Waratah waterfall

Waratah
Historic town which was once the richest tin mine in the world.
Waratah is an attractive settlement in the heart of Tasmania's west coast wilderness. To appreciate the full level of the town's isolation it is worth remembering that the road through the area was not completed until 1963. The town is located 232 km from Launceston and 356 km west of Hobart.

The town came into existence in 1871 when James 'Philosopher' Smith (who has been credited with saving the economy of Tasmania with his mineral discoveries) found the Mt Bischoff tin deposit.

There was a time in the 1880s when the Mt Bischoff mine near Waratah had the reputation of being the richest tin mine in the world. This was based on the fact that the mine was established with a capital of $58,000 and it paid investors over $2 million in return. By the time it closed in 1935 it had produced 81,000 tonnes of tin and provided a dividend equal to £200 for every £1 initially invested. At its peak the town, which now has only a few hundred residents, had a population in excess of 5,000.

In 1981 the Que River Lead and Zinc Mine, with an investment of over $20 million, opened. Seventy houses were built for workers and, at the time, it was estimated that the mine would have a life of 20 years.

Philosopher Smith's Hut and the Museum

Things to see:  

Waratah Museum
Located in Smith Street and formerly the town's Court House it is an ideal starting point. You can get a copy of a self drive tour of the town from the Roadhouse which also has a key to the museum. Next to the museum is the Philosopher Smith Hut, a recreation of a simple dwelling which was typical of the accommodation used by miners in the 1880s and 1890s.

St James Church
Waratah's 19th century prosperity is perfectly expressed in St James Church which was built in 1880. In 1889 the Mt Bischoff mine was being lit by electricity. The mine manager, H.W.F. Kayser had the electric light connected to the church. Thus St James became the first church in Tasmania to use an electric light. The church is located in Smith Street.

Lake Waratah
The town of Waratah is built around the shoreline of Lake Waratah. It is pleasant central point in the town with picnic and barbecue facilities and walks to the falls (just north of Smith Street) and the dam wall near William Street. Make sure to go over the road and inspect the Waratah Falls and the waterwheel.

Bridge across Lake Waratah

	Hotels
	Waratah Bischoff Hotel Main St Waratah TAS 7321 Telephone: (03) 6439 1188
	Caravan Parks
	Waratah Camping Ground Smith St Waratah TAS 7321 Telephone: (03) 6439 1231
	Restaurants
	Waratah Bischoff Hotel Main St Waratah TAS 7321 Telephone: (03) 6439 1188
	Waratah Roadhouse Smith St Waratah TAS 7321 Telephone: (03) 6439 1202