George Town - North East , Tasmania.
George Town was Tasmania’s first northern settlement and is reputed to be the third oldest settlement in Australia after Sydney and Hobart. Located on the east bank of the Tamar adjacent to the river mouth, the first recorded settlement on the site was in 1804 when a Captain William Paterson set up camp after running HMS Buffalo aground at York Cove. The event is commemorated by a memorial on Windmill Point.
In the following year, 1805, convict labour was used to build the Low Head pilot station, one of the best-preserved examples of an early pilot station in the world and still in operation today. It now includes a maritime museum featuring a number of artifacts from the many shipwrecks which have occurred on the north coast.
The old Watch House Museum and The Grove are both well worth a visit. The Watch House, a former lock-up built in 1843, has been completely restored and now houses an information centre and craft shop. The Grove, constructed in 1829, was the home of Matthew Friend, George Towns Magistrate and Port Officer.
Nearby Bell Bay, one of the State’s premium deep-water ports is home to two of Tasmania’s major industries with Comalco operating Australia's oldest aluminium smelter, and Temco producing metal alloy products.
There are good beaches at Low Head and a Fairy Penguin colony with twilight guided tours available.
Georgetown offers good accommodation boasting one four-star, one three-and-a-half-star and two three-star establishments and an YHA youth hostel. The surrounding area is home to a number of award winning wineries all with tasting facilities.
This Tassie Local snapshot was produced by Footloose Photographic & Media Solutions
Things to see around - George Town
George Town - North East, Tasmania
