Beauty Point, Tasmania: Travel guide and things to do

Located 44 km north west of Launceston on the West Tamar Highway, Beauty Point is a tiny township originally established as the first deepwater port on the Tamar River and today the site of the Australian Maritime College.

Situated on Port Dalrymple (the mouth of the Tamar River) opposite George Town, Beauty Point lies in the heart of a rich sheep, cattle and vine-growing district although it is the port facilities which lie at the heart of the small town's economic life.

The original Beauty Point wharf, where the first deepwater vessels arrived, has been demolished and replaced by the Australian Maritime College which now houses over 100 residential students who study courses in seamanship and fishing. The college has two training vessels.

The town's first wharf was established in response to the growing importance of Beaconsfield which, as a result of the gold boom, was the third largest town in Tasmania.

Things to see

Attractions in the area
Today the main appeal of Beauty Point is as a base for fishing and water sports. The nearby villages of Kelso and Greens Beach are also popular resorts. It also claims to be the only place on the planet with a seahorse farm (http://www.seahorseworld.com.au/). Nearby is the Beaconsfield Gold Mine and Museum.