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An Explorer's Expedition

  • Standing tall on the banks of the Tamar River lies St Matthias Church, a gorgeous bluestone gothic chapel that is unpretentious in design, but it's beauty is undeniable. Built in 1842 the church is a heritage listed icon in Northern Tasmania.
  • A berry good day is in store today and the second port of call is Hillwood Berry Farm, a short 20 minute drive from Launceston. Pick your own berries to snack on during the day's outing or stay awhile and enjoy some treats at the farm gate cafe .
  • Travel further on to George Town, one of Australia's oldest settlements with a rich history, including attractions such as The Watch House, a museum depicting life in the 19th century. It features a wonderful model village which allows visitors to imagine what early nineteenth century life was like in George Town, and an acclaimed ‘Departures & Arrivals’ display describes the Female Factories and links to the convict experience.
  • The Bass and Flinders Centre located in central George Town, allows visitors the chance to get up close and personal to original and replica boats that were used by the explorers who set out to discover Van Diemen's Land. Housing one of Tasmania’s most varied collections of maritime artifacts, the museum showcases the replica Sloop Norfolk, James Kelly's whaleboat the Elizabeth, and the Admiral, the Kenneth Dickenson, the Tamar Class Melanie, the sabot Zephyr 2, rowing fours, canoes, and a tribute to solo round the would quest by Ken Gourley.
  • Or take a self guided tour of the historical sites of George Town and Low Head. Dating back to 1811 George Town and Low Head has a wealth of important historic sites. Grab a free brochure from the Visitor Information Centre.

Afternoon

  • Stop for some lunch and refuel before taking on your own exploration with the Kanamaluka trail! Winding and weaving along stunning coastline the 6km track stretches from George Town to the seaside village of Low Head. For the active, park your car and walk or cycle past sights such as Lagoon Beach, Windmill Point and York Cove. Bikes can be hired from the George Town Visitor Information Centre.
  • Low Head is a popular beachside destination for locals and its beaches and picnic spots are the place to see and be seen on a warm summer's day. In particular Lagoon Bay, where the Brig Venus was pirated by convicts and sailed away with all the supplies intended for settlements in the north and the south.
  • Discover more about the Tamar Rivers shipping past at the Low Head Maritime Museum. You can even ring the ships bell and send a message via Morse code!
  • Sweeping sea views can be seen from the headland next to the Low Head Lighthouse, an iconic structure for the area which was built in 1888.

Evening

  • Lap up a little more history and stay overnight at Low Head Pilot Station. Consisting of 9 self-contained cottages you can even imagine yourself as the caretaker of the lighthouse and indulge in a stay in the Keepers Cottage.
  • Get up close and personal with some of the locals, the little blue penguins, who retreat from the waters of Bass Strait to the beach every night. Under the care of a knowledgeable guide, all ages will be amazed by the habits and nature of the neighbourhood penguin colony.