DESTINATION: George Town

Situated at the mouth of the Tamar River and bordering Bass Strait, George Town is the oldest town (1811) in the north of the island. It is an important commercial centre today, mainly due to the large industrial plants at Bell Bay. It is also the Tasmanian port for the fast vehicular Devil Cat ferry connection with Victoria (Dec-April).

Main Attractions

A monument on the Esplanade honours Lt Colonel William Paterson whose ship was driven ashore in 1804. The Grove, a mansion built in 1830, was a port officer's residence; it is open daily.

Nearby attractions

Tours are available of the Comalco Aluminium Smelter and TEMCO Ferro Alloy Plant at Bell Bay, 6km south. The rural hamlet of Hillwood, 24km SE, is known for its fruit, gourmet products and cottage industries. A lookout from Mount George, 1km east, gives views over the town. Further east are the vineyards of the Pipers Brook region. There are beautiful beaches at Low Head, a village 5km north. The Pilot Station and Maritime Museum, has operated continuously since 1805; existing buildings date from 1835. Visits can be made to the nearby lighthouse, and also to a little penguin colony. There are cruises to an Australian fur seal colony at the Tamar River mouth.

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Region: Launceston and Tamar Valley

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Launceston and its river valley blend history, scenery, creativity, adventure, entertainment and the superb flavours of fine food and wine. Launceston is a city of elegant architecture and award-winning restaurants, while the lush Tamar Valley is Tasmania’s premier wine-growing region. more

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