The River Forth and the local pub

Forth (including Leith and Turners Beach)
Small township on the River Forth
Forth is located on the River Forth 13 km west of Devonport and 111 km northwest of Launceston via the Bass Highway. Previously known as Hamilton-on-Forth this small, attractive settlement actually predates the larger settlement of Devonport. The River Forth was used in the mid-nineteenth century to ship out the produce and timber from the surrounding area and the town of Forth was actually laid out before Devonport. Unfortunately the mouth of the River Forth was prone to silting and so port facilities were developed on the more reliable Mersey River.

Perhaps the most important historical house in the area is Westleigh (it is a private residence) which is located off the Forth-Turners Beach road to the west of the town. It is signposted near the Wensleydale Arabian Stud.Westleigh was built for Edward J. Beecraft but its most famous resident was Bertha, the wife of Thomas Brammall. Bertha was the great-granddaughter of the famous English poet laureate, Robert Southey. As a novelist, poet and playwright she was the first woman in Tasmania to make radio broadcasts reading from her own works.

Things to see:  

Driving in the area
An interesting circuit from Forth starts at the Bridge Hotel on the east side of the river. The visitor who follows Leith Road north can visit the town's pioneer cemetery (where the remains of Edward J. Beecraft are buried) and follow the road until it turns back upon itself and becomes Braddons Lookout Road.

Braddons Lookout
Braddons Lookout Road leads to Braddons Lookout, which was named after Sir Edward Nicholas Coventry Braddon who, after a long career in the British civil service, arrived in Tasmania in 1878, entered state parliament in 1879 and was premier from 1894-99. The lookout affords excellent views across the Forth valley towards Turners Beach and Leith.

Leith and Turners Beach
The tiny coastal settlements of Leith and Turners Beach attract small numbers of holidaying visitors to the area. There are two caravan parks at Turners Beach and the River Forth is noted for its good catches of salmon and mullet.

	Hotels
	Bridge Hotel Main Rd Forth TAS 7310 Telephone: (03) 6428 2239
	Bed & Breakfast/Guesthouses
	Ochill Manor Bed & Breakfast Old Kindred Rd Forth TAS 7310 Telephone: (03) 6428 2660 Rating: ****
	The Wattles Bed & Breakfast Pumping Station Rd Forth TAS 7310 Telephone: (03) 6428 2242 Rating: ***
	Cottages & Cabins
	Trine's Cottage 694 Forth Rd Forth TAS 7310 Telephone: (03) 6428 2295 Rating: ****
	Caravan Parks
	Beach Haven Caravan Village Turners Beach Rd Forth TAS 7310 Telephone: (03) 6428 2785 Rating: ***
	Camping & Other
	Delaney Park Holiday Villas Lethborg Ave Turners Beach Forth TAS 7310 Telephone: (03) 6428 2552 Facsimile: (03) 6428 2434 Rating: ***
	Restaurants
	Bridge Hotel Main Rd Forth TAS 7310 Telephone: (03) 6428 2239