The Great Western Tiers
The Tasmanian touring region known as the Great Western Tiers runs from Mole Creek in the west to Prospect, on the outskirts of Launceston, in the east. The Great Western Tiers themselves are a dramatic feature that dominates the landscape, comprising the northern escarpment of Tasmania's Central Plateau.
Mole Creek offers spectacular mountain views of the Great Western Tiers, one of the longest unbroken escarpments in Australia and the face of the Central Plateau. Western Bluff, located at the western end of the Tiers, is snowcapped in winter, a most impressive sight considering the edifice’s towering 1420m height. In the shadows of the Tiers are a number of small towns and villages, as well as much-visited wonders such as Liffey Falls, Meander Forest Reserve & Falls and Devil’s Gullet.
Take a picnic and follow Lakes Highway up to the top of the Tiers and onto the Central Plateau. Here you will find the Great Lakes – a fisherman’s heaven!
Deloraine
Deloraine is a scenic 20-minute drive from Mole Creek and home to the Great Western Tiers Visitor Centre.
Deloraine’s vibrant and thriving community make it an absolute must-see for visitors. There are plenty of shops, restaurants, cafes, hotels, arts and crafts galleries, banks and much more. Deloraine also features a wide range of statues along its main streets, ranging from historic to comical in style.
Great Western Tiers Visitor Centre, Deloraine
The Great Western Tiers Visitor Centre in Deloraine caters for visitors’ needs, but is also home to two unique attractions that should not be missed.
The first is the Deloraine Museum, housed in a building dating to 1856. Originally a family cottage, the building was extended and became the Family and Commercial Inn in 1863, operating as such until 1894. In 1972, it was donated to the community to serve the purpose it does today.
While visiting the museum, make sure to tour Jimmy Possum’s snug, as well as the exhibition gallery, pub, dairy, blacksmith’s shop and vehicle shed, and Alma Bramich Garden.
The second attraction is Yarns Artwork in Silk, a unique 3D textile art installation that’s a fitting tribute for a town known for its artistry. The artwork was created by more than 300 people from the region and took 10,000 hours to complete. Parts of the Great Western Tiers in each of the four seasons are depicted in 3.4 m x 4 m panels, using 200 metres of hand-dyed silk and techniques including embroidery, applique, cross-stitch, weaving, patchwork and quilting. An audio-visual presentation plays every 30 minutes, enhancing visitors’ appreciation of the labour of love that is Yarns.