The Orford area - Spring Bay and Prosser Bay - was first explored by Europeans when the French sailor and adventurer, Nicholas Baudin, reached the area in 1802 and named it Port Montbazin. The first European settler was Major Thomas Lord who, as Commandant of Darlington Penal Settlement on Maria Island, decided to build a house which he called Okehampton. Around this time a number of whaling stations were established along the coast. These were temporary establishments but they did lead to the Municipality of Spring Bay being established in 1860.
Today the small town, which is easily accessible from Hobart, is a popular holiday destination in summer when people come to surf (the water is cold but the waves are good), fish and boat in the waters between the town and Maria Island.
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