🏡 Moving to Tasmania’s Central Highlands: 7-Day House-Hunting Itinerary

🏡 Moving to Tasmania’s Central Highlands: 7-Day House-Hunting Itinerary

✅ Ideal For:

Tree-changers, fishers, off-grid adventurers

Retirees, families, self-sufficiency seekers

Buyers interested in buying land, cabins, lifestyle homes, or renovator specials

Those with own 4WD or high-clearance vehicle

📅 Best Time to Visit

Late Spring (Nov–early Dec): Roads are dry, fishing season is on, flowers blooming.

Early Autumn (Mar–Apr): Cool and crisp but clear for driving and visibility.

Avoid winter (June–Aug) unless experienced with snow/ice driving.

🕒 Ideal Trip Duration

6–7 days gives you time to explore key shack villages, lakeside towns, and remote blocks, meet locals and agents, and revisit your favourites.

🏨 Where to Stay

Miena (Base): Best facilities in the region (pub, fuel, meals, real estate access)

Other options: Bronte Park Highland Village, shack rentals in Arthurs Lake or Tods Corner

🔍 House Viewings & Preparation

Use realestate.com.au and View.com.au (search “Central Highlands Council” or town names)

Contact local agents:

LJ Hooker Central Tasmania (Deloraine-based)

Roberts Real Estate (Launceston/Hobart) with Highlands listings

Harcourts Northern Midlands

Many properties are privately listed or sold word-of-mouth — visit pubs, shops, or the community centre to ask

Very few open homes — most are by private inspection only

Many are cash-only sales, uninsurable, or no compliance with council building codes — bring a practical mindset

🚗 7-Day House-Hunting Itinerary

Day 1 – Saturday: Arrive via Midlands Highway + Open Houses (if any)

Morning: Depart Hobart or Launceston

Stop at Oatlands or Bothwell for fuel/food

Afternoon: Arrive Miena, check in, drive to Wilburville, Shannon, and Tods Corner

Take photos, assess conditions, check if lake access is direct or shared

Evening: Dinner at Great Lake Hotel

✅ Focus: Assess shack density, lake access, condition of buildings, feel of community

Day 2 – Sunday: Explore Miena + Arthurs Lake

Morning: Walk the Great Lake shoreline, visit boat ramp areas

Midday: Drive to Arthurs Lake, explore shacks around Wilburville and Little Arthurs

Afternoon: Optional 4WD to Liawenee or beyond (weather permitting)

Evening: Fish, relax, talk to locals at the pub

✅ Focus: Water proximity, slope of land, access conditions, conversation with residents

Day 3 – Monday: Bronte Park + Lake Echo

Morning: Scenic drive south-west to Bronte Park

View: Old hydro homes, tourism-renovated cottages

Afternoon: Explore Lake Echo shack areas, stop at Tungatinah Lagoon

Evening: Return to Miena or stay in Bronte

✅ Focus: Standalone property potential, tourism use, fire access

Day 4 – Tuesday: Steppes + Waddamana

Morning: Visit Steppes Historic Site, nearby properties with wilderness blocks

Afternoon: Head to Waddamana — long drive, limited access but unique homes

Evening: Return to Miena

✅ Focus: Heritage opportunities, extreme seclusion, historical charm

Day 5 – Wednesday: Council + Locals

Morning: Drive to Hamilton, Bothwell, or Oatlands and visit Central Highlands Council

Ask about:

Shack lease history

Building approvals

Bushfire overlays

Septic/water compliance

Afternoon: Chat to real estate offices in Deloraine or Campbell Town

Evening: Back to Highlands or stay in Midlands

✅ Focus: Admin, zoning, compliance, talk to locals

Day 6 – Thursday: Revisit Top Picks

Morning + afternoon: Revisit favourite blocks or buildings (with different light/weather)

Recheck mobile signal, noise, wind exposure, and boundary fences

Evening: Final checklist

✅ Focus: Due diligence, realism, dealbreakers

Day 7 – Friday: Wrap-up + Exit

Morning: Final check on roads, lake levels, access gates

Drive back via alternate route (e.g. Poatina, Mole Creek, or Western Tiers)

Optional: Visit Deloraine, Westbury, or Longford for final contrast

✅ Focus: Final impression, next steps

🛠️ Key Buying Notes

Many blocks have no title upgrades or septic/water certificates

Expect limited lending eligibility — cash is king

Internet/mobile reception can be non-existent

Speak to locals about:

Snow levels

Roof maintenance (corrugated iron, water tanks)

Road access and firewood sources

Contact council early for future improvements or reno plans

🪵 Bonus Considerations

Firewood delivery, septic emptying, and snow plowing are key services — factor into lifestyle

Joining community Facebook groups (e.g. Miena Community Noticeboard) helps for leads on private sales

✅ Next Steps

Shortlist locations (e.g. “lake access near Miena” or “off-grid at Shannon”)

Get council planning documents

Talk to a builder or contractor re: upgrades or insulation

Ask agent: "Is this building recognised by council?"

Request land parcel info from LISTmap (Land Information System Tasmania)