St Helens - East Coast, Tasmania.
Like so many of the small towns along Tasmania’s east coast St Helens came to early prominence as a safe haven for the whalers and sealers operating throughout the region.
The first recorded sighting of St Helens by a European was made by Captain Tobias Furneaux who sailed up the east coast in 1773 and named Georges Bay and the southernmost headland of the bay St Helens Point. It wasn’t until sixty years later, the early 1830’s, before a basic settlement was established on Georges Bay by the whalers & sealers and the local aborigines became known as the Georges Bay tribe. In 1835 the Georges Bay settlement was renamed St Helens.
The discovery of tin at nearby Blue Tier in 1874 transformed St Helens from a sleepy back-water into a major port servicing the tin mines and the main transit point for the thousands of workers, including over 1000 Chinese immigrants, making their way to the diggings. The mines prospered up to the turn of the century and when they finally closed many of the miners resettled in St Helens.
Modern day St Helens is home to a commercial fishing fleet and supporting industries. It’s also a major tourist centre with visitors attracted to its beaches, game-fishing and SCUBA diving among magnificent kelp beds. A walk to St Helens point, about thirty minutes from town, will reward you with access to the magnificent Peron
Dunes and a pristine ocean beach.
St Helens is located 163 kilometres, about a two hour drive, east of Launceston and in March each year hosts the St Helens Game Fishing Classic.
This Tassie Local snapshot was produced by Footloose Photographic & Media Solutions
Things to see around - St Helens
St Helens
Bay of Fires - The Bay of Fires on Tasmania’s East Coast extends from Binalong Bay in the south to Eddystone Point in the north.
This unusual name was given to the area by Captain Tobias Furneaux, in 1773, when he noticed numerous fires along the coast. This led him to believe that the country was densely populated. Abundant evidence of this occupation by Aboriginal people can be seen along the coast today.
A scenic view of the bay can be glimpsed by driving along the coast to The Gardens. This picturesque area was named by Lady Jane Franklin, the wife of Governor John Franklin, who spent some time in the region.
Access to the southern section of the Bay of Fires is via the Binalong Bay Road (C850 ) out of St Helen’s. Take the turnoff on the left into the C848 at the sign - The Gardens – 13 Kms This is a sealed road, the road terminates at private land at The Gardens.
Telephone: 03 6392 2211 Location: via Binalong Bay Road, Binalong Bay, Tasmania.
Website: www.bayoffires.com.au
The weather on Tasmania’s East Coast is typically settled and warm, with an average maximum temperature of 22.5 degrees Celsius (72.5 degrees Fahrenheit) in summer and 10-15 degrees Celsius (50-75 degrees Fahrenheit) in winter.
Boat Harbour - St Helens, Tasmania
