George Town is located on the Tamar River Estuary, and was one of the earliest settlements in Tasmania. On 11th November 1804, Lt. Colonel Paterson had raised the Union Jack on Monument Point and declared the area to be British owned.

In 1811 Governor Macquarie called the settlement after King George III of England. The administration of the north of the State was briefly moved here from Launceston in 1819, but was returned in 1824.

The late 1830s to 1840 saw a rapid development of the town, due to the expansion of the colony in Victoria and the establishment of a ferry port and river terminal port at the site.

A signalling station was established in 1825 to relay shipping news from Low Head to Launceston. A cloth factory was established in 1821. Further development occurred in the 1850s when gold was struck in nearby Lefroy.

The establishment of an aluminium works at nearby Bell Bay, along with other industrial and commercial developments in the area saw a rapid rise in the population of George Town, and as a result an increase in services and facilities during the 1950s and 1960s.


Museums and Historic Sites

Visit the Watch House - built in 1843 and now serving as a folk museum - to find out about the history of the area. The Pilot Station, established in 1805, is located at Low Head and contains a Museum displaying the maritime history of the area, as well as a ship paintings gallery, research facility, archives and audio-visual display. Visit the 1804 landing site of HMS Buffalo at the Grove, a beautifully restored Georgian residence dating from 1829 and built for Port Officer and local Magistrate Matthew Curling Friend. The house is open for inspection, and light refreshments can be enjoyed on site.

Macquarie Court was the site of Wilson's Inn, which was where John Batman overnighted as he waited for suitable weather which would allow him to sail to Port Phillip in the year 1835. The George Town Hotel was built in or around 1880 and was previously known as the British Hotel.

The Pier hotel received its first license in the 1850s and today retains many of its original features. Even older still is the Steam Packet Inn which dates back to 1839 when it was first licensed. It has changed name since that time and is known as Whitestones today. It was a school in the latter half of the nineteenth century, and is now a private residence.

Windmill Point and Monument was the site of the declaration of Northern Van Diemens Land, declaring it a part of the realm of King George III back in 1804. There are countless other buildings of interest in George Town on Wellington, Sorell, Elizabeth and Macquarie Streets.

The best way to see the main town's historical attractions is by foot. This allows you to take in all of the sights at your own leisure. Beyond the town itself there are numerous other historical attractions spread over a few kilometres, and these include Christ Church, the Lighthouse, Marion Villa, Stone Wall, and Bermonsdey Cottage.

Other Attractions

The Mount George Lookout affords spectacular vistas of the area. See the 250 metre high restored semaphore mast, enjoy a game of golf on the 9 hole course in the town. Visit the wineries of Pipers Brook, Rochecombe and Heemskirk in the east district of George Town, and sample local vintages.

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