For much of the year, life in Deloraine, a beautiful heritage listed rural town of about 2000 residents between Launceston and Devonport, continues at a normal pace. When the winter chill changes to summer warmth in November, Deloraine suddenly finds itself flooded with visitors who come for the annual Tasmanian Craft Fair, the largest working craft fair in Australia. Then they discover that the fair is just one of Deloraine's attractions.
The local Rotary Club of Deloraine organised the inaugural craft fair in 1981. For the first few years, it went by the more long winded, but descriptive title, the Tasmanian Cottage Industry Exhibition and Craft Fair. That first year, a "crowd" of 3000 attended the event and it was considered a big success. In recent years, the number of attendees has swelled to over 30,000 and there are no signs of its slowing down. The 2011 Tasmanian Craft Fair, held between November 4 and 7 is going to include 240 exhibitors and is expected to draw record numbers.
Deloraine is an ideal setting for a craft fair. With so many creative and talented people living in the town, it is little wonder that even the first, locally advertised event was such a success. . There is something poetic about the town, which may help explain why its name comes from a poem by Sir Walter Scott, The Lay of the Last Minstrel. First explored in 1823 by Captain Rowland and settled shortly thereafter, Deloraine's first claim to fame was when it was linked by rail to Launceston in 1873, making it part of Tasmania's first railway line.
If you had to sum up the lifestyle in Deloraine in a single word, it would be ‘healthy.' The healthy lifestyle is reflected in one of the community's most successful businesses. 41 Degrees South is a family run business located in a bushland setting. The company raises organic salmon and ginseng. They make use of the surrounding wetland in their fishery without damaging the sensitive environment in any way. So successful has this enterprise been in preserving the environment, the family offers tours of the facilities and surrounding wetlands that include viewings of the many native species that live alondside them, including platypus and a number of indigenous bird species.
41 Degrees South is just one local business that lives in harmony with its surroundings. Others include two honey farms, a renowned Tasmanian cheese factory and a raspberry farm where you can enjoy fresh raspberries and cream. In fact, in just about any restaurant you go to in Deloraine, you will enjoy fresh food from Deloraine and the surrounding countryside. Your meal will be just the first of your pleasant experiences in the charming heritage village of Deloraine. Afterwards, you will enjoy wandering through the town's wonderful antique shops and galleries.
If you want to attend the Tasmanian Craft Fair, book your Deloraine accommodation in advance, to avoid disappointment. Allow yourself the luxury of a few days in Deloraine after the crowds have gone. After the excitement of the fair, you'll love having some time to get to know the town at your leisure.
Need a break away, find <a target="_new" href="http://www.bookitnow.com.au/accommodation/tas/launceston-tamar-north/deloraine/1/">Deloraine accommodation accommodations</a>, things to do and other travel related information about the area on <a target="_new" href="http://www.bookitnow.com.au/">'Book it Now'</a>.
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