Scottsdale, Tasmania

Scottsdale
Tasmania

Scottsdale, from North Scottsdale; Mount Barrow can be seen in the background

Scottsdale

Coordinates

41°10′S 147°31′E / 41.167°S 147.517°ECoordinates: 41°10′S 147°31′E / 41.167°S 147.517°E

Population

2,461 (2011 census)

Postcode(s)

7260

Elevation

198 m (650 ft)

Location

22 km (14 mi) from Bridport
63 km (39 mi) from Launceston
89 km (55 mi) from St Helens
252 km (157 mi) from Hobart

Mean max temp	Mean min temp	Annual rainfall
17.3 °C ^{63 °F}	7.1 °C ^{45 °F}	987.1 mm ^{38.9 in}

Scottsdale is a town in the north-east of Tasmania, Australia. It lies on the Tasman Highway, around 63 kilometres (39 mi) north-east of Launceston and 22 km (14 mi) south-east of the coastal town of Bridport. It is part of the Dorset Council.

The area was first surveyed in 1855 and was described as, "the best soil on the island ... well watered, with a mild climate" by surveyor James Scott, for whom the town is named. This rings true today as the town, as well as being the regional centre for other north-east towns, is a major agricultural centre.

Ellesmere Post Office opened on 29 November 1865 and was renamed Scottsdale in 1893.

Potato farming, dairy farming, pine plantations, poppy cultivation and mining are all major industries in the area. Hops were previously an important crop, however large hop farms have over the last few years been sold and/or turned into dairy farms and eucalypt and pine plantations.

The setting of the town, surrounded by green fields and blue mountains, as well as increasing infrastructure and improved promotion for visitors, is giving the local tourism industry a boost. The Barnbougle Dunes and Lost Farm Golf Links and the Bridestowe Estate Lavender Farm are key local attractions.

Since 1958 Scottsdale has been the location of the Defence Nutrition Research Centre and its predecessor laboratories and production facilities. In 2014 these were redeveloped by the Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO).

The Forest EcoCentre, operated by Forestry Tasmania, was built in Scottsdale in the late 1990s, as an educational visitor centre designed to inform the public about the forestry industry in Tasmania. The Visitor Centre has since closed.

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Wikipedia