The historic Pier Hotel

George Town (including Bell Bay, York Town, Lefroy and Low Head)
One of Tasmania's most important historic townships
Located 53 km north of Launceston on the East Tamar Highway, George Town is one of the most important historic sites in North eastern Tasmania.

George Town 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 the English king, George III.

Paterson ran the HMS Buffalo aground at York Cove and, apparently nonplussed by his misfortune, duly ran up the flag, fired three volleys in the air, and played the national anthem. A memorial to the event stands on Esplanade North at Windmill Point - continue west down Macquarie Street from the Main Road.

The town grew in fits and starts. There were times when it was an important centre but these were matched by periods when the town slumped back into insignificance.

In The Savage Crows, the novelist Robert Drewe paints a rather grim picture of George Town in the 1830s. He describes it as 'a dull, lifeless place, few people remaining there except those connected with the Government. There was a good wooden jetty and a gaol but no church. The only other major buildings were the lunatic asylum and the female factory, both swarming with inmates.'

This was not entirely accurate as, between 1834-1840, it became the most important port on Van Diemen's Land's north coast, being particularly active in its trading with the new colony of Victoria.

It slumped in the 1840s only to be revitalised in the 1870s when gold was discovered at Lefroy, 15 km east of the town. Lefroy, which is now little more than a ghost town is well worth a visit. After the discovery of gold in 1870 it became a thriving gold mining town with a population reaching 5000 around the turn of the century. Now there are only the ruins of a few buildings.

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.

Things to see:  

Old Watch House Museum
A suitable starting point for visitors to George Town is the Old Watch House Museum in Macquarie Street (turn towards the river from the Main Road) which was originally the local lockup for both male and female offenders. Originally built in 1843 it has been restored and now operates as a craft shop and information centre.

The Grove

George Town
One of George Town's main historic attractions is 'The Grove', an elegant stone house located at 25 Cimitiere Street - turn west off Goulburn Street. It was probably built in 1829 and was occupied in the 1830s and 1840s by Mathew Friend, the port officer and magistrate. It is open from 9.00 a.m. - 5.30 p.m. in summer and 10.00 a.m. - 5.00 p.m. in other seasons. Contact (03) 6382 1336 for more information.

Bell Bay
A few kilometres south of George Town is the industrial port of Bell Bay which achieved fame in the 1950s and 1960s when it became the site of Australia's first producer of aluminium. It utilised Tasmania's cheap electricity to convert bauxite into finished aluminium. It is possible to inspect the Comalco Aluminium site. Contact the works on (03) 6382 5111.

Today Bell Bay is a thriving port servicing most of northern Tasmania. Its industries are based around aluminium, its thermal power station, its woodchip and paper mills, and its large oil installations.

The lighthouse at Low Head

Low Head
5 km north of George Town is Low Head, a sheltered harbour which is now a classified historic town. Apart from its status as a popular holiday resort location (East Beach is a popular surfing location and Lagoon Bay is ideal for children), the tiny settlement has a 12 m high lighthouse which overlooks the entrance to the River Tamar. It was built in 1888 to replace the original lighthouse which was constructed by convicts in the early 1830s.

The Pilot Station Museum

The nearby pilot station (the oldest in Australia it was completed in 1835) houses a Maritime Museum which includes memorabilia salvaged from the many shipwrecks on the north coast as well as some interesting, early diving equipment.

The river track between Pilot Bay and the lighthouse is the best place to watch the fairy penguins come ashore at dusk.

Visitors seeking more information should refer to George Town: History of the Town and District by J. G. Branagan which provides a very comprehensive history of the entire district.

	Tourist Information
	Visitor Information Centre Main Rd George Town TAS 7253 Telephone: (03) 6382 1700
	Hotels
	George Town Motor Inn 100 Agnes St George Town TAS 7253 Telephone: (03) 6382 1042 or (03) 6382 1057 Facsimile: (03) 6382 3446
	Grays - The George Town Hotel 77 Macquarie St George Town TAS 7253 Telephone: (03) 6382 2655 Rating: ***
	Pier Hotel/Motel 5 Elizabeth St George Town TAS 7253 Telephone: (03) 6382 1300 Email: info@pierhotel.com.au Rating: ****
	Bed & Breakfast/Guesthouses
	Fasifern Bed & Breakfast 13 Esplanade North George Town TAS 7253 Telephone: (03) 6382 1424 or (03) 6382 1068 Email: georgetown@amcal.net.au
	"The Grove" Bed & Breakfast 25 Cimitiere St George Town TAS 7253 Telephone: (03) 6382 1336 Rating: ***
	Apartments
	Central Court Apts Main Rd George Town TAS 7253 Telephone: (03) 6382 2155 Rating: ***
	The Pier Villa Apts 5 Elizabeth St George Town TAS 7253 Telephone: (03) 6382 1300 Rating: ****
	Cottages & Cabins
	Belfont Cottages 4 Perrins Dve Low Head George Town TAS 7253 Telephone: (03) 6382 1841 Facsimile: (03) 6382 1841 Rating: ***
	Pilot Station and Marine Museum Self-Catering Accommodation Pilot¹s Station Museum Complex Low Head George Town TAS 7253 Telephone: (0417) 503 292 Rating: ***
	Caravan Parks
	Beach Pines Holiday Park Gunn Pde Low Head George Town TAS 7253 Telephone: (03) 6382 2602 Rating: ***
	Low Head Caravan Park Low Head Rd George Town TAS 7253 Telephone: (03) 6382 1573
	Restaurants
	George Town Motor Inn 100 Agnes St George Town TAS 7253 Telephone: (03) 6382 1042 or (03) 6382 1057 Facsimile: (03) 6382 3446
	Grays Bistro 77 Macquarie St George Town TAS 7253 Telephone: (03) 6382 2655
	Mario's Licensed Restaurant 20 Macquarie St George Town TAS 7253 Telephone: (03) 6382 1479
	Pier Hotel/Motel 5 Elizabeth St George Town TAS 7253 Telephone: (03) 6382 1300
	"The Grove" 25 Cimitiere St George Town TAS 7253 Telephone: (03) 6382 1336
	Cafés
	Buffalo Cafe 30 Macquarie St George Town TAS 7253 Telephone: (03) 6382 4233 or (03) 6382 2355