Poatina - The Modernist village of Tasmania

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A trip to the village of Poatina, about a 40 minute drive from Launceston is like stepping back in time to the 1950s. The town was originally formed by the Government owned Hydro Tasmania for workers when dam construction was underway.

Since those early days the village has reinvented itself through tourism, and in 1995 Poatina was bought by Fusion Australia an Australian Christian Youth & Community organisation that uses the village for a range of youth and community activities.

Upon entering Poatina the first thing one notices is that all the homes and commercial buildings are constructed of brick and glass. What's fascinating is that they were all built roughly at the same time and therefore in the same 1950s style. It's a fascinating place to walk around and really feel the essence of 1950s design and construction.

The local shopping center,village hall and businesses are all undeniably 1950s in style, even down to the tiles on the floors that are reminiscent of so many buildings of their era and remind me of what used to be in many of the art deco period hospitals. Even the kids outdoor swings and sandpit play equipment haven't changed since the 1950s. It as if time has stood still in Poatina. An intact and fascinating example of well worth visiting.