View across the river looking towards Orford

Orford
Quiet township on the Prosser River opposite Maria Island
Orford is a pleasant holiday town located on the Prosser River 81 km north east from Hobart and directly across the water from Maria Island. Like Triabunna, which is only 9 km north, it is an ideal destination for people wishing to stay in the area before making the trip over to Maria Island. The ferry terminal is about 6 km north of the town.

The Orford area - Spring Bay and Prosser Bay - was first explored by Europeans when the French sailor and adventurer, Nicholas Baudin, reached the area in 1802 and named it Port Montbazin. The first European settler was Major Thomas Lord who, as Commandant of Darlington Penal Settlement on Maria Island, decided to build a house which he called Okehampton. Around this time a number of whaling stations were established along the coast. These were temporary establishments but they did lead to the Municipality of Spring Bay being established in 1860.

Today the small town, which is easily accessible from Hobart, is a popular holiday destination in summer when people come to surf (the water is cold but the waves are good), fish and boat in the waters between the town and Maria Island.

Things to see:  

Ferry to Maria Island
The Eastcoaster Resort, located a few kilometres north of Orford, is the mainland port for the Maria Island ferry. The resort has a bar and dining facilities and there is adequate parking for the ferry, which takes about 25 minutes to make the crossing, can be booked by contacting (03) 6257 1589.

Old Convict Road
Easy to find on the northern side of the bridge across the Prosser River, the Old Convict Road is precisely as its name suggests - a road built by convicts. Although it was created by an enormous amount of hard manual labour it is now a pleasant walk through the bushland beside the river. No one knows exactly when the road was built although it must have been constructed some time between 1841 when a Probation Station for new convicts was established at Buckland and 1855 when the last Probation Station in the area was closed down. The walk lasts about 40 minutes. The total length of the incomplete road is 7 km but it is not all part of the walk.

Walking By the River
On the north-eastern bank of the river there is a large picnic reserve (accessed from Riverside Drive which runs off the Tasman Highway) which offers pleasant views across the river and a suitably peaceful place for a picnic.

Walk to Three Thumbs Lookout
To the south of Orford is a walk in Thumbs Forest Park (it starts at the Three Thumbs picnic area) to a lookout at the Trig Station. The walk lasts two hours and the end result is a fine vista over Mercury Passage to Maria Island.

Beaches
To the south of Orford are Orford, Shelly and Spring beaches. These are popular summer holiday destinations. Between Shelly Beach and Spring Beach is the area's famous stone quarry which was in use from 1870 to 1890 and provided the hand hewn stone which was used for Melbourne's Law Courts. There is a pleasant two kilometre walking track around the cliffs between the two beaches.

Fresh Fish
Tasmania has many places which have a reputation for excellent fish. In Orford there is a very modest fish and chip shop (eat in or takeaway) on the Tasman Highway to the north of the town centre called East Coast Seafood. It is an exceptional seafood eatery and is well worth a visit. Contact them on (03) 6257 1549 or just turn up.

	Tourist Information
	Visitor Information Centre Old Convict Rd Orford TAS 7190 Telephone: (03) 6257 1655 or (03) 6257 1372
	Motels
	Blue Waters Motor Inn Tasman Hwy Orford TAS 7190 Telephone: (03) 6257 1102 Facsimile: (03) 6257 1621 Rating: **
	Island View Motel Tasman Hwy Orford TAS 7190 Telephone: (03) 6257 1114 Rating: **
	Hotels
	The Eastcoaster Resort Louisville Point Rd Orford TAS 7190 Telephone: (03) 6257 1172 Facsimile: (03) 6257 1564 Rating: ***
	Bed & Breakfast/Guesthouses
	Orfords Shalom Waterfront Bed & Breakfast 50 Tasman Hwy Orford TAS 7190 Telephone: (03) 6257 1175 Rating: ***1/2
	Apartments
	Orford Haven Holiday Apts 50 Charles St Orford TAS 7190 Telephone: (03) 6257 1736
	Prosser Holiday Apts Cnr Charles St & Tasman Hwy Orford TAS 7190 Telephone: (03) 6227 8139 or (03) 6257 1427 Rating: ***
	Sea Breeze Apts Cnr Rudd Ave & Walpole St Orford TAS 7190 Telephone: (03) 6257 1375 Rating: **
	The Eastcoaster Resort Apts Louisville Point Rd Orford TAS 7190 Telephone: (03) 6257 1172 Rating: ***
	Holiday Homes & Units
	Riverside Villas Old Convict Rd Orford TAS 7190 Telephone: 1800 817 533 Rating: ****
	Spring Beach Holiday Villas Rheban Rd Spring Beach Orford TAS 7190 Telephone: (03) 6257 1440 Rating: ****
	Cottages & Cabins
	Miranda Cottage Tasman Hwy Orford TAS 7190 Telephone: (03) 6257 1248 Rating: ****
	Caravan Parks
	Raspins Beach Camping Park Tasman Hwy Orford TAS 7190 Telephone: (03) 6257 1771
	Camping & Other
	Holkam House Tasman Hwy Orford TAS 7190 Telephone: (03) 6225 0970 Rating: ****
	Restaurants
	Blue Waters Motor Inn Tasman Hwy Orford TAS 7190 Telephone: (03) 6257 1102
	Eastcoaster Resort Louisville Point Rd Orford TAS 7190 Telephone: (03) 6257 1172
	Orford Roadhouse Tasman Hwy Orford TAS 7190 Telephone: (03) 6257 1481
	Cafés
	East Coast Seafood Tasman Hwy Orford TAS 7190 Telephone: (03) 6257 1549