Bridport is situated 21 kilometres from Scottsdale, stands on the Brid River and is fondly referred to as the Holiday Capital of the north east coast of Tasmania. Naturally enough, before the arrival of the Europeans in this area, Aborigines inhabited the region. Both Thomas Lewis in 1829 and George Augustus Robinson in 1830 recorded the existence of Aboriginal camps.

One of the first grants of land in the area was owned by Janet and Andrew Anderson in 1833, after whom Anderson Bay is named. Another settler called Peter Brewer constructed a homestead near Bridport in 1839, which he named "Bowood", and it can still be seen today. These were the earliest white settlers in the area.

The town was appearing as an unnamed reserve on maps going back as far as 1839. However, it was not until 1859 that Richard Hall surveyed the town. A total of four lots were sold and a fifth one was kept for the construction of a police station.

A second survey a year later led to the selling of a further eight blocks. It is not clear who exactly was responsible for the construction of the town's first building, although a good guess would be A.W. Brewer. One of the first policemen in Bridport was an Irishman called Patrick Harrington.

The discoveries of both gold at Waterhouse and tin along the Ringarooma River impacted the town. Most of the miners who were subsequently attracted to these mines passed through Bridport.

This was the start of Bridport becoming a major port with supply ships being regular visitors to the town, shipping new settlers to the area, as well as a vast array of items such as tin, palings, machinery, tools and household stores and utensils. The tin from the Ringarooma River region was being shipped from Bridport to Launceston. Vessels like the Coronella and Bessie were amongst the many that frequented Bridport in those days.

The arrival of the railway line to Scottsdale heralded the demise of the town as an important port. The forty seven mile long line cost 395,800 pounds and was opened in 1889.

The heavy traffic from the settlements of Branxholm, Derby and Ringarooma led to the deterioration of the road system around Bridport. By 1900 the town was becoming a holiday resort, especially popular with fishermen and beach lovers. The area was noted for its fruit and vegetable crops.

Today Bridport's natural waterways are ideal for a variety of watersports. Naturalists can search the nearby areas for wild orchids and other wildflower species. Proposals are underway to construct a recreational jetty at the town.


The natural environment provides an ideal photographic subject with spectacular vistas obtainable from many locations in and around Bridport. A particular highlight is the view from the PMG tower at Waterhouse. Charter a fishing boat for scuba diving or fishing expeditions - Anderson Bay is renowned for its stocks of Flathead, Salmon, Crayfish and Whiting, among other species of fish.

A walking track along the foreshore at Bridport will lead the visitor past seascapes of rugged beauty, with all kinds of native flora and fauna evident in the marine environment. Not far from the town is the Granite Point Coastal Reserve with its great views to the sea and a colourful abundance of wildflowers during the springtime.

Waterhouse Protected Area is a bushcamping area not far from Bridport. There are fascinating rockpools with all sorts of evidence of marine biology to be seen, as well as beautiful beaches.

Nearby attractions include the vineyards near Pipers Brook, the Lavender Farm (in season), and the Lalla Rhododendron Garden Reserve.

Enjoy a leisurely round of golf on the local course, play a couple of sets of tennis, enjoy a relaxing game of bowls on the bowling green or have a picnic overlooking the spectacular oceanscape.

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