The Huon Valley, nestled in the southern region of Tasmania, is a remarkable place to call home for a multitude of reasons. Its breathtaking natural beauty is a primary draw, with pristine rivers, dense forests, and rolling hills that provide an idyllic backdrop for residents. The region is renowned for its abundant orchards and vineyards, making it a haven for food and wine enthusiasts. Moreover, the tight-knit community of the Huon Valley is known for its warm and welcoming spirit, creating a sense of belonging for newcomers and long-time residents alike. The region’s slower pace of life fosters a strong sense of work-life balance, allowing residents to enjoy both the benefits of rural living and easy access to the cultural amenities of nearby Hobart, making it an ideal place for those who seek a peaceful yet vibrant lifestyle.
Additionally, the Huon Valley’s commitment to sustainability and environmental conservation is notable. The community places a strong emphasis on preserving its natural surroundings, promoting eco-friendly practices, and supporting local agriculture. This eco-conscious mindset extends to the burgeoning eco-tourism industry in the area, offering ample opportunities for nature enthusiasts and entrepreneurs alike. The Huon Valley truly offers the best of both worlds, combining a serene, natural environment with a thriving cultural and culinary scene. It’s a place where one can live in harmony with nature, relish in the benefits of a close-knit community, and enjoy a unique blend of rural and urban experiences, making it an exceptional place to call home.
Follow our story, visit Tasmania’s Huon Valley website as we celebrate our people and place, foster a sense of pride in our Valley, and inspire others to live, work and contribute to our community. Discover why the Huon Valley is the best place to live in Tasmania.
Huon Valley Destinations
Discover The Huon Valley, Southern Tasmania (huonvalleytas.com)
Huonville
Huonville is the Huon Valley’s largest town, situated on the banks of the beautiful reflective Huon River, approximately 35 kilometres (30-minute drive) south of Tasmania’s capital city of Hobart.
The town is surrounded by farmland, apple orchards and stunning mountains such as Sleeping Beauty. The stunning Esplanade is a popular place for locals and visitors – with barbecue facilities, a rotunda, viewing platforms, boat slip and an all ages-playground.
In the town centre, you will find plenty of cafes, gift shops, a post office, petrol stations, a major supermarket, banks, a library, doctors and other services in the town.
Within walking distance of the town centre you will find a range of recreational facilities including netball and tennis courts, skate park and half-court basketball, football and soccer fields, a dog walking area, the local PCYC and an Olympic sized open air swimming pool.
Visit Huonville in the Huon Valley.
Cygnet
Cygnet is a popular Huon Valley small country town well known for its creative community and beautiful scenic location in the sheltered Port Cygnet Bay.
Situated just 15 minutes from Huonville or 50 minutes from Hobart following D’Entrecasteaux Channel around, either way you will enjoy the scenic drive in this picturesque area.
Cygnet is popular among artists, musicians and those looking for an alternative lifestyle. It offers several craft shops, art studios and galleries, and a wide range of cafes.
Burtons Reserve on the water at the southern end of Cygnet is a great spot for a walk, picnic or visit to the playground, which includes a skate park.
Visit Cygnet in the Huon Valley.
Franklin and Port Huon
You will find the beautiful and historic town of Franklin only a further 10 minutes drive south of Huonville on the banks of the Huon River.
The town was named after Sir John Franklin and his wife Lady Jane Franklin who were one of its first settlers. Until the 1930s, Franklin was a thriving town known for its shipping, farming and apple orchards. Today you can visit the Tasmanian Wooden Boat Centre, be in awe at the quality marine vessels adorning the riverbank, sit down for a meal or beverage at one of its many restaurants and cafes, or peruse one of its antiques, galleries and gift shops.
Just another 5 minutes’ drive alongside the Huon River, you will find Port Huon, a small community with big, sweeping views of the Huon River and Hartz Mountains.
Port Huon was once a busy trading port and the destination for international apple boats that transported and exported the region’s famous apples to the world. The original port remains and is now a hive of activity supporting local aquaculture companies and their southern based activities.
Visit Franklin and Port Huon in the Huon Valley.
Geeveston
Geeveston (25 minutes’ drive south of Huonville – one hour from Hobart) is the gateway town into the southern forests. Made famous as the location of the filming of the television series Rosehaven, Geeveston is en route to the Tahune Airwalk and the Hartz Mountain National Park.
This small timber town is named after the Geeves family. The main street features a collection of hand-carved wooden statues of local identities, each with a plaque explaining their personal stories. The town is also bordered by Heritage Park. A favourite of locals far and wide, the parkland provides barbecue facilities, toilets, an all-ages adventure playground, skate park and educational bike track.
Along the main street you will find a local bakery, coffee shops, food outlets, and sweets, craft and gift shops. The Geeveston Town Hall offers a great social and community space, servicing both locals and visitors and showcasing local artists and product.
Visit Geeveston in the Huon Valley.
Dover
Situated in Huon Valley’s far south at the head of Port Esperance, Dover is a beautiful fishing village. The town offers excellent views across the bay to the islands of Faith, Hope and Charity; with the imposing Adamsons Peak in the background.
The town has become an important fishing port and is home to some of the largest Atlantic salmon farms.
Dover is a great place to stock up on supplies if heading further south. The town centre features a supermarket, petrol station, post office, pharmacy, hardware, bank, online access centre, restaurants and take away shops.
Kent Beach is a popular beach destination for many locals, and is linked by a foreshore trail and playground facilities.
New residents
Congratulations on your decision to settle in the Huon Valley. On behalf of the Huon Valley Council and the community, we have great pleasure in welcoming you and your family to our vibrant community.
The natural beauty of the Huon Valley is augmented by a rich cultural heritage and our outstanding events such as A Taste of the Huon, the Cygnet Folk Festival and the Huon Valley Mid-Winter Festival. Each township is special, and has a unique identity and history, and something special to offer every new resident to the Valley.
Your move to the Huon Valley ensures you will become part of our history, our future and our community.
Find out more about:
Additional information to help you settle in:
- Notify the electoral office of your new address
- Register your dog
- Visit a local sports centre
- Join a local library
- Learn about land management in the Huon Valley
- Join a local landcare group
Feel free to drop into Council’s Customer Service Centre at 40 Main Street, Huonville, or the Huon Valley Hub at 23 Main Street, Huonville, for further information and assistance.
Welcome again to our community. We believe you have made a wise choice in selecting our community as your new home.
Work in the Huon Valley
The Huon Valley has a number of large employers including the Huon Valley Council (visit our Employment page), Huon Aquaculture, Tassal, Sustainable Timber Tasmania, Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service, Huon Regional Aged Care Services, and Neville Smith Forest Products.
Large and small fruit growers and orchardists are also major seasonal employers in the Huon Valley. Some of these include Reid Fruits, Hansen Orchards, Lucaston Park Orchards, Tru-Blu Berries and DM Jennings & Sons. To register interest for seasonal work, please visit the Harvest Trail site for details.
There are local employment hubs and noticeboards including Huon Valley Works and Get Picking.
If you are an entrepreneur or keen to start your own micro/small business, there is local help available through the Kingborough and Huon Business Enterprise Centre.
Our close proximity to Kingston and Hobart also means there are more employment opportunities outside of the Valley, too.
Huon Valley business and community directory
Our local directory helps you to find and support businesses closest to you. It covers all types of businesses and community services such as schools, medical practitioners and tradespeople. Visit Tasmania’s Huon Valley website.
If you are a Huon Valley business, service or community group, you can register for a free listing on the local directory.
Support local Huon Valley
The Huon Valley has a wide range of large and small innovative food and beverage producers, a thriving artistic community, unique and wonderful local events, timber and quality bespoke products, and experiences.
The Huon Valley has an amazing community of growers of produce but also home vegetable and fruit gardeners who are happy to share their bountiful excess in a farm gate stall for very affordable prices.
Almost every weekend, the Valley comes together to celebrate its bounty at a local produce market. Markets held at Huonville, Cygnet, Franklin and Judbury are hugely popular. Browse markets
Learn more about our Huon Valley makers and growers, visit Tasmania’s Huon Valley website.
Celebrating our Huon Valley stories and people
The people of the Huon Valley live here because the place is special to them. See for yourself why some have been drawn here from other parts of the world, and learn more about those who’ve been custodians of this place for more than forty thousand years.
The people at the heart of the Huon Valley are called Huon Beings.
Huon Beings is a documentary series that captures the diverse stories of life among people living in the Huon Valley. There’s a sense of possibility and simplicity in this region. Little wonder that people come to southern Tasmania to find a place where they can breathe, where they can create, and where they can feel a part of the natural world, while finding their people, their community.
Visit the Huon Valley website for more Stories from the Valley.