Low Head is
a small hamlet / suburb of George Town located on a peninsula
by 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.