Bicheno
was first mentioned in any official records when it was
called Waubs Harbour, so named after Wauba Debar, an aboriginal
who was stolen from her tribe as a teenager to become a
"sealer's woman". Her bravery in rescuing two
sealers in a storm is commemorated by a headstone which
is today located near the town's tennis courts.
After
1803, Waubs Harbour was used as a whaling port and renamed
Bicheno after James Ebenezer Bicheno, the British Colonial
Secretary for Van Diemen's Land 1843–51.
Bicheno was famous for his girth. It was said that he could
fit three full bags of wheat into his trousers. Bicheno
died in Hobart in 1851 and bequeathed his substantial library
to Tasmania. It was incorporated into the first Tasmanian
Library.
Coal
was discovered at Denison River in around 1848 and Bicheno
Harbour was expanded to allow for the export of this coal
which arrived at the port via a 5 kilometre horse drawn
railway.
After
1855 with the phasing out of the coal mine, the town reverted
to being a modest fishing village with substantial quantities
of crayfish, abalone, scallops and trevally. In recent times
it has become a popular tourist destination, with a range
of accommodation, craft shops, two small aquaria, and a
visitor centre. Visitors are also attracted to the Little
Penguin colony on adjacent Diamond Island.
Just
off the coast to the north of Bicheno is the Diamond Island
Nature Reserve. It is possible to walk across from the mainland
at low tide. The island is home to large numbers of fairy
penguins. It is a popular walk for visitors.
A
footway, constructed for Australia's bicentennial in 1988,
extends from Redbill Point north of Bicheno, to the blowhole
at the south. Whalers Lookout provides good views, and in
October and November, gorgeous rock orchids native to the
east coast.
Natureworld
on the northern side of the town offers an opportunity to
see the diverse fauna of the region including Forester kangaroos,
Bennett's wallabies, Tasmanian devils, Cape Barren Geese
and pelicans and features the Tassie devil Interpretation
Centre.
Bicheno
is approximately two hours drive from both Hobart and Launceston.
Bicheno
has mild weather, with an average maximum of 21 degrees
Celsius (70 degrees Fahrenheit) in January and 14.5 degrees
Celsius (48 degrees Fahrenheit) in June
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