Daniel Butkovich, Property Journalist
First published 14 Oct 2026, 11:58am
An unusual collection of affordable properties has been offered up for sale in a tiny town with a curious history.
Entrepreneurial buyers looking for a bargain are expected to descend on the small town of Poatina, about 60km south of Launceston in Tasmania, with the charity that once owned the entire town putting its last remaining properties on the market.
A charity that once owned the entire town of Poatina in Tasmania is offloading its remaining properties as it divests from the town. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy
A former school , the local swimming pool , a golf course , a large artists studio and an industrial shed have been put up for sale by expressions of interest, marking the end of an era for the quiet mountain village with a population of about 100.
Poatina was established in the late 1950s to house the workers building and operating the nearby hydroelectric power station, which was constructed 150 metres underground, with residents at one stage numbering in the thousands.
The town's golf course has been listed for expressions of interest with a $500,000 price guide. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy
The entire town was sold by Hydro Tasmania in 1995 to Christian charity Fusion, which set about transforming the town into “an intentional community focused on providing services to young people in need,” according to the Fusion website.
But the charity announced last year that it was divesting from the town and selling all residential and non-residential assets.
The nine-hole course includes 18 different tees. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy
Several mid-century homes have been sold for less than $400,000 in the past 12 months, and a few are currently on the market for about $500,000. A motel and service station have also sold.
The most recent properties to hit the market include the town’s golf course, which is offered with a $500,000 price guide through Sam Woolcock of Elders Launceston
The volunteer-run course services the surrounding district. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy
“It’s a nice little course, all volunteer run,” Mr Woolcock said. “They’ve got about 100 members and they’re pretty active. They’d like to stay there if they could.”
A large hangar on a 2-hectare block that operates as an artists’ centre has a $600,000 price guide.
A 330sqm hangar used as an artists studio and workshop has a $600,000 price guide. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy
It’s currently set up for glass blowing, silversmithing and artisanal manufacturing, but Mr Woolcock said conversion to include a residence was a possibility, subject to council approval.
“I can envision an artist or someone creative buying it, running their studio from it and living there,” he said.
The workshop has been used for glass blowing and silversmithing. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy
The former school is listed with a $300,000 price guide. It consists of two 260sqm buildings on a 5497sqm block, located next to the golf course.
The town’s swimming pool complex, which includes three separate pools capturing spectacular views of the surrounding countryside, has a $200,000 price guide.
The town's school has a $300,000 price guide. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy
While it hasn’t been operational for many years, potential redevelopment for tourism purposes remains an option.
“I’d be very surprised if someone reinstates them back to their glory days,” Mr Woolcock said. “I don't think Poatina is known for its swimming weather.”
Tourism ventures could potentially capitalise on the sweeping views from the disused swimming pool complex. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy
“However it's a lovely big block of land, it's got magnificent views and it's fully serviced with electricity and sewage.”
Also for sale with a $100,000 price guide is a 774sqm block featuring a high-clearance shed and equipment storage bay, which Mr Woolcock said would appeal to buyers seeking secure boat storage given the fishing opportunities at nearby lakes.
A property with large shed is on the market with a $100,000 price guide. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy
Mr Woolcock said there already had been a lot of interest in the collection of properties, with buyers enquiring from across the state.
“It's gone nuts,” he said. “Poatina is quite well known in Tassie, and you don’t often get to buy a golf course.”
Help us improve your reading experience
Got a minute? Your feedback will help us build a better experience for you.
