Just an hour’s drive from Launceston, Scottsdale is a picturesque town located amidst rolling green hills and rich pasture land. Close to local wineries, Scottsdale is the quintessential Tasmanian farming town, located in the island’s verdant North East. With fertile soil and a mild climate, the region’s main industries are pine plantation logging, dairy and potato farming. Scottsdale is home to 2,500 people and, as the main population centre in the region, it has a wide range of shops and services, as well as highly regarded schools.
Scottsdale and the surrounding area offer many world class attractions and a rich diversity of things to see and do. A short drive from Scottsdale is Blue Derby, Tasmania’s world-renowned mountain biking park located in temperate rainforest. The 100km network of Blue Derby Trails encompass some of the most stunning landscapes in the state.
The nearby coastal town of Bridport is home to Barnbougle Dunes and Lost Farm Golf Courses, both ranked in the world’s top 25 by Golf Digest magazine, with the Dunes course ahead of the iconic Pebble Beach course in California and Kingston Heath in Melbourne. Ruthless marram grass, wide open fairways and exquisite hole layouts in the dunes just behind the beach make for an unforgettable challenge. Bridport is also a great spot for river or sea fishing, and the Bridport Wildflower Reserve is worth a visit for a spectacular display of colour.
Just outside Scottsdale is also the world’s largest lavender farm, the Bridstowe Lavender Estate. At 260 acres, the sprawl of gently curving lavender rows transform the entire landscape into a stunningly photogenic vista, a popular destination for tourists and locals alike, with tours, boutique gifts, and a cafe offering seasonal meals and great coffee.