After our big drive to the West Coast last week, we decided to make this week’s outing a more relaxing trip. We thought we’d pick a town and go for a nice pub lunch. One of the Don River Railway volunteers told Naomi that the British Hotel at Deloraine was very nice so we decided that’s where we would go.

Deloraine is in the central north of Tasmania, roughly half way between Devonport and Launceston. We headed east along the Bass Highway this time passing through Burnie and Devonport. We left home at about 10am and were at Deloraine at 11:30am, in plenty of time for lunch.

Deloraine is close to the Great Western Tiers. I love that Tasmania is a mountainous state. We don’t have great towering peaks but we do have mountain ranges that are very picturesque. I have always enjoyed travelling on the section of road between Devonport and the start of the Midland Highway because of the views. It is mostly farmland but with the mountains in the background. There are several places along this stretch of road that we would like to visit so no doubt we’ll be doing this drive again.

Both of us have been to Deloraine before but not recently and not for a really good look around. It has usually been a stopping place on the way to or from Devonport. Like most Tasmanian towns Deloraine is situated on a river, the Meander. It once had a railway but now all that remains is the abandoned rail line and the Apex Train Park where you can see a Tasmanian Government Railways E Class locomotive which has been in the park since 1971.

The pub turned out to be a grand, red brick building and we liked it at once. Our meal, rissoles and mashed potato with gravy and vegetables was very nice and filling. We voted them the best rissoles we’d had anywhere. There didn’t seem to be any dessert on offer but that was fine because we would not have had room for it.

After lunch we went for a walk. Some shops and galleries were open, others were not but we saw enough of interest to plan on returning on another day, maybe during the week to browse in a couple of others. Deloraine has several interesting old buildings some of which are classified by the National Trust.

At the Visitor Centre there is an exhibition of textiles and a large Folk Museum. We didn’t visit either this time but I hope we will do so on a future visit.

Deloraine hosts a big craft fair every year and there are a few galleries around the town. The streets have sculptures of various people and animals which I want to find out more about and down by the river there are a couple more art trails you can walk.

The area by the river is very pleasant as it has shady trees and BBQ’s A nice place to sit and relax on a warm day.

Further Reading:

Deloraine

https://www.discovertasmania.com.au/about/regions-of-tasmania/launceston-and-north/deloraine