23043 Bass Highway

The house is situated on the Bass Highway in Smithton, a town on the far north‑west coast of Tasmania. Smithton lies about 85 km north‑west of Burnie.

Smithton experiences a Mediterranean‑influenced oceanic climate with mild, relatively dry summers and cool, wet winters. Average summer highs are around 22 °C and winter lows can drop to about 4.7 °C.

The local economy is centred on agriculture, including dairy and beef farming, as well as fishing, aquaculture, timber and tourism. Major employers include Greenham Tasmania’s meat plant, McCain Foods’ potato processing facility, and timber mills operated by Britton Bros and Ta Ann Tasmania.

Smithton hosts the Duck River Pavilion, a cultural heritage centre that displays local artefacts and history. The town also has a public hospital and various retail and service amenities typical of a regional centre.

Yes, Smithton was one of the three Tasmanian towns selected for the National Broadband Network trial, with the first customers connected in August 2010, providing modern broadband services.

At the 2021 census, Smithton had a population of 3,934 residents, making it the administrative centre of the Circular Head Council.

Historically, Smithton was served by the Marrawah Tramway (from 1913) and several railway lines connecting to Irishtown, Myalla and Wiltshire Junction, which linked the town to the state railway system.

Yes, Smithton is the birthplace of comedian Hannah Gadsby and Enid Lyons, the first woman elected to the Australian House of Representatives, among other notable residents.