BeachQuartzArcticLight
A ustertana is a small Arctic village in Tana municipality, where a 13-kilometre beach meets one of the world’s largest quartzite quarries. Nestled along an inner bay of Tanafjorden in the far northeast of Norway, this community of around 200 blends mining heritage with the wild outdoors — under the midnight sun and the northern lights.
How about a day on the beach? You might have to skip the bikini due to the cool weather, but the scenery is something else! Afterwards you might enjoy a beer at the local pub and have a chat with the neighbors.
The beach at Austertana. Photo: Frank Martin Ingelæ
The beach of Austertana is a mighty 13 kilometres long, so it’s for sure a beautiful hike and a great place both for playing and relaxing. It’s also a great are for birdwatchers.
The outdoorsy possibilities are many in Austertana, whether it is hiking, fishing or joining the local sports club. The view from the mountain Stangenestind is also something to explore, wether it’s under the midnight sun or the northern lights. This is the the highest peak of the Varanger Peninsula, which reaches an elevation of 724 meters above sea level.
The landscape around Austertana. Photo: Frank Martin Ingelæ
Considering a move?
Freysta members can explore local job opportunities and connect directly with representatives from the village. Feel free to get in touch whether you’re actively looking or just curious. It is completely free. And ad free.
Become a Freysta member →The village has around 200 inhabitants and is is situated about 30 kilometers north-northeast of the municipal center, Tana bru. There is a kindergarten, a sports club – and a hotel with the earlier mentioned pub (it’s not open at all odd hours, though).
The Elkem Tana quartzite quarry. Photo: Frank Martin Ingelæ
Austertana is home to the world’s second-largest quartzite quarry, run by the Norwegian company Elkem. The mining started all the way back in 1973, and the quartz extracted from Austertana serves as a crucial raw material for Elkem and various industrial clients. Elkem Tana is very much contributing to the manufacturing of for instance silicon, aluminum and ferrosilicon alloys.
Whether it’s the endless beach, the mountain views, or the quietness of a small Arctic community — Austertana is a place where nature and industry exist side by side, far from the ordinary.
Local stories and traditions from Austertana.
Services, activities, and amenities available in Austertana and within a short drive.
Austertana sits on an inner bay of Tanafjorden in Tana municipality, Troms og Finnmark, about 30 kilometres north-northeast of the municipal centre Tana bru. County Road 890 passes through the village — the only road link to Båtsfjord and Berlevåg on the Varanger Peninsula.
Send a message directly to a local village representative — someone who knows the community and can help with your questions.
Sending a message requires a free Freysta membership. Messaging is always free too.
Freysta matches you with villages based on what you’re looking for — jobs, lifestyle, and community.
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Freysta Portal for Members
Freysta shows real job openings from across Norway — each one linked to a specific village. Explore a position and get to know the place around it, all in one view.
Describe what matters to you — nature, services, activities — and Freysta shows you villages that fit. Not a score. A starting point.
Freysta makes it easy to start a direct conversation with participating villages on the platform. Message village representatives, ask questions, and share documents — all in one place. In some cases, villages may also reach out to you if they think you could be a good match.
Dialogue happens when there’s mutual interest — on your terms.
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You choose what matters to you in a place to live, along with your background and job interests. You can add more details later if you want.
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Explore Norwegian villages that fit your preferences, with live updates on job openings in rural areas that match your skills.
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Village representatives and local employers can view your profile and contact you if they think there’s a good match.
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You can start conversations when it feels right
If you want to, you can also contact villages directly through the platform.
Simple, human matchmaking — always free for people who want to move to a Norwegian village.
Answers to common questions about everyday life in Austertana.
Main photo by Frank Martin Ingelæ. Article photography by Frank Martin Ingelæ.
Text by Marion Solheim, journalist and co-founder of Freysta.
