Port Sorell

The seaside town of Port Sorell, on the Rubicon River estuary, is a quiet getaway, close to some of the best natural wildlife viewing opportunities in the state. Port Sorell has a population of 1,950, which increases significantly in the summer months when holidaymakers flock to camping grounds and shacks. Its boat ramp is the busiest on the north-west coast. Water sports include water skiing and sea kayaking, but if you prefer to keep dry, you can relax on the sandy dunes, fish from the floating pontoon, play a round of golf and one of the two local courses, or walk along the picturesque foreshore. Nearby are Shearwater, Hawley Beach and Freers Beach. At low tide it is possible to walk to Penguin Island and Rabbit Island and the latter a hideout for bushrangers in the mid-1800s. Just across the Rubicon are Narawntapu National Park, abounding in Forester kangaroos, wallabies, wombats, and even Tasmanian devils. At dusk, you can catch sight of little penguins scampering up the beach at Point Sorell. Port Sorell was established in 1822 by Lieutenant-Governor William Sorell and was once the largest town on Tasmania's north coast. The port traded in wattle bark, and thrived until it was outgrown by Devonport. Port Sorell even had a convict gaol on Watch House Hill, which was later replaced by a bowling green. Little evidence of Port Sorell's history remains, after the town was destroyed by bushfire. Climate is temperate at Port Sorell, reaching an average maximum of 21 degrees Celsius (70 degrees Fahrenheit) in January and 13 degrees Celsius (55.5 degrees Fahrenheit) in June. Port Sorell is 117 kilometres (72.5 miles) north of Launceston and a 20 minute drive east of Devonport.