Who's Zoo in Tasmania ~ Details of Zoos and Wildlife parks

In this post I have a look at some of Tasmania's Zoos, Wildlife Parks and Rescue operations.

Each displays their website so that you can find out more about their operations, times and costs.

Wings Wildlife Park (and camping)

In the wild, only the fit have a chance to survive…..at Wing’s Wildlife Park, everyone has a chance.

You should allow approximately 2 hours for your visit to Wings Wildlife Park.

Most of the animals have been permanently injured (excepting fish, reptiles & babies born in captivity) and now reside at Wing’s Wildlife Park where enclosures  can be adapted to suit their needs.

Among the park's residents are:

Bennett's Wallaby
Blotched Blue-Tongue Lizard
  Brushtail Possum
  Eastern Barred Bandicoot
Eastern Quoll
 Echidna
Forester Kangaroo
Koala and
 Long-Nosed Potoroo

As well as Farm Animals,  American Bison,  Black-Tufted Capuchin Monkey, Camel,  Crab-Eating Macaque, Marmoset,  Blotched Blue-Tongue Lizard, birds and Fish.

Camping and Powered Sites

For an experience where family memories are made
Camping on the flats along the banks of the Leven River at Wings Wildlife Park is very popular, with so many things to do in a great location.

There are also powered sites and backpacker units available, so there’s something to suit everyone.

The main camping area is an attractive, large, grassed, riverside area with some shade, suitable for tents and self-sufficient caravans.

Powered sites and a picnic shelter are available near the amenities, and camping is also available here if preferred.

The amenities, including toilets, showers, disabled facilities and laundry block, are situated beyond the reception building.

Swap and go gas bottle exchange is available.

Entry to the Farm Walk is included in all accommodation fees, (This area includes buffalo, bison, camels, alpacas, ponies, ostrich, emus, deer, turkeys and more).

Entry to the main Wildlife Area has an additional charge, but you will only need to pay once during your stay and it will cover you for all the subsequent days you stay at the Park. Just let us know that you’re a camper and we’ll record your name when you pay.

137 Winduss Road, Gunns Plains

Coordinates: -41.264131, 146.045420

Open Daily 10.00am - 4.00pm

Check out the Website

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Tasmania Zoo

 Animal-tastic fun with 900 acres of private native bushland, which is home to the largest collection of native and exotic animals in Tasmania.

Tasmania Zoo is a privately owned, local family-run zoo that is committed to caring for injured and orphaned wildlife.

Some of these animals are unable to be returned to the wild, so as you walk around the zoo, you will meet many of them, who all have their very own unique stories.

They are dedicated to continuous contribution to wildlife conservation and to the education of the community at large, providing world standard facilities to over 100 rare, exotic and native species.

Tasmania Zoo facilities include:

* BBQ and Picnic Areas
* 'Meerkat Munchies’ Cafe
* A Gift Shop that includes Artwork by the zoo animals
* Disabled Access
* Baby Change Facilities

 The zoo is wheelchair friendly and has an electric mobility aid available at the zoo’s front reception area for hire.
No pets or service animals permitted within Tasmania Zoo.

1166 Ecclestone Road,
Riverside

Coordinates: -41.430877, 145.977100

Phone: 03 6396 6100
Opening Hours:9:00am - 4:30pm

Check out the Tasmania Zoo Website for full details

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Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary

Sanctuary map - There's plenty to see at Bonorong and the path is one big loop, so you won't miss a thing.

Explore a sanctuary just for the wildlife of Tasmania, where kids can have some truly special wildlife encounters.

Whether you’ve come across the world or you’re just down the road, you are most welcome at Bonorong, a Sanctuary for wildlife run by a passionate team of like-minded people.

A visit to Bonorong is a chance to come closer than ever to something wild and fragile.

You’ll come face to face with animals that went extinct long ago in other parts of Australia — the same animals we’re working hard to protect now.

By walking through our old wooden gate, you’ll become part of something special – everything they do is done with your help.

593 Briggs Road, Brighton

Coordinates: -42.706658, 147.270361
Open daily from 9am to 5pm - including weekends and public holidays. 

Bookings are not required for general admission, or to join our daily tours, which are included in your ticket price.

For full details, check out their WEBSITE

ZooDoo Wildlife Park

safari bus

Zoodoo is well known for its hands-on approach that lets you get closer to more animals than you ever thought possible.

You get close-up and personal with many animals in the walk through Native Park, farmyard, and NEW Walk-through Bird Aviary.

Included in the entry fee is the unique safari bus tours which take visitors to hand-feed large animals including Ostriches, Camels, Zebras and more.

INDOOR PLAYLAND
It is an ideal place for the adults to sit out of the weather with a coffee and catch their breath while the children exhaust themselves further.

This area consists of a merry-go-round, jumping castle and toddlers ball pit and the use of rides in this area is included in the entry fee.

620 Middle Tea Tree Rd, Richmond
Coordinates: -42.710104, 147.373510
Open: 7 days, 9am–5pm

For full details, check out the WEBSITE

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 Trowunna Wildlife Sanctuary

 Trowunna Wildlife Sanctuary is a privately owned wildlife sanctuary, where native Tasmanian fauna and flora thrive and also has a great range of marsupials, birds and reptiles on site.

The primary goal for Trowunna Wildlife Sanctuary is wildlife conservation, education and rehabilitation.

The ecological sustainability of the Tasmanian flora and fauna is of valued importance. Trowunna is an integral part of the larger picture of wildlife in Tasmania. Centrally set among varying environments, Trowunna provides a haven of 65 acres for our native transient Tasmanian wildlife and migratory wildlife looking to travel through what are, sometimes, hostile environments.

Trowunna has daily interactive tours with group and private bookings welcome.

Facilities include the Devil Education and Research Centre, a gift shop, parking, toilets, picnic tables and disabled accessibility.

The Devil Education and Research Centre at Trowunna aims to highlight the unique carnivorous mammals that live in Tasmania.

 1892 Mole Creek Road, Mole Creek
Coordinates: -41.555863, 146.452277
Daily interactive tours: 11am, 1pm & 3pm
Adults $26, Concession $22
Children (3yo-15yo) $16
For more information, check out the WEBSITE

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Tasmanian Devil Unzoo - the world’s first Unzoo

  UNZOO – a place where the public learns about wild animals, plants and ecosystems through interaction with and immersion in natural habitats.

Tasmanian Devil Unzoo is a four-in-one wildlife nature experience that combines up-close animal encounters, wildlife adventures, a Tasmanian native garden and original art.

The world has many great zoos and wildlife parks. Tasmanian Devil Unzoo represents a reversal of the concept and ethos of these institutions.

Tasmanian Devil Unzoo is the world’s first intentional Unzoo project, developed from a master plan created by visionary zoo designer John Coe and Tasmanian Devil Unzoo owner John Hamilton.

In transforming the site, they have embraced natural habitats for the native animals that replicate or restore natural landscapes.

The Unzoo is much more than the appearance of no cages or barriers. The habitats create an environment in which the animals have more independence, behaviour choices and opportunities for natural behaviours.

At the Unzoo, you’ll have face-to-face encounters with animals found nowhere else on earth, discover rare and beautiful Tasmanian plants in the Tasmanian Native Botanic Garden, see Tasmanian artworks in our galleries and have the chance to help save endangered Tasmanian devils on our Devil Tracker Adventure.

 5990 Arthur Highway,Taranna
Phone:   1800 641 641
Coordinates: -43.060806, 147.864530
OPENING HOURS
9am-5pm
9am-6pm (summer)
For full details see the WEBSITE

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Seahorse World 

The mystical seahorse has always been a source of immense attraction, and this Tasmanian-based experience is dedicated to uncovering the secrets and conserving the delicate environmental balance of these fragile yet beautiful marine animals.

A trip to Seahorse World will lead you on a journey to the unique facility that will provide you with an excellent experience with the aim of balancing both entertainment and education for a great day out.

You'll be given a "behind the scenes" look at the world's first working seahorse farm, as well as hands-on opportunities in the touch pool.

Seahorses aren't the only animals on hand at the park - Seahorse World also has many other interesting creatures in their Wonders of the Southern Ocean Aquarium.

The guided tour runs for a duration of 45 minutes from 9:30am until 4:30pm from September to April and every hour from 10am to 3pm between May and August.

Shed 1A Inspection Head Wharf
200 Flinders Street, Beauty Point
Coordinates: -41.152410, 146.822754

The park is open 7 days a week - except Christmas Day - and offers visitors an ample amount of fun.

 

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Tiger Track Stamps ~ for a kind of 'Low Tech Geocaching' in Tasmania

 Tiger Track Stamps

Tasmanian Artist, Kaye Green, Finds a Quirky, Free/Low-Cost Way For You To Keep Track Of Your Amazing Tasmanian Adventures.

Kaye's idea is based on her experience of living in Japan and the enjoyment of collecting impressions from rubber stamps that were available at most tourist destinations and temples.

 It all began for Tiger Track when Ulverstone native Kaye visited Japan in 1972 as a 17-year-old exchange student.

She found that many tourist destinations and temples offered rubber stamp impressions and special tourist booklets.

Kaye attended a local high school for a year, and during her travels she loved collecting the unique stamp impressions.

After completing art degrees in both Tasmania and the United States, she is now bringing her unique Japanese experience to her home state of Tasmania so both locals and visitors can enjoy the fun, free experience of stamp collecting.

Her vision of introducing this exciting concept to her home state, Tasmania, has now been turned into a reality, with many participants actively involved and many more on the way.

Each black and white stamp depicts a specific tourist destination, 

designed by award-winning Tasmanian artist Kaye Green.

 In Search of The Elusive Tasmanian Tiger

Add an extra focus to your Tasmanian adventure as you hunt down dozens of Tiger Track Stamps and with luck - or skill maybe - find the elusive Tasmanian Tiger (Thylacine) - the most valuable stamp of all.

Tasmanian Artist, Kaye Green

Recording Your Tasmanian Adventures With Tiger Track Stamps

Stamp Booklet

You can pick up your stamp collecting booklet on the Spirit I and II, Tourist Information Centres and at the participating tourist destinations (with a list of stamp locations), or use your own journal or diary - your choice.

How Can you GET STAMPED?

The unique stamp and an ink pad is conveniently located on a table, stand or desk at each participating location and you are free to stamp your booklet or your own diary or travel journal.

Click HERE for list of

Participating Venues

 

Visit the Tiger Track Website

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Camping in Tasmanian National Parks and State Forests

Camping in Tasmanian National Parks

As of 2016, 51% of Tasmania's land area has some form of reservation classification,

The majority of this land is managed by the Tasmania Parks & Wildlife Service, with Tasmanian National Parks covering an area of around 1,463,000 ha, a reasonably fair sized play-ground by any measure.

Cradle Mountain over Dove Lake, with old boat shed in foreground.

Camping and Cabin Fee Information

Many of the national parks and reserves offer excellent campsites, and some parks also offer cabin-style accommodation.

Please note that camping and accommodation fees are in addition to national park entry fees where applicable.

Fees are used to manage and improve facilities and services and apply only to the camp ground or accommodation for which they are paid and are not transferable to other camp grounds or accommodation.

Click HERE for 

Camping and Cabin Locations 

With Fee Information

Free entry to parks for Seniors cardholders

From 1 July 2018 to the end of June 2019, Seniors cardholders will be able to obtain their free Seniors parks pass by registering online through our Parks Pass Portal or at a national park visitor centre.

These passes must be printed and displayed on the vehicle dashboard when visiting a national park.

It’s designed to allow seniors to make the most of their own backyard, and increase physical activity and wellbeing through the removal of financial barriers.

Please note that free entry applies only to entry to national parks and that other fees, such as guided cave tours, overnight walk passes and camping fees, still apply.

From 1 July 2019, Seniors cardholders will be eligible to purchase a Seniors park pass, which offers a 50 per cent discount on the concession fee of an All Parks annual or two-year pass.

This offer is open to all Australian residents who are holders of Australian Government-issued Seniors Cards, not including Seniors Business Cards.

Please note:

The Senior's pass holder must be travelling in the vehicle.
The Senior's pass is not transferable.
Additional identification may be requested to confirm identity.

Check it out at your nearest Service Tasmania Office

or 

Tasmanian National Parks Passes

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Camping in Tasmanian State Forests

Section of forest

Sustainable Timber Tasmania is a government business enterprise wholly owned by the Government of Tasmania and is responsible for the management of public production forest in Tasmania.

The Permanent Timber Production Zone covers about 800,000 hectares of public land.

Camping Allowed
Camping is generally allowed anywhere on Permanent Timber Production Zone land, except where signed ‘no camping’.

Campfires are okay in most areas at most times, but please take care and abide by fire weather warnings and restrictions that may be in place.

Before you head out to visit Permanent Timber Production Zone land it is recommended that you contact one of Sustainable Timber Tasmania's local Regional Offices.

They can provide advice on what operations are in progress in the areas you wish to visit, the possibility of heavy vehicles sharing those roads, general road conditions and any locked gates.

Check out the Interactive Map Viewer to identify the locations of Sustainable Timber Tasmania's Permanent Timber Production Zones by clicking the graphic, below and set your Map Controls to Permanent Timber Production Zone, as pictured.



Things to remember while visiting working forests

Sustainable Timber Tasmania asks that you follow these ten important rules:

1. Obey laws and regulations for vehicles/recreational vehicles including 4wd, motor bikes/atv's that apply to public lands 

2. Respect cultural, heritage, and environmental values of public/private land 

3. Respect flora and fauna. Stop look, but never disturb or remove 

4. Keep to formed vehicle tracks 

5. Keep the environment clean. Carry your own, and any other rubbish back out 

6. Keep your vehicle mechanically sound and clean to reduce environmental impact 

7. Adopt minimal impact camping and driving practices 

8. Seek permission before driving on private land. Do not disturb livestock or watering points and leave gates as found 

9. Take adequate water, food, fuel, basic spares and first aid kit. In remote areas travel with another vehicle and have radio contact 

10. Plan your trip and lodge trip details with responsible persons. 

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Check out the post 'Hiring A Campervan In Tasmania - You’ll find Campervans and 4x4s from providers such as Maui, Cruisin, Tasmania Campers, Jucy, Britz, Apollo and many more.

Northern Midlands Council - Free-Camping Facts

 The Facts

The information, below, has been gleaned from the North Midlands Council website. 

Tree carvings at The Red Bridge, Campbell Town

 
The Northern Midlands offers a range of Self-Contained Vehicle friendly sites for self contained RVs and caravans at Bishopsbourne, Campbell Town, Cressy, Evandale and Honeysuckle Banks.

Self contained vehicles only
The sites listed below are strictly self-contained which means that:

All shower, washing, toilet, cooking, and sleeping must be contained WITHIN YOUR VEHICLE. 

No grey or black water, or other liquid is to be let out onto the ground, around trees, or into the river.

Camping Permit

These areas all REQUIRE a camping permit, which can be obtained by clicking here or you can call Council on (03) 6397 7303 for further information.
 
your permit number will be emailed to you immediately and you simply write your permit number on a piece of paper and display it on your dashboard.

The Camps

 
Bishopsbourne
A 48-hour free area for self-contained caravans and mobile homes is located at the Bishopsbourne Recreation Ground - Bishopsbourne Road, Bishopsbourne.

 Bishopsbourne is a farming community and has a population of only around 78.  It has a church, graveyard and recreation ground.

Nearby towns include Carrick, Bracknell and Longford

The dedicated free area is sign posted.

Coordinates:  -41.616465, 146.994830

A Permit is required 

Bishopsbourne Recreation Ground

Campbell Town
This 48 hour free area for self-contained caravans & mobile homes is located within the Blackburn Park Reserve, which is on the south-eastern side of the Red Bridge—adjacent to the Elizabeth River.

Campbell Town is a major rest area on the Midland Highway, with toilets, a park, a large car park and a range of food outlets.

Coordinates:  -41.933104, 147.494384

A Permit is required

Blackburn Park Reserve - Campbell Town

Cressy
The 48-hour free area for self-contained caravans and mobile homes is located at the Cressy Recreation Ground - 2 Macquarie St, Cressy 

Cressy is known as Tasmania's "Trout capital" for the good fishing in the area (in season).

It is a small town 35 km south-west of Launceston, with a population of around 670.

Coordinates:  -41.681568, 147.084045
 
The dedicated free area is sign posted.

 A Permit is required

Cressy Recreation Ground

  
Evandale
The 48-hour free area for self-contained caravans & mobile homes is located at the Falls Park Reserve, Logan Road (site of the Evandale Market).
The dedicated free area is sign posted and is only available from Monday to Friday.

Coordinates: -41.571268, 147.254035

 A Permit is required

Falls Park Reserve, Logan Road (site of the Evandale Market)

 
Honeysuckle Banks - Evandale
The 48 hr free area for self-contained caravans & mobile homes is located at the Honeysuckle Banks Reserve, 356 Leighlands Road, Evandale
The dedicated free area is sign posted and is only permitted from NOVEMBER TO APRIL.

Coordinates: -41.572522, 147.237636

 A Permit is required

Honeysuckle Banks Reserve - camping only permitted from NOVEMBER TO APRIL.

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Launceston, Australia's third-oldest city

Launceston

launceston forecasts

 

V
ersicherungen

Founded in 1806, Launceston is the Australia's third-oldest city, with a fascinating history traced in its beautiful old buildings and streetscapes dating from early Colonial and convict times to Georgian and Victorian eras.

Its many well-preserved Victorian and Georgian buildings, together with its diverse collection of art-deco architecture, give the city an unusual period ambience.

The architecture of the mid-to-late 20th century, that dominates most large modern cities and many smaller ones, is quite rare and a walk around the city leaves one with the feeling of being wrapped in a timeless cocoon of yesteryear.

Greater Launceston has a population of 106,153 (2011 census) and the charm and pace of a regional centre, with the facilities of a much larger city.

 

Launceston offers a great variety of things to see and do and I have offered just a few here to get you started.

The Cataract Gorge and Cliff Grounds

The Cataract Gorge Reserve covers 192 hectares and is home to a wide variety of plants and animals that live in the bushland and waterways and make up this a magnificent treat for locals and tourists alike.

It has numerous walking trails with lookouts, as well as the world's longest single span chairlift, a suspension bridge, an open air swimming pool, a children's playground, free barbecues and picnic lawns, the Gorge Restaurant and Basin Café (which serve the finest Tasmanian produce and have magnificent views of the Reserve).

In the Cliff Grounds there's a band rotunda with historical information, exotic deciduous trees, azaleas and rhododendrons and peacocks strutting about the graceful Victorian gardens among towering conifers.

The gardens were designed in the style popular in Victorian England at the time.

It is also a collector’s garden, with trees and other plants from all over the world planted there, as the European settlers still had nostalgic yearnings for the gardens of their homeland and is the reason why, in the 1890’s, they tried to recreate the places that were familiar to them, including the decorative peacocks that were introduced and that still roam the grounds along with the native wallabies that can be seen grazing on the lawns alongside them.

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Franklin House

Franklin House, constructed of Australian cedar, was built in 1838 for Britton Jones, a Launceston brewer and innkeeper and is maintained and operated by Australia's National Trust.

Franklin House is open to visitors between 9am – 4pm Mon – Sat (April to Sept), 9am-5pm (Oct to Mar), Sunday Noon – 4pm and is closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year’s Day & Good Friday.

Ritchie's Mill
Paterson Street, Launceston - at the head of the Tamar River.

Jetty at the mill, looking north up the Tamar River

The mill itself was considered a fine establishment - operated by a race from the wild Cataract Gorge, it had stores holding up to 10,000 bushels of wheat, a five bedroom brick cottage and other out buildings.

Mr. George Yates bought a share of the water mill in 1845 for 4400 pounds.

In 1847 Mr. Yates offered his Supply Mills, on the Supply River, for lease and it was taken up by my great-great-grandfather, James Cartledge and his brother, John.

A little later in this blog we will be visiting the heritage listed, Supply River mill site, further up the Tamar.

Water tanker

While the milling operation seems to have been a little less than profitable for Mr. Yates, it was the income from the water supply, estimated to exceed 1500 pounds per annum, that was ‘The El Dorado of Launceston’.

The Cartledge brothers grabbed a piece of the action, purchasing water from the mill-race and on-selling it, from a tanker, to the ships in the harbour.

Head of the Tamar from Ritchies Mill - photo: Robin Cartledge

An advert in the Launceston Examiner, Wednesday, 24th November, 1847, reads:
"J and J. Cartledge respectfully inform masters and owners of vessels that they have purchased the Union Water Tanks, by which the shipping are supplied with pure unadulterated Cataract water at the very lowest possible price.
They also respectfully inform masters and mates of vessels that the Union is the only water tank supplying shipping that can get pure cataract water, as all others are compelled to procure a supply from the river in the immediate vicinity of the filth and dirt from the sewers and cesspools of the town, or where the public are accustomed to bathe."
Carters paid the mill sixpence a cask and by the time it reached residents it ranged from eighteen pence to three shillings (thirty-six pence).

More Things to See

• Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery
  
  Museum: 2 Invermay Road, Launceston
  
  Art Gallery: 2 Wellington Street, Launceston
  

  
  Established in 1891, it is now the largest museum located outside a capital city in Australia.
  
  The Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery is located at two sites across the city:

  The original purpose built building at Royal Park and another at the Inveresk Cultural Precinct, on the grounds of the former railway station and rail yards in buildings largely converted from the former Railway Workshops.
  
  The precinct also includes the Launceston Tramway Museum, which houses the No. 29 tram, the 'Mary St' shelter shed and a host of other memorabilia.
  
  The state's largest preservation railway, the Don River Railway, also has a carriage rebuilding workshop on the site.

   
• City Park
  Main entrance: Tamar Street or corner of Cimitiere and Lawrence Streets
  
  

  Grab yourself a picnic lunch and spend an hour or so exploring this beautiful parkland that features mature trees and shrubs, a display of annual flowers, a Japanese Macaque monkey enclosure, the John Hart Conservatory, a duck pond, senses garden, monuments, chess board, historic Albert Hall, barbeque area and a children's playground.
  
  City Park, originally developed by the Launceston Horticultural Society and handed over to the Launceston City Council in 1863, was once called the 'People's Park', which reflects how the park has been viewed by the people of Launceston since its beginnings.

On the 14th October 1804, Lt Gov. Paterson embarked for Van Diemen's Land on the Buffalo at Sydney Town and with a party of soldiers proceeded to his command of the intended establishment at Port Dalrymple.

First settlement

The first encampment was at Outer Cove (now George Town), but the lack of fresh water, exposure to the wind and infertile land persuaded Paterson to move the settlement to York Town, upstream on the western bank of the Tamar in early 1805.

Here fresh water seemed to be in abundance, and the land well suited to both cultivation and grazing.

Winter proved this spot to be less than ideal and in spring the farms and gardens of the inhabitants flooded, and many of the Bengali cattle, transported from a warmer climate, died of exposure.

 

Settlement was moved to Launceston

It was for this reason that towards the end of 1805 the settlement was moved to Launceston, which was selected for its sheltered position, abundant green pasture (comparing favourably with the Hawkesbury), and the sparseness of its lofty trees.

The matter did not rest here, because Governor Macquarie, during his term in office between 1810 and 1821, decided that the settlement should after all be situated at George Town where it was more accessible.

This indecision retarded Launceston's growth until the 1820s.

Initially the settlement was called Patersonia after commandant of the British garrison Lt. Col. William Paterson, who later served as Lieutenant-Governor of northern Van Diemen's Land from 1804 to 1808.

He later changed the name to Launceston in honour of the New South Wales Governor Captain Philip Gidley King, who was born in Launceston, Cornwall.

A description of Launceston c 1852

 
Drawn from The History of Tasmania - Volume II (of 2) by John West.

Launceston [is] in the parish of Launceston and county of Cornwall, is the second town of the colony, and is in Lat. 41°. 24'. S., and lon. 147°. 10'. E.

It stands at the confluence of the North and South Esk rivers, which here discharge their waters into the Tamar.

It is 121 miles (195 km) from Hobart, and 40 miles (64 km) from the sea at Port Dalrymple.
On the east and west it is bounded by hills, and on the north stretches the valley of the Tamar.

The town is well laid out, and viewed from the hills which overlook it, or from the Tamar, it has a picturesque appearance.

The wharves, which afford accommodation to vessels of large tonnage, extend along the river which forms the northern boundary.

Farther up are numerous spacious stores and other commercial buildings.

There are two large episcopalian churches, a handsome presbyterian church, a Roman catholic church (all built in the Gothic style), a Wesleyan chapel, two congregational chapels, a free church, a baptist chapel, and a synagogue, all neat and commodious buildings.

The court house, the gaol, the house of correction, female factory, and several other government establishments, are large and well-built.

Many of the shops, offices, inns, and private buildings are of considerable size and respectable appearance.

On the hill which bounds the town on the eastern side, and commands a splendid view of the town and river, are many private residences and gardens.


There are four banks, four insurance offices, three printing establishments, and two bi-weekly newspapers.

The principal public offices are the police office, the custom-house, the post office, and the port office.

The population of the town is 10,855, the number of houses, 2,181; 798 of which are of stone or brick.

There are an episcopal grammar school, a Wesleyan day school, an infant school, three episcopal day schools, a catholic school, seven Sunday schools, and numerous private schools.


The public institutions, besides the banks and insurance offices, are a mechanics' institute and reading room, a library society, several circulating libraries, two horticultural societies, a benevolent society, auxiliary bible society, two masonic lodges, odd fellows society, rechabite society, and a teetotal society.

There are 70 vessels belonging to the port, their collective tonnage being 8,564 tons.
There is also a floating dock.

Richard Dry, Esq., the hon. the speaker of the Legislative Council, is the first member for the electoral district of Launceston.

Launceston Travel and Information Centre
68-72 Cameron Street, Launceston, Tasmania
Open: Weekdays 9.00am to 5.00pm - Saturday 9.00am to 1.00pm - Sunday and Public Holidays 9.00am to 1.00pm
Free call: 1800 651 827

BIG4 Launceston Holiday Park
86-94 Glen Dhu St, Launceston, Tasmania
(03) 6344-2600
Coordinates: -41.457262, 147.142167

 Website

BIG4 Launceston Holiday park is a 16 acre elevated city retreat boasting the most stunning views of the Launceston city and Tamar valley. 

Guests have the luxury of being walking distance to the CBD and beautiful Cataract Gorge (2km) making us the perfect base to explore the north. 

All the essentials for an urban escape are here, FREE Wi-Fi, children’s playground and jumping pillow, brand new amenity facilities and varied accommodation options from powered/unpowered sites, cabins to suit budget conscious families to brand new two bedroom villas to accommodate travelling couples and larger families.

Old Mac's Caravan & Motorhome Farm Stay
55 Sandown Rd, Norwood, Launceston, Tasmania
0408 443 696
Coordinates: -41.448415, 147.180278

Hadspen Discovery Parks
Cnr Main St & Meander Valley Hwy, Hadspen, Tasmania
(03) 6393-6391
Coordinates: -41.504121, 147.069866

Website

 Fifteen minutes from the beautiful city of Launceston is Discovery Parks – Hadspen, a must on your Tassie touring itinerary.

The peaceful South Esk River is a short stroll away from our caravan park and wineries, national parks, and family attractions are close at hand. Before soaking up some culture at the Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery, visit the stunning Cataract Gorge, beautiful gardens and resident peacocks in Launceston. Explore Narawntapu and Mt William National Parks, take a Tamar River Cruise, and taste your way through Tasmania’s oldest wine region, the Tamar Valley.

Launceston Holiday Park, Legana
711 West Tamar Hwy, Launceston
(03) 6330-1714
www.launcestonholidaypark.com.au
Coordinates: -41.374053, 147.050607

 At Launceston Holiday Park Legana, we have a number of accommodation types to suit your budget, ranging from powered caravan/camper sites right up to deluxe spa cabins. For those preferring to travel light, we have an unpowered grassed area for pitching a tent, and powered caravan sites are also available for tents if power is required.

RV Dump Points

BIG4 Launceston Holiday Park
94 Glen Dhu Street, Launceston.
Free for Registered Guests or fee for dump point use only.

St Leonards Park Public Dump Point
Station Rd, St Leonards,
Coordinates: -41.462605, 147.193084

Doctor/Medical Centre
external link, above, contains a list of doctors and medical centres in and around Launceston, including address, phone, opening hours and map

 
Police
90 Cameron Street, Launceston - non-emergency Ph. 131 444

 

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Exploring the Tasman Peninsula

Some Facts About the Tasman Peninsula

There is much more to the Tasman Peninsula than just the Port Arthur Prison, so I headed off to document some of it for you.

Pugsley and Albert join the Eaglehawk Neck Dog line

In further posts I will be looking at some of the weird and wonderful points of interest including: Eaglehawk Neck dog-line, Convict Coal Mine, Australia's First (convict powered) Railway,  and Unzoo, along with the towns of Nubeena, the largest town on the Tasman Peninsula; Eaglehawk Neck and Tarawa - as well as details of the many available caravan parks, RV and tent campsites, so it would be well worth your time to bookmark this blog for future reference.

Lying to the south and west of Eaglehawk Neck, the Tasman Peninsula has an area of 660 square kilometres and a population of around 2,200 permanent residents.

Given that there is an overload of information around on Port Arthur, I will concentrate more, in this series of posts, on the rest of this exciting and colourful region.

The Tasman Peninsula

 Original Inhabitants

The aboriginal inhabitants of this area, prior to European arrival, were the Pydairrerme people.

Their territory was what is now known as the Tasman and Forestier peninsulas.

The Pydairrerme people were a part of the larger Paredarerme language group, whose territory covered a large area of the east coast of Tasmania.

 The Reason for European Settlement

The first European settlement of the peninsula was Port Arthur in the early 1830s and was selected as a penal settlement because it was geographically isolated from the rest of the colony, but more easily reachable by sea.

Its inaccessibility was enhanced by having Eaglehawk Neck lined with guards and guard dogs, to prevent the escape of any convicts.

A small number did escape, however, including the bushranger Martin Cash.

It also had excellent supplies of timber for shipbuilding and general construction work, as well as stone, clay, lime and coal and was close enough to Hobart to allow for a viable settlement and a deep sheltered harbour, where visiting British warships could be repaired.

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and tourism are now the area's major industries and it is a base for the local crayfish, salmon and shellfish industry.


Camp sites around Tasman Peninsula

The Tasman Peninsula region has a broad range of accommodation options that include two tourist parks along with a number of RV and tent only campsites.

NOTE: Clicking on 'coordinates' will take you to the appropriate Google map.

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White Beach Tourist Park

128 White Beach Rd, White Beach

Phone: (03) 6250-2142
Coordinates: -43.111338, 147.736878

Website: White Beach Tourist Park

I chose the White Beach Tourist Park as my base for this series for its convenient position on the western shore of the peninsula.

Located directly on a stunning beach, with delightful and helpful hosts, White Beach Tourist Park offers quiet camping, free Wi-Fi, dump point, BBQs, a camp kitchen/dining area with TV and a book exchange, coin operated laundry, a play area for the kids, easy access for caravans and motor homes and accommodation for families and couples.

The Park has self-contained cabins, powered caravan/motorhome sites and outstanding grassy campsites.

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 NRMA Port Arthur Holiday Park
Garden Point, Port Arthur

Phone: 1800 607 057

 Coordinates: -43.132369, 147.857515

Website: NRMA Port Arthur Holiday Park

Offering a range of modern facilities including amenities, playground, camp kitchen, pump track, kiosk, outdoor pizza oven and fire pits, the accommodation options include water view cabins, safari tents, ensuite and unpowered sites and bunkhouses.

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Lime Bay Camp Ground
181 Coal Mine Rd, Sloping Main
Coordinates: -42.956029, 147.703285

The campsite is suitable for tents and caravans and facilities include toilets, limited picnic tables and fire places. The campsite has a set fee.

 

Take your own water and firewood, and as the area is prone to fire bans at short notice during warmer summer months, a fuel stove is recommended for cooking.

Lime Bay State Reserve is a large and attractive 1300 ha secluded reserve consisting of sheltered beaches and eucalypt plantations at the end of well maintained, gravel Coal Mines Rd., north of the historic Convict Coal Mine complex.

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Nubeena Ex- Servicemans club
1577 Main Road Nubeena, Tasmania
03 6250 2135
Coordinates: -43.108146, 147.746876

Suitable for self-contained RVs and caravans, this site costs $20/ night, with $10 redeemable on the bar.

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Mill Creek Camp Ground
Tasman National Park
Cape Hauy Track, Fortescue Bay

03 6250 2433
Coordinates: -43.143263, 147.968744

www.parks.tas.gov.au

Suitable for RV, caravan and tent; bookings are necessary. Toilets and fireplaces are provided, while hot showers and wood are available for a small fee.

A gas barbecue in available in the day use area.

National parks pass required and is available from caretaker, (24 hour park passes available at self-registration box near camp ground information board)

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Check out the post 'Hiring A Campervan In Tasmania - You’ll find Campervans and 4x4s from providers such as Maui, Cruisin, Tasmania Campers, Jucy, Britz, Apollo and many more.