Rosevears, Tasmania: Travel guide and things to do

The pretty village of Rosevears is located on the western banks of the Tamar River 18 km north of Launceston. It is part of a pleasant riverside drive which encompasses wetlands (with lots of birdlife including impressive black swans) and the quite outstanding Matthew Brady Lookout which affords outstanding views across the Tamar Valley.

The village was originally established a ship building port and there is a plaque on the water's edge where the Rebecca, the boat which carried John Batman across Bass Strait in 1835 and led to the creation of Melbourne, was built. Ask at the Rosevears Tavern for directions.

Things to see

Rosevears Waterfront Tavern
The only major building in residential Rosevears is the historic Rosevears Waterfront Tavern, built in 1831, which has excellent views across the Tamar Valley. The Tavern offers both meals and drinks and it is easy, when it is not crowded, to get a window seat where you can watch the boats and the birdlife.

Waterbird Haven Trust
Located about 5 km south of Rosevears (on the edge of suburban Launceston) this is the best, and most well organised, way to experience the rich bird life which inhabits the mudflats and banks of the Tamar River. It is equally true that the enterprising bird watcher can simply wander along the banks and, wherever there are reeds, there is a ready supply of birdlife.

Brady's Lookout
A few kilometres west of Rosevears (it is clearly signposted north of the Rosevears Waterfront Tavern) on the West Tamar Highway is Brady's Lookout. It is a delightful irony that this rocky outcrop, once used by the bushranger Matthew Brady to spy on possible victims on the road below, is now a panoramic lookout across the Tamar Valley complete with picnic and toilet facilities.