When the Van Diemen's Land Company built a road from Deloraine to the north­west coast, Nathanial Kentish, the government surveyor, set out in 1841 to explore the inland regions. The large grassy plain he discovered on his journey is now known as the Kentish Plains. Settlement in the area was slow due to isolation and the lack of roads but by 1877 the village of Sheffield was established. Places with the intriguing names of Paradise, Nowhere Else, Promised Land and Garden of Eden that reflect the feeling the early settlers had for their district, can all be visited in Kentish.

Visitors to Sheffield are attracted to the region's beautiful scenery and to see the town's most interesting feature, a series of 23 murals painted on walls in and around the town. These were created by professional artists and depict scenes from local history. Pioneering memorabilia is housed in the Kentish School Community Museum on Main Street.

The Mersey­Forth Hydro Electric Development Devils Gate Dam has created seven power stations and seven man­made lakes within easy access of Sheffield. The lakes provide magnificent scenery, the best known is Lake Barrington the venue for the World Rowing Championships in 1990.

Sheffield is a gateway to the bushwalks and scenery of the internationally renowned Cradle Mountain - Lake St Clair National Park.

• Events: Daffodil Week The countryside is planted with thousands of daffodils which make a spectacular display and there is a daffodil show on Thursday (week mid­September).
• Name origin: Probably named by Edward Curr, who was the Tasmanian Manager for the Van Diemen's Land Company, after his birthplace in Yorkshire, England.