George Town: maritime history and trails

Founded in 1804, George Town is described as Australia’s third-oldest European settlement. Maritime history, heritage and trails for outdoor activities give the town a range of different attractions. If you’re looking for a hotel in George Town, you can consider whether you’re most interested in seafaring history, the town’s early history, or walking and mountain biking options.

Maritime history and local history

The Bass & Flinders Maritime Museum covers the voyage of Bass and Flinders as well as Tasmania’s maritime history. Its extensive collection includes maps and nautical charts, photographs, paintings, logbooks, films, diaries and journals. There is also a replica of the sloop Norfolk. Alongside written records and images, the museum therefore features a tangible vessel-related subject.

The Watch House is the historic site of George Town’s former prison. A model village there illustrates life in early 19th-century George Town. The “Departures and Arrivals” exhibition covers Female Factories and the history of convicts. The historical perspective thus ranges from everyday life at the time to stories of imprisonment and the convict system.

Windmill Point also links local history with a visible landmark: in 1891, telegraph operations were moved to the new Cable Station. The Windmill Point Tree Sculptures depict workers landing a telegraph cable, as well as Matthew Flinders, George Bass and Colonel William Paterson. There is also a barbecue area and a playground with a wooden boat named after HMS Buffalo.

Walking and mountain biking

The kanamaluka Trail runs for six kilometres from George Town to Low Head and is used for walking. For mountain biking, the George Town Mountain Bike Trails offer more than 100 kilometres of riding across two trail networks. Both networks include purpose-built trails, with uplift service options available. These are different offerings: a walking route between two places and a mountain bike system with two networks. You can therefore plan around your preferred activity and the stated distance for each, without treating the kilometre figures as equivalent.

Low Head and activities on the water

The nearby historic site of Low Head lies north of George Town. It includes the Low Head Pilot Station and the Low Head Light Station. The Low Head Pilot Station Maritime Museum is open daily and offers visitor tours; tour times may change. If you plan to include a guided tour, check the current tour times in advance.

In George Town, Tamar River & Bass Strait Charters offers fishing and diving. Operator details may change, so check the latest information before planning. Together with the walking and mountain biking options, this broadens the range of activities, while the museum and historic sites focus on the region’s history.

Discover more destinations: Campania, South Arm Peninsula, Lake St Clair, Bothwell, Little Swanport, Port Latta, Ranelagh, Bagdad

Return to the main travel overview: Tasmania.