| EAGLEHAWK NECK - TASMANIA 7179 | ||||
 | ||||
 The Tesselated Pavemant at Eaglehawk Neck. |
 |
Population: 233 Elevation: 15m Latitude: -43.0100 Longitude: 147.55.00 Location: 80km south east of Hobart Highway: Arthur Hwy A9 Nearest Major Town: Hobart Nearest Airport: Hobart Touring Area: Tasman Peninsula |
 |
 Statue of the guard dogs at Eaglehawk Neck |
|
Eaglehawk Neck is the narrow strip of land between the Forestier and Tasman Peninsulas and
separating Frederick Henry Bay and the South Pacific Ocean. Its existence was one of the considerations in selecting Port Arthur as the site for a penal settlement due to the ease of being able to patrol the narrow neck of land which contained the peninsula. Dogs were chained across the neck and guard posts established leaving the only unguarded access from the peninsula to the main island by swimming round the neck. This was discouraged by rumours of fierce, man-eating sharks infesting the waters. Mind you, I was there a few weeks ago at low tide and reckon I could nearly walk across. There were several excapes noted including the notorious bushranger Martin Cash. The coastline near Eaglehawk Neck is spectacular and views can be seen from the Tasman Lookout on the northern side. To the south of the neck, just east of the highway is the turn off to several natural features including the 'Blowhole' and 'Devils Kitchen'. The Lufra Hotel at Eaglehawk Neck is one of the best known in Tasmania and provides meals and accommodation. The Tesselated Pavement rock formations are directly opposite.
INFORMATION CENTRE: Port Arthur Visitor Information centre Port Arthur Historic Site. Ph: 6251 2371 HOW TO GET THERE: Coach Operators Redline: Ph: 1300 360 000 Greyhound Pioneer: 132 030 | |||||||||
 |
© Copyright Peter W. Wilkins | |