Ulverstone - North Coast, Tasmania.
Ulverstone, the largest “town “ in Tasmania by virtue of its population, sits at the mouth of the Leven River on the States north coast, twenty-one kilometers west of Devonport via the Bass Highway.
The site of present-day Ulverstone was first settled by the Risby family who moved from nearby Forth in 1848 following a dispute with a wealthy land owner which eventually saw them evicted from their holding of seven years. Their original selection was known as The Rises and located on the south-eastern corner of the current town boundary. The Risby’s farmed the area for many years and their descendants still reside in the district.
Originally known as The Leven, the settlement was named Ulverstone in 1854, after Ulverston in Lancashire, England, and declared a town on February 22nd 1861 by the then Governor Henry Fox-Young.
For many years Ulverstone and the surrounding district were at the heart of Tasmania’s timber industry, prospering on the back of the Victorian Gold Rush which ate up vast quantities of split timber.
Outdoor activities are popular in Ulverstone today and the town boasts a number of fine parks and very popular beaches.
Lillico Beach is home to a colony of Fairy Penguins and the nightly Penguin parade is a feature of the town as adult birds return from fishing forays into Bass Strait.
Not far from town the Leven canyon is well worth a visit with spectacular views across the 400 metre high gorge and several waterfalls accessible in the nearby area.
This Tassie Local snapshot was produced by Footloose Photographic & Media Solutions
Things to see around - Ulverstone
Ulverstone - North Coast, Tasmania
