Sightseeing in Tasmania

Tasmania is an Australian island state. It is located 240 km to the south of the mainland and separated from it by the Bass Strait. It is the 26th largest island in the world and is surrounded by 1000 islands. 

George Town on the Tamar River

Located in northeast Tasmania George Town has a lovely location sitting on the eastern bank of the mouth of the Tamar River. This is Australia’s third-oldest settlement after Sydney and Hobart. The town is surrounded by beautiful vineyards, orchards, berry and lavender farms. George Town is one of the largest towns in the amazing Tamar Valley. It is home to two of Tasmania’s largest industries – Comalco, operating Australia’s oldest aluminum smelter and Temco, producing iron alloy products. Both of these plants are open to the public.

At Low Head, visitors can surf and swim at the beaches and visit a fairy penguin observatory where twilight tours are available and visitors can see the penguins coming out of the sea at this hour.

Take a look at The Watch House at George Town. This is a historic old Gaol site. Here visitors can see displays about the region's rich history. The present building here was built in 1843 and was reopened in 2004 as part of George Town’s Bicentenary of European Settlement. There is an impressive model village so visitors can see what life was like in George Town in the early nineteenth century. The acclaimed Departures and Arrivals display describes the Female Factories and links to the convict experience. Visitors can enter a primitive cell to get an idea of what life was like for prisoners awaiting trial. Changing displays offer a look at the best of Tasmanian Arts and Crafts. In the Community History Room, you can see local information for historians and for those researching their ancestry.

Centrally located in George Town is The Bass and Flinders Centre. Bass and Flinders were explorers who were sent to discover if Tasmania was or was not an island. Today in the center you can see a replica of the sloop “Norfolk” and a replica of a whaleboat known as “Elizabeth”. You can also see two old racing fours and a banana boat surfboard. 

To really get to know Tasmania you must explore its coastline. You can now have access to the coastline along the Kanamaluka Trail. This trail stretches for six kilometers from George Town to Low Head. Along the way, you can take in the beauty of the Tamar Valley, Lagoon Beach, Windmill Point and York Cove. Along this route are also historic buildings, museums, nature reserves and the shopping precinct. You can choose to walk or cycle. 

A most interesting and amazing place is Low Head, bounded by the Tamar River and the Bass Strait, stretching out into the ocean. Visit the lovely Low Head Pilot Station with its impressive white buildings and well-preserved grounds dating back to 1835. Picturesque Low Head Peninsula is located at the mouth of the Tamar River. This is Australia’s oldest pilot station. Here you’ll find a cluster of cottages in a lovely setting with tall Norfolk Island pines and boating facilities.

Here you can also visit Australia’s third oldest light station, the Low Head Lighthouse which replaced the original in 1890. Here is the only operating G-type fog horn in the Southern Hemisphere. The horn sounds off at noon each Sunday. Visitors can also see one of the replica semaphore masts, which relayed messages between Low Head and Launceston until 1858. 

Inside The Pilot Station Maritime Museum, you’ll discover information about shipping on the Tamar River and there is an extensive display of relics from the days of steam and sail. 

Children are encouraged to handle the ship’s helm, operate the engine room’s telegraphs, sound the fog horn, ring the ship’s bell and even send messages in Morse Code. In the boatshed is a collection of small sailing boats. After your visit, you can relax at Coxswain’s Cottage Cafe or enjoy a picnic and go swimming in the old boat harbor or at any of the nearby beaches. 

Stanley in North West Tasmania

Stanley is a lovely town with well-preserved colonial buildings, wonderful cafes and B&B cottages sitting in the shadow of the Nut.

The Nut is a flat-topped, volcanic plug that rises 152 meters straight up from the water’s edge. There is plenty to see in and around the town itself and you can have a real adventure in the nearby Tarkine Wilderness. 

Take the time to explore The Nut Chairlift and State Reserve. For the more energetic you can take the time to climb the Nut or you can take the chairlift up. Once you’ve reached the top the views are breathtaking over the town and Bass Strait. At the top visitors will find a circular walk around the top with specially constructed viewing platforms. If you like you can walk the boardwalk track which is two kilometers long. If strong winds begin to blow you’ll find a sheltered gully from which you can watch the resident wallabies. This is one of the most popular things to do in Stanley.

Visitors delight in visiting Highfield House. This is the original headquarters of Van Diemen’s Land Company and was once the home of Edward Curr, the manager. This homestead sits in a lovely spot overlooking the town. From here you can get wonderful views of rolling farmland, the Nut and of Bass Strait. This property has historical significance and is well-kept. 

Once the home of Tasmania’s only Prime Minister, Joseph Aloysius Lyons it is well worth a visit to Joseph Lyons Cottage. He was born in Stanley in 1879, was a teacher who turned into a politician and was elected State Premier in 1923. He lived in Canberra for a while and returned here and was elected Prime Minister. This cottage has been restored and can be viewed daily. 

The Stanley Discovery Museum and Genealogy Centre has found its home in the Parish Hall of St. Paul’s Church. The Discovery Museum was established in 1973 and is a historic center reflecting Stanley’s past. Visitors can see relics, antiques, memorabilia, photos and documents of the town. It is located on the town’s main street, Church Street. The museum is open daily from September to June and closed during July and August. 

Take one of the fascinating Stanley Seal Cruises offered by Darryl and Heather Stafford aboard the 12-meter “Sylvia C” to get a closer look at the protected Australian fur seal. This is a 75-minute cruise giving visitors spectacular views of the Nut, the town, the old pioneer cemetery and Godfrey’s Beach Bull Rock. This is a non-breeding ground or haul-out, 600 meters offshore. Up to 500 seals can bask in the sun here or frolic in the crystal-clear waters of Bass Strait. 

Children can have fun getting a feel of sea animals in a “touching” pool at the Stanley Sea Aquarium. Here you can pick your own wild oysters at West Inlet Beach or you can do some bird watching. You’ll be supplied with oyster buckets and shucking knives and there is a bird-watching deck, with a scope and bird inventory. 

Inside the Stanley Seaquarium building you can get a fascinating look at Tasmanian sea life. You can see Tasmanian Giant Crabs that can grow to 16 kilos and get a look at the Conger Eel that stretches to six feet long. The Rock Pool has Hermit Crabs in beautiful shells. Visitors here can delight in so much from seahorses to sharks and even lobsters. Take a look at maritime artifacts, shells and ships. 

Don’t pass up the chance to get a look at Tasmania’s Little Penguins or Fairy Penguins. These cute little animals make their home in the northwest region of Tasmania and the best place to see them is the Lillico Beach Conservation Area. There is a free guiding interpretation service all through the breeding season. The reserve is 2.5 kilometers long and has 14 hectares. Lillico Beach is an important wildlife corridor and consists of sand and impressive, polished stones known as shingles. There is a special viewing platform and walkways from which you can view the penguins but not disturb them. These penguins are about 30 cm in height and weigh just a kilo. These are the world’s smallest penguin breed and are known to dive down to 57 meters to get their food. 

Take the time for adventure and explore the Tarkine Wilderness. Just a half hour from Stanley you’ll discover towering eucalypt forests, open plains of button grass and heathland, wonderful rainforests and blackwood swamps. Each year the beehives in these forests produce around 140 tons of unique Leatherwood honey which is about a quarter of Tasmania’s total production. In the summer the white flowers of the Leatherwood tree are lovely. In the state forest you can ride a bike, take a hike, ride a horse, trail bike, canoe, raft and if you like and have your dog with you take him or her for a walk. Visitors here can enjoy barbecues or picnics and perhaps try and catch a fish for their supper. Just remember to respect the wildlife here.