Historic - George Town & Low Head

follow the "George Town Heritage Trail" Brochure for a full listing

George Town is one of the most important historic sites in North Eastern Tasmania and can claim to be one of the earliest European settlements in Tasmania. As early as 1804 William Paterson camped on the site and by 1811 a permanent settlement had been established by Lachlan Macquarie and named after King George III.

The population reached 5000 around the turn of the century when gold was discovered at Lefroy (15 km east of town) in 1870's. Today George Town is a modern administrative centre. It is economically driven by the aluminium industry at Bell Bay and the tourist industry which attracts people to this attractive area of northern Tasmania.

Old Watch House Museum

The Old Watch House Museum in Macquarie Street, George Town was originally the local lockup for both male and female offenders, originally built in 1843 it has been restored and now operates as a focal point of the regions rich history. View the Model Village - painstakingly recreated to scale by volunteer labour and the History Room operated by the George Town & District Historical Society.

Bass & Flinders Centre

In 1798 the explorers Bass & Flinders sailed with a crew of 8 in HM Colonial Sloop Norfolk right into the Tamar River and anchored off what is now George Town. The replica of His Majesty's colonial sloop Norfolk can now be viewed in the Bass & Flinders Centre at 8 Elizabeth St, George Town along with a host of maritime history. http://www.bassandflinders.org.au

Pilot Station & Maritime Museum

A Pilot Station was established and manned at Low Head in 1805 but the stone buildings built by convicts to shelter workers from the weather didn't happen until 1835. The pilot station still guides ships in the River Tamar - it's the oldest continuously operating station in Australia.

The complex includes 10 rooms of maritime and communication memorabilia salvaged from the many shipwrecks on the north coast. Try the cafe for Devonshire teas or other light snacks, and enjoy the view.

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