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Voykit pocket guide · Australia
Deloraine
Stay one night in Deloraine as a base for Mole Creek caves and Cradle Mountain, or skip it if you are driving straight through on the Bass Highway.
Deloraine is a small Meander Valley town on the Bass Highway between Launceston and Devonport, and the turn-off for the B12 to Mole Creek and the A5 to the Highland Lakes. There is little to see in town itself, but the location makes it a practical overnight stop for Cradle Mountain, Mole Creek Karst and the Great Western Tiers. Most travellers spend one night here, or use it as a lunch and fuel stop.
- Country
- Australia
- Best months
- Nov–Apr
- Avoid
- Jun–Aug (cold, wet, snow on high roads)
- Stay
- 1 night
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- AUD
- Money
- Currency is the Australian dollar (AUD, A$). Contactless cards and phones are accepted almost everywhere, including public transport in the big cities; some small cafes are card-only.
- Daily spend
- Budget A$90–140 excl. bed · Mid A$150–230 excl. bed · High A$250+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Telstra has the widest outback coverage; Optus and Vodafone (TPG) are cheaper and fine in cities and along highways.
- Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance 000 · From mobiles 112 · Road conditions (Tasmania) 131 444
- Plugs
- Types I · 230 V · 50 Hz · Angled two- or three-pin Type I, shared with NZ, Fiji and China; sockets have their own switch — turn it on.
- Tipping
- Cafés and casual meals: Nothing; a tip jar is optional.; Restaurants: Not expected; 10% for very good service in a nice restaurant if you wish.; Taxi / rideshare: Round up or nothing.; Tours and guides: Optional; A$10–20 for a great day guide.; Surcharges: Weekend and public-holiday surcharges of 10–15% are legal if shown on the menu.
- Water
- Tap water is safe in cities and towns; in remote places use signed drinking taps. Carry plenty on any outback drive or walk.
- Toilets
- Free public toilets in parks, beaches, shopping centres and petrol stations (servos); the National Public Toilet Map app lists them.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Coffee | A$4–6 |
| Café breakfast or lunch | A$15–28 |
| Pub counter meal | A$22–35 |
| Mole Creek cave tour | A$20–30 |
| Fuel, per litre | A$1.80–2.10 |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | A$20–40 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- LST · Launceston Airport
- About 50 km (31 mi) east via the Bass Highway; the closest airport.About 31 mi (50 km) east via the Bass Highway; the closest airport.
- DPO · Devonport Airport
- About 50 km (31 mi) west; serves the Spirit of Tasmania ferry terminal.About 31 mi (50 km) west; serves the Spirit of Tasmania ferry terminal.
Typical fares
- Launceston Airport → Deloraine, taxi
- about A$130–170, about 50 min (check)
- Deloraine → Mole Creek, drive
- about 30 min, 30 km (19 mi) (check)about 30 min, 19 mi (30 km) (check)
- Deloraine → Cradle Mountain, drive
- about 1.5–2 h, 100 km (62 mi) (check)about 1.5–2 h, 62 mi (100 km) (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
A car is effectively required: the town is small and walkable, but Cradle Mountain, Mole Creek and the raspberry farm are all a drive away. The Bass Highway is a two-lane freeway from Launceston; the Devonport side is not a freeway but still allows 110 km/h (68 mph). Fuel up in Deloraine before heading south on the B12 or A5.A car is effectively required: the town is small and walkable, but Cradle Mountain, Mole Creek and the raspberry farm are all a drive away. The Bass Highway is a two-lane freeway from Launceston; the Devonport side is not a freeway but still allows 68 mph (110 km/h). Fuel up in Deloraine before heading south on the B12 or A5.
See and do
Known for
- Gateway to Cradle Mountain and Mole Creek
- Great Western Tiers Visitor Centre
- Christmas Hills Raspberry Farm
- Big Coffee Pot roadside attraction
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Mole Creek Karst National Park | Drive the B12 south, about 30 min | About 45 min |
| Cradle Mountain | Drive the B12 to the A5, then Cradle Mountain Road | About 1.5–2 h |
| Christmas Hills Raspberry Farm | Drive west on the Bass Highway, about 10 min | About 15 min |
| Launceston | Bass Highway east, about 45 min | About 50 min |
Sleep
- Emu Bay Road (town centre)
- Walkable to the visitor centre, deli and hotel; best for one night without a car shuffle.
- B12 / Mole Creek Road edge
- Motels and farm stays on the highway approach; convenient if you are heading to Mole Creek early.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Thank you | Thank you |
| Where is the petrol station? | Where is the petrol station? |
| Can I pay by card? | Can I pay by card? |
| Is the road open? | Is the road open? |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Handshake or 'G'day' / 'How are you going?'; first names from the start; avoid: Formal titles; long answers to 'how are you'
- Rounds: Buy your round ('shout') when drinking in a group; avoid: Leaving before your shout
- Queues: Queue patiently; sitting in the front seat of a taxi when alone is common; avoid: Pushing in — it is noticed
- Country: Listen to Welcomes and Acknowledgements; use local place names when offered; avoid: Touching artefacts or photographing ceremonies without permission
- Beach: Swim between the flags; respect lifesavers' instructions; avoid: Swimming at unpatrolled beaches alone
- Humour: Expect teasing and understatement; laugh along; avoid: Taking dry sarcasm literally or boasting
- Walking and driving: Keep left on footpaths and escalators; wave thanks to drivers who let you in; avoid: Stopping on the road to photograph kangaroos
Scams and watch-outs
- Highland Lakes Road (A5) and Mole Creek Road (B12) can close or ice over in winter: check road conditions before you commit.
- Wildlife on the road at dawn and dusk: slow down and watch for wombats and wallabies.
- Many cafés and the visitor centre close by late afternoon; plan dinner before 8pm.
- Mobile coverage is patchy once you leave the highway towards Cradle Mountain.
Deloraine is a small, low-crime country town and safe for tourists. The real risks are wildlife on the road at dawn and dusk, winter ice on the Highland Lakes and Mole Creek roads, and long distances to fuel or help once you leave the highway.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Deloraine yet. Suggested stay: 1 night. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Gateway to Cradle Mountain and Mole Creek
- Great Western Tiers Visitor Centre
- Christmas Hills Raspberry Farm
- Big Coffee Pot roadside attraction
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Great Western Tiers Visitor Centre: www.greatwesterntiers.net.au/
- Christmas Hills Raspberry Farm Cafe: raspberryfarmcafe.com/
- Deloraine Deli: www.delorainedeli.com.au/
- 41° South Tasmania: www.41southtasmania.com/
- Deloraine Hotel: www.delorainehotel.com.au/
- Wikivoyage: Deloraine, revision 5278594 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5278594
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Deloraine
To this address, please
To this address, please
My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)
No embassies in Deloraine; consulates and embassies are in Hobart and Canberra, and the nearest consular help is in Launceston or Hobart (check).
Voykit · checked 2026-09
Printed from Voykit (/deloraine). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.