This town is located 50 kilometres from Triabunna on the east coast of Tasmania. A seaside resort overlooking the Great Oyster Bay and the nearby Freycinet National Park, Swansea is the capital of the oldest municipality in Australia, Glamorgan.

Eventually named after its Welsh counterpart, Swansea was originally called Great Swanport, and then Waterloo Point, following the founding of a military garrison in the town in 1827.

The first settlement occurred in the 1820s, and one of the first land owners in the area was George Meredith, who had previously explored the area prior to settling there. Meredith and his entourage sailed up from Hobart and decided to choose land on the Meredith River and at Cranbrook. Families followed in his path, and began to arrive in large numbers to settle in the area.

Bay whaling stations were established in the area during the 1830s, and several of the buildings constructed in the early settlement days survive to this day, thus earning Swansea the title of National Trust Historic Town. Today Swansea offers a mix of historic, cultural and natural attractions to enthral the visitor.


Museums and Historic Sites

An historic walk through the town is the best way to explore the numerous old buildings, most of which are still in use as residences, tea rooms and shops. Particular highlights include Morris' Store (1834), the Swan Inn (1841), the Glamorgan Council Chambers, established in 1860, and All Saints Church built in 1860.

The Swan Inn was known as Schouten House, and was purchased in 1850 by Thomas Large, who wanted to use it as a brewery. He was very unfortunate though, for as he was unloading his family's possessions to move in, a fierce storm erupted, resulting in the death of six of the children. Following this the family chose to return to Hobart.

The Glamorgan Community Centre was established in 1866 as a school, and houses the only over sized snooker table in Australia. There is also a museum in the centre which documents the history of the town and locality.

The Swansea Bark Mill, built in 1885 to process black wattle bark for use in the leather tanning process, ceased operation in 1935, and has been fully restored as Australia's only authentic restored Wattle Bark Mill. You will also find here the East Coast Museum, which presents some fascinating information on the early settlers. There is a collection of old farm machinery and a souvenir shop. The address is 96 Tasman Highway, phone (002) 57 8382. It is open every day from 9am until 5pm, and closed Christmas Day.

Spiky Bridge is about a 10 minute drive from Swansea. The bridge itself is not really a bridge, nor does it lie over a body of water - in fact it is believed that there has never been a permanent river or stream in the area at all. The structure was convict built for Edward Carr Shaw (a local resident) in 1843, who was insistent that a bridge be built over what he deemed to be a 'treacherous gully'. The Spiky Bridge, aptly named for the spiky look of the local basalt that was used to construct it, was in fact built to fill in the gully, not simply to allow passage over it. The bridge is on the side of the main road, and allows magnificent views over Great Oyster Bay.

Other Attractions

A number of short excursions can be made from Swansea to nearby places of interest such as Duncombes Lookout, and the vineyards at Cranbrook for some local wine tasting.

Further afield, half and full day trips are available to places such as Thumbs Lookout, Bicheno, Maria Island, and Freycinet National Park. Sports such as swimming, golf, tennis, fishing and bowls can be indulged in.

The Swansea Wine and Wool Centre is open daily for visits by the public.

A variety of general stores, antique shops and arts and crafts stores and tearooms abound in Swansea, and provide ample opportunity for visitors to purchase a unique memento of their visit to this picturesque little town.

Just eight kilometres north of Swansea you will find Riversdale, a delightful Tea Gardens offering morning and afternoon tea, as well as light lunches. It is set in one acre of gardens and lovely large trees, and also features the Riversdale Flourmill which dates back to 1825. It is located along the Tasman Highway, phone (002) 57 8650. It is open from Wednesday to Sunday from 10am until 4.30pm.

Natural Attractions

The Thumbs Lookout provides superb views of the area, and visitors to the Sandspit Forest Reserve can walk through a rainforest which is over 5,000 years old. Maria Island reserve can be visited by taking a ferry from Triabunna. Surfing can be enjoyed at Waterloo Point; other watersports such as sailing and windsurfing can be indulged in at nearby Lake Leake. The Swan River has many excellent fishing spots along its length. Freycinet National Park has many scenic walking trails, with a highlight being the trail to Wineglass Bay Lookout.

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