Building in Scottsdale
North-east Tasmania's rural heartland — lavender farms, forest, and the Bay of Fires within an hour, with land that makes a genuinely high-quality build possible.
The Heart of the North-East
Scottsdale is the commercial and service centre of north-east Tasmania — a town of around 2,400 people that sits in a bowl of agricultural and forested land on the Tasman Highway, 63 kilometres north-east of Launceston. It is the largest town between Launceston and the east coast, and it serves a broader region of around 7,000 people spanning farms, forests, and coastal villages from Bridport south to Derby.
The area's identity is agricultural at its core — lavender farms, orchards, beef and dairy farming, timber, and vegetables. The Tasmanian Gourmet Sauce Company is headquartered here. The region's annual lavender festival draws visitors from across the state. It is genuinely, proudly country Tasmania: open space, clear air, and communities where people know each other.
Bridport, 22 kilometres to the north, adds a coastal dimension to the Scottsdale lifestyle — a relaxed beach town with excellent surf, safe swimming, and growing hospitality. The Bay of Fires is under an hour east. Derby, to the north-east, has become one of Australia's most talked-about mountain biking destinations. Scottsdale's position makes it a genuine lifestyle hub, not just an agricultural service town.
Dorset Council has been investing in Scottsdale's future through a 2024–2044 structure planning process and infrastructure investment including a planned 40km rail trail. Residential approvals are steady, and a major retirement village expansion signals growing demand across all life stages.
Why People Choose Scottsdale
Agricultural Heartland
Lavender farms, orchards, dairy and beef grazing — the Scottsdale region is working rural Tasmania at its most authentic. For those who want genuine country living, not a lifestyle block adjacent to suburbia, this is the real thing.
Affordable Residential Land
Scottsdale offers some of the most affordable residential land in north-east Tasmania. The gap between land cost and the quality of home that's possible here is significant — your build budget goes further than almost anywhere else in the region.
Gateway to the Coast and Mountains
Bridport's beaches are 22 minutes north. Derby's world-class mountain bike trails are 30 minutes north-east. The Bay of Fires region is under an hour east. Scottsdale puts you within reach of three of Tasmania's great lifestyle destinations.
Four Real Seasons
Scottsdale experiences warm, dry summers and cool, wet winters — with occasional snow adding drama to the landscape. For those tired of year-round uniformity, the region's genuine seasonal rhythm is part of its appeal.
Growing Infrastructure
Dorset Council's 2024–2044 structure plans, a doubling of the Northbourne Park Retirement Village, and a planned 40km rail trail signal sustained investment in Scottsdale's liveability. This is a town being built for the long term.
Full Service Town
Scottsdale has everything needed for everyday life — supermarkets, schools, a hospital, medical services, and a business precinct — without the complexity or cost of a larger city. The right size for families, retirees, and remote workers alike.
What to Know About Building in Scottsdale
Scottsdale sits within Dorset Council's jurisdiction, operating within the Tasmanian Planning Scheme via the PlanBuild Tasmania portal. Here's what matters when planning a build in the region:
- Scottsdale is in Climate Zone 7 — one of Tasmania's cooler climate zones — meaning high-performance building envelopes are not optional luxuries but practical necessities for year-round comfort and manageable energy bills.
- Dorset Council is actively planning for growth, with a 2024–2044 structure plan for Scottsdale that identifies residential development areas. This is a positive signal for land availability and council responsiveness to residential applications.
- Larger rural and semi-rural blocks may require bore water testing or tank water design — a site-specific consideration our team handles at feasibility stage.
- Winter conditions in Scottsdale can be cold and wet, with occasional snow. Build schedules need to account for weather delays, and we plan construction timelines with this in mind.
- Trades for north-east Tasmania are typically based in Launceston (a 75-minute drive), which we factor into trade scheduling and subcontractor management from the outset.
- Dorset Council offers free home energy audit resources for residents, reflecting a regional focus on sustainability — well-aligned with Davies's high-performance construction approach.
From our Sheffield base, Scottsdale is around 90 minutes via the Tasman Highway — a manageable distance for the design process and site visits, with local trades engaged for construction phases. We've built in rural north-eastern Tasmania and understand what it takes.
Davies Projects in Northern Tasmania
Our portfolio demonstrates the range of what's possible across northern Tasmania — from coastal retreats to rural homesteads and high-performance family homes.
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