Tamar Valley

Tamar Valley is a wonderful region to explore on a day trip or two and an easy 30 minutes drive from Tam O'Shanter Views. It runs 60km north from Launceston to Low Head on Bass Strait, offering delights such as tranquil captivating scenery, local fresh produce including berries and cheeses. It is also a premier wine producing area so there are many to visit, with cellar door sales and café/restaurants.

Wineries not to be missed include:

Tamar Ridge
Moores Hill Estate
Rosevears Estate
Moorilla Estates St. Matthias Vinyard

One of the many pleasures is a drive along the river front passing the wineries, historic Rosevears Hotel, the Batman Bridge– just experiencing the beautiful river vistas at a more tranquil pace. Gather your fresh produce, cheese and wine to enjoy at Tam O'Shanter Views.

Other attractions include:

River cruises
Sea Horse World at Beauty Point
Platypus House
Seal and Sea Adventure Tours
Hillwood Strawberry Farm
Penguin Tour at Low Head

Low Head

Low Head Pilot Station and Maritime Museum is well worth a visit with its maritime and communications memorabilia and artefacts recovered from wrecks. The Low Head Lighthouse is the third oldest light station in Australia, dating back to 1833. Just 5 minutesdrive from George Town. The famous Batman Bridge (see below) was built in the 1960's and is one of the world's first cable-stayed truss bridges– its' dominating feature being the steel A frame tower rising 100m in height.

George Town

George Town(1804) is the third oldest settlement by Europeans in Australia. John Batman sailed from George Town across Bass Strait in the sloop "Rebeccah" in 1835 to found what was to become the city of Melbourne. It is situated at the mouth of the Tamar River and borders Bass Strait and is a central location to explore this area. The Pier Hotel overlooks the river and the Bistro provides great meals in a modern setting. Catch the Shuttlefish Ferry over to Beauty Point, takea scenic flight, drive to the top of Mt. George or visit "The Grove", an elegant Georgian home which was once the Port Officers residence. Stock up on provisions while you are here and head back to Tam O'Shanter Views to continue your stay.

The Bass & Flinders Centre is the latest "must see" in George Town. It is now the home of the Norfolk and proudly displays her for all to view. In 1798 the explorers Bass and Flinders were dispatched to 'Tasmania' to ascertain if Tasmania was an island or not. They sailed with a crew of 8 in HM Colonial Sloop Norfolk right into the Tamar River and anchored off what is now George Town. In 1998 Bern Cuthbertson in the replica Norfolk re-enacted the Bass and Flinders journey. Like Bass and Flinders, Bern established a relationship with George Town and asked if she could be berthed on the banks of the Tamar.
The centre is open from 10.00am - 4.00pm and proudly displays the Norfolk for all to see.