Deloraine, Tasmania

Deloraine is a town on the Meander River, in the central north of Tasmania, Australia. It is 50 km west of Launceston and 52 km south of Devonport along the Bass Highway. It is part of the Meander Valley Council, Deloraine has a population of 2,745

History
The region was explored in 1821 by Captain Roland, who was searching for farm land. 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 Post Office opened on 29 October 1836.

The town today
The town won the State Tidy Towns award in 1992, 1993 and 1995, and the Australian Community of the Year award in 1997.

The town is also considered a cultural centre and hosts the largest craft fair in the southern hemisphere, attracting around 40,000 people annually, During the craft fair, there are 13 venues and over 200 stalls operating around the town.

The town was bypassed by the new Bass Highway in the early 1990s. However the town has not suffered from this, and is a popular rest location for travellers. It also serves as a base to explore areas such as Cradle Mountain, the Great Western Tiers, Mole Creek and the Central Highlands.

It is also the educational centre for the region with both primary (Deloraine Primary School and Our Lady of Mercy Catholic School) and high schools (Deloraine High School), with students from other near towns attending school by taking daily buses.

Deloraine is in the Launceston licence area for television and radio and is served by ABC Television, SBS Television, Tasmanian Digital Television, Southern Cross Tasmania, WIN Television, 91.7 ABC Northern Tasmania and other ABC radio networks, commercial stations 89.3 LAFM and 90.1 Chilli FM and community station 96.9 Meander Valley FM

Sister cities
Deloraine has one sister city, according to the Australian Sister Cities Association.


 * 🇳🇿 Hokitika, New Zealand