George Town (Tasmania)
George Town and Low Head are historic townships in Tasmania. George Town was chosen as the Northern Headquarters for Tasmania, but later abandoned in favour of Launceston. The locals claim to live in the oldest town in Australia, disqualifying Sydney and Hobart as being cities.
Get in
By car take the East Tamar Highway north from Launceston. From Devonport and the east, take the Batman Bridge.
Get around
The attractions in George Town are mostly in the town centre. It is about 7km to the attractions in Low Head. There is a bicycle path linking George Town with Low Head else you may drive a car or book the local bus.
See
An entry ticket to many of the George Town attractions is available from the tourist information centre. A family ticket is available there also.
- 🌍 Low Head Lighthouse.
- Pilots Station and Museum, Low Head. It is free to wander around the site. There is a charge to enter the museum, which has themed exhibits in 5 rooms.
- Watch House, Macquarie St, George Town. Contains some historical displays, but primarily features a detailed diorama of how George Town looked up until 1850.
- 🌍 Bass and Flinders Centre. Contains a full working replica of the Norfolk, which is the first ship to circumnavigate Tasmania. This ship was actually used for a reenactment of the voyage. You can walk on the ship, go below decks, and really imagine what it must have been like to sail such a ship around Tasmania.
Eat
- 🌍 The Crazy Duck, 2 Ferry Blvd, ☏ +61 3 6382 9990. M-Sa 11AM-8PM, Su 11AM-7:30PM.
Sleep
The town has numerous hotel/motel choices to stay.
- 🌍 The Grove, corner Elizabeth & Cimitiere Streets (25 Cimitiere St) 7253. Two cottages to rent (Nanna's Cottage and Grove Cottage) from $105.
- Low Head Pilot Station, 399 Low Head Road, Low Head, ☏ +61 3 6382 2826. 9 cottages around a village green. Coxswain's cottage cafe open 9am-5pm (mains from $15). from $150.