Sheffield

Sheffield is a small rural town of roughly 1,500 people in north-west Tasmania, tucked beneath the dramatic quartzite ridge of Mount Roland (1,234 m) and about 25 km south of the port city of Devonport. It is known across Australia as the Town of Murals — since the mid-1980s, more than 140 large-scale outdoor murals have been painted on buildings, walls and fences throughout the town, depicting everything from pioneer farming and railway history to the Cradle Mountain wilderness and local wildlife. What began as a community-led effort to arrest economic decline has become one of Tasmania's most distinctive and photographed small towns.

The Kentish municipality, in which Sheffield sits, was settled by European farmers and timber-getters in the 1850s. The town served as a staging post on the road between the north-west coast and the inland mining and hydroelectric settlements. Agriculture — dairy, poppies (for pharmaceutical use), pyrethrum, and potatoes — remains the economic backbone, but tourism has grown steadily since the mural project gained national attention. Sheffield is now the principal gateway for day-trippers heading to Cradle Mountain–Lake St Clair National Park, roughly an hour's drive to the south-west.

The climate is cool temperate and wetter than Tasmania's east coast. Expect changeable weather year-round: summer highs of 19–24 °C with occasional hot days reaching 30 °C, winter lows near 2–5 °C with frequent frost and occasional snow on Mount Roland. Rainfall averages around 950 mm per year, spread relatively evenly across all months. The surrounding countryside is lush green farmland with eucalypt forest on the higher slopes, and the air is some of the cleanest in the world — Cape Grim, the global air-quality reference station, is only 100 km to the north-west.

By Plane

The nearest airport is Devonport Airport (DVO), about 30 km north (25–30 min drive). Rex Airlines operates daily flights between DVO and Melbourne (Tullamarine); Sharp Airlines connects DVO to Flinders Island and King Island. From the airport, rent a car (the practical option in Tasmania) or arrange a taxi/transfer — there is no scheduled bus linking DVO directly to Sheffield.

Launceston Airport (LST), 100 km east, has more frequent Jetstar, Qantas and Virgin flights from Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane, and is the better gateway if combining Sheffield with the east coast. The drive from Launceston to Sheffield takes about 1 hour 20 min via the Bass Highway (A1) and B13.

Hobart Airport (HBA) is 290 km / roughly 3.5 hours drive south — use it only if Sheffield is part of a broader Tasmanian circuit.

By Train

There is no passenger rail in Tasmania — all railways are freight-only. The former line through Sheffield closed decades ago. The nearest long-distance transport by rail is the Spirit of Tasmania ferry from Geelong (Victoria) to Devonport (roughly 11 hours overnight), which carries vehicles and foot passengers. From the Devonport terminal, Sheffield is a 25 min drive south.

By Car / Road

Sheffield sits on the B14 (Sheffield Road), which connects to the Bass Highway (A1) at Railton, 10 km to the north. The town is an easy stop if driving the Cradle Mountain circuit.

• From Devonport: 30 km / 25 min via Railton and the B14. Flat, sealed, good road.
• From Launceston: 95 km / 1 hr 20 min via the Bass Highway westbound to Latrobe, then south.
• From Hobart: 290 km / 3.5 hrs via the Midland Highway (A1) north to Launceston then west. Or take the faster Midlands Highway to Deloraine then the B14 north.
• From Cradle Mountain: 80 km / 1 hr via C132 (Cradle Mountain Road) to Sheffield.
• From Burnie: 60 km / 45 min east along the Bass Highway.

Redline Coaches operates a limited service between Hobart, Launceston and Devonport that stops at Latrobe (15 min north of Sheffield), but does not run into Sheffield itself. Check current timetables — frequency is often once daily or less.

Sheffield is compact enough to explore entirely on foot. The main mural walk takes 1–2 hours at a leisurely pace, covering a grid of streets centred on Main Street and the roundabout at High Street. Most murals, cafés, the visitor centre and the museum are within a 500 m radius.

There is no local public transport, taxi service, or ride-hailing within the town. You will need a car for day trips to Cradle Mountain, Mount Roland, Railton, or the coast. Fuel is available at the Sheffield Roadhouse — prices are roughly on par with the rest of north-west Tasmania (around A$1.70–2.00 per litre for unleaded as of mid-2026).

Walking up to the Mount Roland trailhead from town is possible (about 6 km to the start of the walking track via Claude Road) but most people drive to the car park at the base.

• Mural Walk — more than 140 murals across town, best explored via the free printed map from the Visitor Centre (Main Street). Highlights include the enormous "Old Time Rock and Roll" panorama on the old IGA wall, the "Slater's Locomotive" at the roundabout, and the whimsical children's mural at the primary school. New murals are added each year during Mural Fest.

• Kentish Museum, 49 Main Street. Local history from Aboriginal heritage through pioneering, farming, the railway era and the hydroelectric schemes. Model railway display. Open Wed–Sun 10 AM–3 PM; gold coin donation.

• Sheffield Heritage Walk — self-guided trail (brochure from Visitor Centre) covering 25 historic buildings and sites, including the 1876 Sheffield Hotel, the old courthouse, and several original settler cottages.

• Tasmazia & the Village of Lower Crackpot, 500 Staverton Road, Promised Land (15 min south). One of the world's largest maze complexes, with eight mazes, a model village and a lavender farm. Open daily 10 AM–4 PM; adult A$28, child A$15.

• Railton Topiary, 10 km north on the B14. The entire town has more than 100 topiary figures — animals, people, and characters — sculpted from living hedge plants. Free, self-guided walk along the main street.

• Mount Roland (1,234 m). The mountain dominates every view in town. The walking track to the summit (Grade 4, 5–7 hours return) starts from Claude Road car park and climbs through eucalypt forest to exposed quartzite ridges with 360° views of Cradle Mountain, the Bass Strait coast, and the Central Highlands. Best attempted November–April; take warm layers and rain gear even in summer.

• Lake Barrington, 20 min west. A hydroelectric reservoir used for rowing (it hosted the 1990 World Rowing Championships). Picnic areas, swimming in summer, and a 2.5 km nature trail.

• Walk the Mural Trail — allow a full morning. The Visitor Centre sells an artist's commentary booklet for A$5 that adds colour to each piece.

• Mural Fest (late April / early May) — the annual highlight. Artists from around Australia and the world compete over several days to produce new murals, judged by public vote. Live music, market stalls, and street food accompany the event. Plan to arrive early; parking fills up on the main weekend.

• Cradle Mountain day trip — Sheffield is the closest sizeable town to the park's northern entrance. Drive 1 hr south-west for the Dove Lake Circuit (6 km, 2–3 hours, boardwalk). Park entry is A$40/vehicle (24-hour Parks Pass) or buy a Holiday Pass for A$80 covering all Tasmanian national parks for up to 8 weeks.

• Mount Roland summit walk — a challenging but rewarding day hike with some of the best alpine views in northern Tasmania. Start early; the top is exposed to weather.

• Fly fishing — the nearby Mersey and Forth rivers are renowned for wild brown trout. Guided half-day trips from Sheffield operators cost around A$300–400; licences are required (purchase via the Inland Fisheries Service website).

• Cycling — quiet country roads around the Kentish municipality make for pleasant road cycling. The Railton–Sheffield section of the Cradle to Coast trail (under development) will eventually link Sheffield to the coast on a dedicated cycling path.

• Hellyers Road Distillery — Burnie-based (45 min drive) but widely available in Sheffield bottle shops and bars; the closest whisky tasting in the north-west.

• Stargazing — minimal light pollution in the Kentish municipality. On clear winter nights (May–August) the southern Milky Way, Magellanic Clouds, and occasionally the aurora australis are visible.

Sheffield is a small town and dining is modest but honest. Most visitors eat at one of the cafés along Main Street.

• Sheffield Café & Gallery, Main Street — breakfasts, pies, coffee and cakes in a mural-adorned building. Mains A$12–22. Open daily 7 AM–4 PM.
• Fagus, Main Street — the town's better dining option; seasonal Tasmanian produce, local trout, and wallaby on the menu. Mains A$28–40. Open Thu–Mon for lunch and dinner; book ahead on weekends.
• Railway Café, Main Street — good coffee, toasted sandwiches, and the ubiquitous Tasmanian scallop pie. Under A$15. Open 8 AM–3 PM.
• Sheffield Hotel, Main Street — classic country pub with a bistro serving steaks, parmas and fish and chips. Mains A$20–32. Open daily for lunch and dinner.
• Tasmazia Pancake Barn, at Tasmazia complex — sweet and savoury crêpes and pancakes, a hit with families. Around A$15–22. Open 10 AM–3:30 PM.

Tasmanian specialties to look for: scallop pies (a regional icon — curried scallops in puff pastry), leatherwood honey (uniquely Tasmanian), local farmhouse cheeses, and craft cider. Vegetarian options are available at most cafés. Halal and gluten-free are harder to find in rural Tasmania — ask when ordering.

Sheffield has one pub — the Sheffield Hotel (est. 1876) — with a front bar serving Cascade, Boag's and a rotating selection of Tasmanian craft beers (Moo Brew, Van Dieman, Last Rites). A pint is around A$9–12.

Cafés serve good espresso coffee — Tasmanians take their coffee seriously, and Sheffield is no exception. Fagus and the Sheffield Café & Gallery both use locally roasted beans.

For a broader drinks scene, Devonport (30 min) and Latrobe (15 min) have more bars and bottle shops. Hellyers Road single malt, Lark, and Sullivans Cove are the Tasmanian whiskies worth trying; ask for them at any bar.

Water from the tap is safe to drink throughout Tasmania — it is unchlorinated and excellent quality in most towns, sourced from protected catchments.

Sheffield is small and accommodation options are limited — book ahead in summer and during Mural Fest.

• Budget: Sheffield Backpackers / hostel-style accommodation on or near Main Street — expect A$30–40/night for a dorm bed. Limited options; confirm availability before arriving, as not all operate year-round.
• Mid-range: Sheffield Motor Inn (Main Street) — clean, modern motel rooms with mountain views. A$120–160/night for a double. Walking distance to everything. Gateway Hotel Sheffield — another solid option on the edge of town; restaurant on site. A$110–150/night.
• Upscale / heritage: Wilmot Hills (Wilmot Road, 15 min south-west) — boutique country retreat with valley views, fireplaces, and gourmet breakfasts. A$250–350/night. Rosevears Estate is further away (near Launceston) but the nearest upscale vineyard-stay option if combining Sheffield with the Tamar Valley.

Sheffield's shopping is limited but charming. The Sheffield Gift Gallery and several small shops along Main Street sell prints and postcards of the murals, Tasmanian timber craft (Huon pine and blackwood), leatherwood honey, lavender products from Tasmazia, and locally made ceramics and jewellery. The Visitor Centre stocks topographic maps and walking guides.

Tasmania has no sales-tax-free shopping for tourists — prices are fixed and bargaining is not customary anywhere in Australia.

For serious grocery shopping, Latrobe (15 min north) and Devonport have full Woolworths, Coles and Aldi supermarkets. Sheffield has a small general store with basics.

• Cradle Mountain–Lake St Clair National Park — 80 km / 1 hr south-west. Tasmania's most iconic alpine landscape and the Overland Track. A full day or multi-day trip.
• Devonport — 30 km / 25 min north. The Spirit of Tasmania ferry terminal, Bass Strait Maritime Museum, and the Home Hill (the Lyons family prime-ministerial house). A useful hub for supplies and transport.
• Railton — 10 km / 10 min north. The topiary town; a 30-minute stroll.
• Latrobe — 20 km / 20 min north. Antique shops, the Axeman's Hall of Fame, and the platypus pools at Warrawee Reserve (best seen at dawn or dusk).
• Leven Canyon — 40 km / 35 min west. A dramatic river gorge with a short walking track to lookout platforms; one of the north-west's hidden gems.
• Burnie — 60 km / 45 min north-west. Coastal city with the Makers' Workshop, Hellyers Road Distillery, and the closest large-town services (hospitals, major retail).