Scottsdale is
a town in the north-east of Tasmania, Australia. It lies on
the Tasman Highway, around 63 kilometres north-east of Launceston
and 22 km south-east of the coastal town of Bridport.
Scottsdale
was named after explorer James Scott who extensively explored
the region in the mid 19th century who described as, "the
best soil on the island ... well watered, with a mild climate"
.
It must also
be recognised that twenty years before, in the months between
October 1830 and October 1831,the Scottsdale area had been
visited by another European explorer.
George Augustus Robinson, like Scott, was an excellent bushman
capable of living in the inhospitable bush. He was also a
man of courage, stamina and perseverance. James Scott was
a surveyor, bushman.
The early pioneers
migrating from Scotland, England and Ireland often arrived
together on the same ship and first settled in the Longford
district before coming to the North East armed with very little
more than faith. Their courage and resource, together with
the rich chocolate soils and luxuriant forest laid the foundations
of Scottsdale's prosperity. Self reliance was encouraged by
the barrier of the sidling ensuring resourcefulness, ingenuity
and inventiveness and fostering independence.
Just west of
Scottsdale, Nabowla is famous worldwide for its lavender.
Visit the Bridestowe Estate Lavender Farm which produces the
finest quality lavender flowers and lavender oil. The rolling
lavender fields are a spectacular sight during flowering in
December and January.
Scottsdale offers
visitors facilities including a 9 hole golf course, bowls,
a heated swimming pool and large recreation ground used by
a variety of sporting clubs.
The Forest EcoCentre
is a focus for forest-based tourism and recreation activities
in the North-East and acts to inspire visitors to explore
and enjoy the diverse forest types of the region. The distinctive
shape of the Forest EcoCentre creates an environment designed
for maximum energy efficiency.
One of the most exciting features of the attraction is the
greenhouse-style interpretive centre on the ground floor,
featuring species from the major forest communities of North-East
Tasmania.
Additional interactive interpretive displays focusing on local
forest history and the hardwood and softwood plantations that
are so important to the economy of the North-East is also
a major feature of the centre.
Spectacular lookouts are to be found at many points along
the road from Launceston to Scottsdale, with particularly
fantastic views to be had from the Sidling Lookout, 16 kilometres
west of Scottsdale. You will find the stunning beauty of Cuckoo
Falls south east of Scottsdale, near Tonganah.