Just Tasmania .com
Low Head accommodation, restaurants, history, things to do

Low Head is a small hamlet / suburb of George Town located on a peninsula of the same name, at the mouth of the Tamar River.

In 1808, the Hebe was wrecked on the rocks at the mouth to the Tamar, thence giving them its name. Altogether, a dozen ships were wrecked in the Tamar over the next 100 years.

A signal station was set up at Low Head in 1805. It is Australia's oldest continuously used pilot station and the light station, established in 1833, was Australia's third and Tasmania's second. It was constructed of local rubble with a coat of stucco to make the structure durable and to provide a worthwhile landmark. The crown was built of freestone from Launceston.

The original apparatus was provided by a Mr. W Hart of Launceston. He supplied "six dozen lamps, including reflectors, at three shillings and sixpence each".

This first light was known as the 'Georgetown Station'.

The Pilot Station and Maritime Museum exhibits maritime and communication memorabilia.

The complex includes 10 rooms of maritime and communication memorabilia, including a complete deep diving suit, air pumps and artifacts recovered from wrecks.

While you are visiting the region you can take a guided tour of the penguin colony or a boat trip to see the seal colonies on the Bass Strait islands.

In 1996 the Iron Baron ran aground on Hebe Reef, off Low Head, causing the worst oil disaster in Australia's history.

The Chance Bros. 'Type G' diaphone foghorn at the Low Head Lighthouse is the only operable horn of its type and is popular with tourists. It is sounded at noon each Sunday.