Towns in Australia

Exploring Australia, town by town

Waddamana TAS

Waddamana

Postcode: 7030

Waddamana is a former ‘hydro-town’ in Tasmania. It is at the foot of the southern side of the Central Plateau of Tasmania. While it flourished with a population of over 100 in the early 1900s when the power plant situated there was being built, its current permanent population stands at four or five. It consists of two decommissioned hydro-electric power stations (see Waddamana power stations), one of which is a museum, and several cottages, most of which are only used by guests. Schools often take their students to Waddamana for camps. It has gained a reputation for its harsh weather – it often snows and icing was a problem when the hydro plants were still in use.

The Tasmanian Aboriginal name waddamana means ‘noisy water’.