Huon Valley, Tasmania

Why it ranks

The best food/water/hydro combination anywhere, Australia's rule of law, apple‑and‑salmon country.

What drags it down

Bushfire (2013, 2019), price, FIRB, 30 hours from Paris.

Water

Catchments drain the Hartz Mountains and Southwest wilderness. The North‑West, by contrast, has Savage River iron mine, dairy nutrient load and Mt Lyell's acid legacy to its west.

Land prices

$8–12k (≈20–30 ac)

Lifestyle blocks ~$8–12k/acre; farmland median ~A$14k/ha. North‑west Tasmania is far dearer (~A$28,800/ha). $250k ≈ 20–30 acres.

Hospital

Hobart (Royal Hobart) 45–60 min.

Buying as a US citizen

Foreigners are banned from established dwellings until 30 June 2029 but can apply for vacant land with FIRB approval and a build condition; Tasmania adds a 2% land‑tax surcharge on foreign‑owned residential land.

Surf

+4: Cloudy Bay (Bruny), Clifton, the east coast — cold water.

The numbers behind the score