Sidmouth, Tasmania: Travel guide and things to do

Located 39 km northwest of Launceston near the western banks of the Tamar River, Sidmouth is a tiny, inconsequential town just beyond the western end of the Batman Bridge.

The Tamar River was explored as early as 1798 when Bass and Flinders entered the estuary. By 1804 both William Collins and Lieutenant Colonel Paterson had explored the river to the Cataract Gorge and by April, 1805 the first settlers were in the area. Settlers inevitably found land up and down the shores of the river. By the 1840s there were enough Scottish settlers around Sidmouth to start lobbying the government for a church.

Things to see

Auld Kirk
The greatest attraction in the area is the Auld Kirk (to find it take the first turn right when travelling across the Batman Bridge in a westerly direction and follow the signs) which was built by both convict and free labour in 1845-6. It was built after requests had been made from the local citizens who were helped by the first clergyman, Rev. Alexander McKenzie, who arrived in the area in 1843.

This Presbyterian church was built in a simple Regency Gothic Revival style with stone rubble walls, lancet windows and sandstone dressing around the windows. Its great appeal is its location. It sits on the bank above the Tamar River with views down river to the Batman Bridge.

There is a small lighthouse near the banks below the church. The church was badly damaged by fire in 1900 and church services in the restored church did not start again until 1920. At one point the ruins featured some trees which were growing inside the church.

Accommodation and Eating
There are no facilities in the town.