Scottsdale (including Nabowla)
Largest township between Launceston and the eastern coast
Located 63 km east of Launceston and 200 metres above sea level, Scottsdale is the major township in the mountains between Launceston and the east coast. Surrounded by hills, it is very much a timber town. The Forestry Commission has large offices in town. There is also mixed farming in the surrounding district.

The first Europeans into the area were Janet and Andrew Anderson who took up the 'Barnbougle' holding near Bridport in 1833. Two years later Peter Brewer took up land at 'Bowood' where he built a home in 1839. It is oldest building in the district although it is not open to the public.

It wasn't until 1852 that the area began to develop. The Government Surveyor, James Scott (after whom the town is named), tried unsuccessfully to cut a bridle track from St Patrick's River to Cape Portland and, passing through the area he noted that it had 'the best soil in the island'. The area around present-day Scottsdale was surveyed in 1858-59 and named 'Scotts New Country'. It was settled predominantly by Scottish and English settlers and by 1868 a visitors was recording that the township had 'numerous cosy neat cottages with their fruit and flower gardens in the front ... There are five or six hundred inhabitants ... There is yet neither police station nor public house, but the people appear to get on harmoniously enough without them.'

The Doll and Bear Cottage of Scottsdale is one of the main attractions in the town.  Visiting The Doll and Bear Cottage will be a highlight of your holiday in Tasmania.

Owners George and Margaret have been collecting dolls and bears for over 20 years and have an amazing collection with over 300 dolls and bears on display.  Each one is a collector's item with their own unique and individual story.

The collection features original artist dolls and bears from around the world with childhood memorabilia and antiques.

Australis's largest collection of award winning artist dolls by Still Life.

The Doll and Bear Cottage is set in the grounds of "Omar", a beautiful Classic Queen Anne Federation home classified by the National Trust of Tasmania.

Home of "Dougall" the bear who was born in South Australia and has visited Antarctica three times, making it his home for twelve months.

To see Dougall and hundreds of other fascinating characters like him, visit The Doll and Bear Cottage right in the centre of town at 52 King Street Scottsdale.