Margate (Tasmania)
Margate is a town of 4,239 (2021) in the Greater Hobart region in southern Tasmania, and is one of the northernmost towns along the D'Entrecasteux Channel. The town is eight kilometers southwest of Kingston and 20 km from Hobart, the state capital.
The town is home to the Channel Museum, which is one of the few remnants of Margate's historic past as much of the town was burned in the 1967 bushfires. Another historical remnant is the Margate Train (depicted in banner), which is a train that contains various retail businesses within its carriages.
Get in
Margate is on the Channel Highway, a highway linking Kingston and Huonville via Cygnet and Kettering. From Hobart, take the Southern Outlet (A6) and continue on the Kingston Bypass (B68). Once you're at the end of the freeway, continue on B68 for about 5 km until you reach Margate.
Get around
See
- 🌍 Channel Museum, 1755 Channel Hwy, ☏ +61 3 6267 2333. Su–F 10AM–3PM (closed Sa). This purpose-built facility 20 km south of Hobart explores the Indigenous, whaling, fishing, and agricultural history of the Channel and surrounds with permanent and rotating exhibits. Specific exhibits focus on the 1967 bushfires, Dutch migrant history, and the Don Norton Camera Collection. Museum has a cafe. $7.50 per adult ($6 if pre-booked as a group). Residents of Kingborough $3. Children free.
- 🌍 Inverawe Native Gardens, 1565 Channel Hwy (near Margate Train), ☏ +61 3 6267 2020, gardens@inverawe.com.au. 9AM–5PM. A small garden with native Tasmanian flora and over 110 species of birds.
- 🌍 The Margate Train is an old train that was used for passenger rail between the state's two largest cities, Hobart and Launceston for most of the 20th century. Today, it houses various retail stores and can be found at 1567 Channel Highway.
Buy
- Choo Chews Lollie Shop, Carriage 2, Margate Train, ☏ +61 417 082 859. A lolly shop in the Margate Train.
Eat
- Brookfield Shed Margate, 1640 Channel Hwy. Tu-Su 9AM-3PM. A historic seed drying shed has been transformed into a restaurant and local attraction. It also hosts a range of local food vans every Tuesday.
- The Pancake Train Restaurant, 1567 Channel Hwy (in Margate Train), ☏ +61 498 010 069. A pancake shop and cafe on one of the carriages of the Margate Train.
- Laziko Kebabs & Gozleme Margate Train, 1567 Channel Hwy (in Margate Train), ☏ +61 413 836 892. A budget low-range gozleme and kebab shop on the Margate Train.
Sleep
- 🌍 Snug Beach Cabin & Caravan Park, 35 Beach Rd, ☏ +61 3 6267 9138. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: 10AM. Budget caravan park.