George Town, TASMANIA
Airing Date: Aug 18th, 2003
George Town is a gorgeous little spot situated right where the Tamar River opens on to Bass Strait. It is the third oldest settlement in Australia, after Sydney and Hobart, and now Australia's oldest town. With its beautiful river and coastside location, the town is a great family destination with plenty of history.
About five kilometres from the town centre is the Low Head Pilot Station, the oldest continuously running pilot station in Australia.
Established in 1805, the place is now a working complex containing the earliest collection of surviving pilot buildings in Australia. The property's old cottages provide the ideal accommodation for overnight guests.
The earliest building in the complex is Pilots Row, which dates from 1835 and now houses the museum. Covered wall to wall in maritime memoriabilia, the museum takes visitors on a fascinating journey back in time.
The history doesn't stop here. Just up the road is the Dotterel Point lighthouse, which is almost 200 years old. It was named after the ship Dotterel which was wrecked at this location in 1827. Back in the old days flags and semaphores were used to send messages from the boat to the lighthouse to a station like the one at Low Head. The messages would continue about 45 kilometres down the Tamar River, all the way to Launceston.
Next on the itinerary is The Grove, one of George Town's oldest homes. It's been around since 1830 and costs $6.50 to enter. Set in the garden, the Tea Room offers sensational apple pie made from a recipe passed down over the years.
Although George Town is Australia's third oldest settlement, not everything here is linked to the past. The town also offers Seal and Sea Adventure cruises to Tenth Island. The island, located about three kilometres off Tassie's mainland, is home to one of Australia's best seal colonies.
The facts
Qantas flies to Launceston any day of the week. Prices start from $202 from Melbourne and $626 from Perth.
Qantas
Tel: 13 13 13
Accommodation at Low Head Pilot station starts at just $70 a night for a family, with a minimum of three nights.
Pilot Station Accommodation
Tel: 03 6382 1143
Seal tours operate year round and cost $94 per person for groups of three or more.
George Town Sea & Seal Adventure Tours
Tel: 03 6382 3452
