Smithton, the principle town in the area of Circular Head in north western Tasmania, was named by explorers Flinders and Bass in 1798 after Peter Smith, and was the first settlement in the area. A key land owners in the area at this time was the Van Diemens Land Company(PEP), which flourished due to the demand for farm goods in Victoria and the Waratah mining area.

The Duck River Butter Factory was established here in 1904, and the Smithton Farm Board was founded 6 years later. A port was established at the beginning of the century, but due to tidal difficulties it never reached its full potential.

Evidence of Aboriginal activity in the area was discovered in 1971 in the Mt Cameron area. The carvings found were very similar to those discovered in central Australia. A Pollution Monitoring station was established on Cape Grim in the early 1980s, and the Van Diemens Land Company still owns and operates the Woolnorth property to the west of Smithton.

Today the mainstay of the economy is dairy farming and the production of vegetables. Fishing and timber milling are other important activities in the area. Smithton boasts a world class potato processing factory, vegetable freeze drying factory and the largest hardwood timber mill in the southern hemisphere. The area around Smithton is rich in dolomite deposits.


Natural Attractions

There are many ideal day trips available from Smithton to a variety of natural attractions.

Visitors to the Milkshakes Forest Reserve can wander through the impressive stands of native trees and observe the native birds and animals in their natural habitat.

Impressive views of the area can be obtained from Tier Hill. This reserve has a delightful picnic area, and whilst enjoying your picnic here, you will find yourself literally smothered in the natural environment, with eucalypts and manferns everywhere you look. The reserve can be reached from Smithton and through Trowutta. You will pass over the Tayatea Bridge, and 5 kilometres after this there is a right turn off which will take you directly into the reserve

Brickmaker's Bay Nature Trail is a lovely three kilometre trek through coastal forest behind the Circular Head Council's picnic area on the Bass Highway. The interestingly named Dismal Swamp Nature trail is anything but dismal. This is a blackwood swamp which commences from the lookout on the south side of the Bass Highway, three kilometres west of Togari. Be prepared with gumboots during the winter. The track is 1500 metres in length. Celery Top Pine Nature Trail is a loop trail five hundred metres in length, along which you will encounter marked features. It starts in Tayatea Road, one kilometre north of Tayatea Bridge.

The spectacular Dip Falls make an unforgettable photographic subject. There are some pretty impressive and very tall eucalypt trees to see here, with a walking track which will guide you to the largest of these trees. To get here you need to travel through Mawbanna, and a further one kilometre over the Dip River.

West Beckett Forest Reserve has a stunning ten metre waterfall. It is sixteen kilometres along the Sumac Road from Kanunnah Bridge, and left along Mount Bertha Road. Part of the walk is fairly steep and it leads you along a six hundred metre track to the falls.

Lake Chisholm Forest Reserve is very pleasantly set against a background of trees and rainforest, and of course Lake Chisholm is a major feature in this reserve. There is a gentle track, 500 metres in length which will lead you to the lake, where you may even be lucky enough to spot a platypus. The reserve is approached via the Sumac Road from Kanunnah Bridge. Along this same road you should definitely stop at Sumac Lookout. There is a fifty metre track leading to the lookout and picnic facilities.

The Dempster Lookout offers long views over the Dempster plains and forests. Given that the Smithton area is relatively flat, a visit here is one of the few opportunities you will get to see vast views of some of the area. The lookout is eighteen kilometres along the Sumac Road.

The Julius River Forest Reserve is the ideal place for quietly absorbing yourself in rainforest surroundings. The walking track here is 1300 metres and will take in the Julius River and plenty of rainforest. To get here travel along the Sumac Road for eight kilometres from Kanunnah Bridge.

Other Attractions

Visitors can arrange to take a tour of the timber mill and the potato processing factory in the town. Aquatic sports can be indulged in at nearby Duck Bay and at the mouth of Deep Creek and the Duck River. Leisure activities include golf, tennis, bowls and swimming in the town's heated pool.

A wombat tarn provides children's play facilities, excellent views of Smithton, bush walking trails and a picnic and barbecue area.

An aerial tour of the nearby islands of Hunter, Three Hummock and Robbins can be arranged from Smithton airport. Scenic flights can be arranged by King Aviation in Smithton.

Visit the Lacrum Dairy Farm, a 275 hectare functional dairy farm 6 kilometres from Smithton. See the herd of 550 cows being milked in the innovative 60 bale turnstile dairy, as well as viewing a video on the dairy industry in general and listening to an informative talk by a member of staff. Take the opportunity to enjoy some Tasmanian cheese over afternoon tea.

Nineteen kilometres out of Smithton is Montagu Blueberries, where you have the chance to pick your own berries from the end of December through to the end of January. Raspberries and Boysenberries are also available to be picked. All of the berries are grown without pesticides. It is located past Smithton airport on Montagu Road. Phone (004) for further details.

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