Sheffield

The first mural went up in 1986. This was the beginning of a huge turnaround for the tiny town of Sheffield, tucked between Tasmania’s iconic Mount Roland, verdant valleys, and the rolling farmland of the country’s food belt. In its previous lifetimes, the rural hamlet was defined by mining, potato exports, and an industrial hydroelectricity scheme. But once the first outdoor painting went up, more trickled in. Over the years, artists took to the streets, crafting wood carvings, pottery, fine art paintings, photography, and more within studios open to the public. Sheffield completely transformed and now is known as the “Town of Murals.”

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These days, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a downtown building—whether a café, hardware shop, or repurposed flour mill—without a large-scale piece of art. More than 160 beautifully painted walls depict various scenes, from blacksmithing to dinosaurs. There’s also a designated Mural Park which hosts the annual Mural Fest. Every November since 2003, a selected group of nine artists are invited to compete in the year’s theme. 

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The murals bleed seamlessly into the surrounding landscape and Mother Nature’s colorful palette. There are miles of hiking paths around the area’s many waterfalls, world-class mountain biking trails, and a strenuous climb up the 4,000-foot tall Mount Roland. Lake Barrington is also a peaceful destination for fishing, boating, or just a stroll around shore.