot showers. Wander the forest tracks, enjoy a picnic on the grass, or keep an eye out for wildlife such as platypus, wallabies, and ducks
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Whether you’re staying overnight or using Scottsdale as a base, North East Park offers a calm and scenic place to relax.
Attractions near Scottsdale
Sideling Lookout
Sideling Lookout is perched alongside an elevated stretch of the Tasman Highway, offering travellers a perfect stop between Launceston and Scottsdale. From this vantage point, you can take in sweeping views of rolling hills, patchwork farmland, and the distant coastline, making it a fantastic spot for photos or a brief stretch during a road trip.
The lookout’s elevated position also provides a real sense of the region’s natural beauty and scale, with the contrast between lush green pastures and rugged terrain unfolding before you. Whether you’re stopping for a quick snapshot, a picnic, or on a daytrip from Scottsdale, Sideling Lookout is a scenic highlight on the journey through northeast Tasmania.
Bridestowe Lavender Estate
Bridestowe Lavender Estate is open to visitors year-round, offering a different kind of beauty in every season as you admire the iconic curved rows that sweep across the hillside. The highlight of the year is the much-loved Festival of Flowers, held in December and January when the lavender fields burst into vibrant shades of purple. A must-see for many Tasmanian bucket lists.
Entry to the estate is free for most of the year, with a gate fee only applying during the peak flowering festival period. Whether in full bloom or resting between seasons, Bridestowe remains a magical stop near Scottsdale.
Lilydale Falls is a charming waterfall near the town of Lilydale in north-east Tasmania. It is surrounded by lush bushland and tall eucalypt trees, and the easy walking track meanders through a peaceful forest to a scenic cascade, making it a perfect spot for a short nature walk. Lilydale Falls is a pair of waterfalls formed as the Second River cascades over rocks. They are located in the Lilydale Falls Reserve.
Mt Paris Dam
Mt Paris Dam is a quiet, enchanting spot where history and nature meet. The Cascade River flows gently through the old pillar-and-slab dam, a relic of Tasmania’s past, slowly being reclaimed by the surrounding forest. Towering ferns and dense bushland create a cool, shaded sanctuary, perfect for a peaceful stroll or a moment of reflection.
Wander around and explore the dam walls, and listen to the soothing sounds of the river as it winds its way through this lush, green haven. Whether you’re a history enthusiast, a nature lover, or just looking for a tranquil escape, Mt Paris Dam offers a unique glimpse into Tasmania’s natural and industrial heritage, all set in a beautifully serene environment.
Little Blue Lake
Little Blue Lake is a striking natural curiosity tucked just a few metres off the road between Derby and Gladstone. Created as a mine hole, the lake has transformed over time into a vibrant pool of intense aqua-blue water, caused by the mineral-rich base that gives it its otherworldly colour.
A short, easy walk from the roadside viewing area offers the perfect vantage point to admire the lake’s vivid hue and snap some memorable photos. Surrounded by bushland and the remnants of its mining past, Little Blue Lake is a fascinating stop for travellers exploring northeast Tasmania.
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