Things to do – History & Heritage

Maritime, Rural & Forest Heritage

Bligh Museum of Pacific Exploration

The Bligh Museum at Adventure Bay, Bruny Island is located on the shore of the place that has been a haven for many of the famous European navigators who explored and mapped Tasmania's southern coastline. In its displays, maps, paintings, documents and artifacts, the museum tells the stories of the explorers Tasman, Furneaux, Cook, Bligh, D’Entrecasteaux and Baudin who all sailed these waters during their great voyages of discovery.
More information at www.brunyisland.org.au

Channel Heritage Museum

On the outskirts of Snug, the Channel Heritage Museum is a multi-room complex set in spacious gardens. Displays focus on the history of the D’Entrecasteaux Channel district and include information, photographs and artifacts relating to the early scallop and timber industries, local schools, shipping and the devastating 1967 bushfires. A replica colonial kitchen, bedroom and bathroom show how the Channel’s early settlers lived.
More information at www.channelheritagemuseum.org.au

Apple and Heritage Museum

At Grove in an authentic Huon Valley apple shed, the Apple and Heritage Museum provides a comprehensive insight into the lives of the Huon Valley’s early settlers. Apple Blossom’s Gifts showcases a huge selection of gifts and souvenirs at great prices and lots of samples of local product, while the Starving Artist gallery features many talented local artists. There is a free picnic area and heritage apple orchard to explore.
More information at www.applemuseum.huonvalley.biz

 

Ida Bay Railway

Tasmania’s last narrow-gauge bush railway runs seven kilometres from Lune River down to the secluded Deep Hole anchorage where boats loaded cargoes of limestone and timber. Passing old township sites and running through attractive bushland and scenic coastline, the railway is a fascinating journey into the region’s history. Enjoy a swim or picnic at Deep Hole or take a short walk before making the return trip. There are walking tracks to Southport Lagoon and Southport Bluff, picnic and barbecue facilities at the beach and station. The café is open every day.
More Information at www.idabayrailway.com.au

Shot Tower

Located in  Hobart’s leafy southern suburb of Taroona. This slender 48 metre tower of sandstone was built in 1870. A rare example of 19th century industrial architecture, it was built for the manufacture of lead shot for ammunition. Molten lead was dropped through a sieve at the top, solidifying and hardening into pellets when it fell into water at the base of the tower. There are 291 steps to the top – the view of the Derwent Estuary is worth the effort.

Bruny Island & Recherché Bay

The coastlines on both sides of the southern D’Entrecasteaux Channel are rich in history. Before English settlement in the Derwent, French navigators and explorers were the first to sail in these waters and there are many French names for landmarks and features. In 1792, French admiral Bruni D’Entrecasteaux and his second-in command Huon de Kermadec anchored their ships Recherché and Esperance in a deep bay – their names now belong to an island, a channel, a river, a bay and a port. The Frenchmen had several friendly meetings with Tasmanian Aboriginal people during their stay. They built an observatory and planted a garden at Recherche Bay – the garden site has recently been discovered after more than 200 years. Another French sea captain, Nicholas Baudin explored the Channel waterways between Bruny Island and the Tasmanian mainland a few years later.

Tudor Court Village at Brookfield Vineyard

The model village was created by John Palotta in the early 1950s. John was unable to walk and had very limited use of his hands, in fact movement of only three digits in his right hand was possible. Despite this handicap, John spent 12 years making this beautiful display, making replicas of buildings he had known in England. The Tudor Court Village has been lovingly restored and is now housed upstairs at Brookfield Vineyard at Margate. German Model Train World built by Eric Sablowski has also been relocated to Brookfield and tours are run regularly. More information available at www.brookfieldvineyard.com.au

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