A small seaside village on the north coast of Tasmania that is a centre for scallop, trout and lobster fishing industries. Bridport has become a very popular holiday location with the population increasing markedly in summer. It has beaches, swimming, sailing and other water sports. A ferry operates from Bridport to Flinders Island.
Events
CWA MARKET
Bridport. Trading: 2nd Saturday of the month – 9am – 2pm
Type: General, Other. Phone: (03) 6356 1474
Where Is it?
Bridport is 85 km north east of Launceston, on Anderson Bay, Bass Strait.
Things To See And Do
Granite Point Conservation Area
Bridport Wildflower Reserve is part of Granite Point Conservation Area, where walking tracks lead through the reserve to Adams Beach. The flower reserve boasts one of the best displays of heath flowers in spring. The rocks of the Reserve are the same Devonian granites that occur from Wilsons Promontory in Victoria, through the Furneaux Islands and down Tasmania’s East Coast.
Flinders Island Ferry
A weekly ferry operates (departing Monday) from Bridport in Tasmania’s northeast to Lady Barron on Flinders Island, continuing to Port Welshpool in Victoria on demand. A return trip to Flinders Island from Bridport costs $97 per person. To take a vehicle costs from $515 to $926 (including driver), prices varying with vehicle size. The journey takes 8 1/2 hours one way; bookings essential (four to six weeks in advance). Southern Shipping Company, Main St, Bridport. Ph (03) 6356 3333.
Pipers River wine region
With its red basalt soil and a cool climate moderated by the proximity of Bass Strait, the small but significant Pipers River boutique wine region (26 km east) was established in 1974. With a climate close to that of Champagne in France, it is known simply as ‘Sparkling Tasmania’. Many of Tasmania’s premium sparkling wines originate here. It is particularly suited to the aromatic white varieties.
Surrounding Area
Barnbougle Dunes
Barnbougle Dunes (3 km north east) is a hidden gem and home to one of the world’s top Links golf courses. The golf links, built on undulating coastal dunes, is the work of famed golf architect Tom Doak and Australia’s Michael Clayton. The breathtaking landscape upon which the course has been created mirrors the wild coastal links courses of Scotland and Ireland and as Barnbougle continues to develop with age it looks set to follow in the footsteps of these great courses. Barnbougle Dunes has been ranked the No.1 public course in Australia and No.7 in the world.
Little Waterhouse Lake
Waterhouse Conservation Area
The Waterhouse Conservation Area in Tasmania's north-east contains many wetland communities, including three major permanent deep-water lagoons - Blackmans Lagoon and Big Waterhouse and Little Waterhouse lakes. Little Waterhouse Lake is listed under the Ramsar Convention as an internationally significant wetland. Waterhouse is popular place for camping, with several sites available. Other popular uses of the reserve include hunting, wildlife viewing, fishing, and recreational vehicle use. On the northern shore of Big Waterhouse Lake is a small camping area used mainly by duck shooters, but also sometimes by fishermen. No facilities are provided.
Village Green Camping Area
Village Green Camping Area has outstanding views across the passage to Waterhouse Island. Enjoy fishing, swimming and boating at this free campground. Access is from Homestead Rd, turning off 1.4 km east of the Herbies Landing turn-off. About 1 km in, the track splits; take the left fork, then it is 800 m to the camping area. A beach boat-launching site is nearby. Bring drinking water and firewood.
Major Attractions
