Beauty Point
Town
Population 1113
Beauty Point is the base for the Australian Maritime College and is also a good spot for fishing and yachting. The town's main attractions are Seahorse World and Platypus House.
Visitor Information
Tamar Visitor Centre, Main Rd, Exeter; (03) 6394 4454 or 1800 637 989
Nearby national parks
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Mole Creek Karst National Park
Over 200 caves make up the Mole Creek karst system. The national park comprises a dozen separate blocks, creating a park almost as complex...more -
Walls of Jerusalem National Park
Walls of Jerusalem, the fourth largest and the most remote national park in Tasmania, is a stunning landscape of huge rock faces, ancient...more -
Ben Lomond National Park
Ben Lomond National Park, enclosing the largest alpine plateau in the state, is a mountain environment with extensive and dramatic dolerite...more
Nearby towns
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Beaconsfield
Now a modest apple-growing centre in Tasmania's north, Beaconsfield was once the wealthiest gold town in Tasmania. Gold rush–era relics...more -
George Town
George Town is Australia's third oldest settlement, after Sydney and Hobart, and Tasmania's oldest town. European settlement can be traced...more -
Exeter
Exeter is a small community in Tasmania's north-east, best known for its scenic surroundings. It lies just north of Launceston, in the...more
In Town
Seahorse World The centre acts as a breeding farm for aquariums and the Chinese medicine market, but also studies endangered species to ensure their survival. Take a guided tour to see how seahorses are bred – newborns are the size of a child's fingernail. There's also a touch pool and expo centre for local wines and craft. Inspection Head Wharf, Flinders St; (03) 6383 4111.Platypus House This centre has 3 live displays: one with platypus and native beaver rats, another with Tasmanian butterflies, and a third with many Tasmanian leeches, blood-sucking worms and spiders. Scientists here are currently conducting research into a disease attacking the Tasmanian platypus population. Inspection Head Wharf, Flinders St; (03) 6383 4884.Sandy Beach: safe swimming spot.
Nearby
Narawntapu National Park This park is a popular spot for horseriding and waterskiing (conditions apply), and has excellent walks such as the 5 hr walk from Badger Head to Bakers Beach. Contact Parks & Wildlife Service on 1300 135 513; access via Greens Beach or via Badger Head or Bakers Beach rds.York Town monument: site marks the first settlement in northern Tasmania (1804); 10 km W. Kelso and Greens Beach: popular holiday towns to the north-west.
Fishing spots near town
Lake River 83 km
‘Tasmania is in drought, we simply don’t have enough water,’ said my guide Roger Butler as we departed Hobart for Lake River, which joins the Macquarie River south of Launceston. We reached our... Find out moreGreat Lake 92 km
A year-round trout fishery, Great Lake is one of Tasmania’s best known waters and a thriving centre for holiday homes. Brown trout were first released here in 1870 and they still dominate the fishery with an... Find out moreArthurs Lake 92 km
Tasmanians claim that ‘even novices can catch trout in Arthurs Lake’. This probably explains why this waterway is Tasmania’s most popular trout fishery, hosting more anglers than any other water... Find out moreLittle Pine Lagoon 96 km
Little Pine Lagoon is not much to look at, but is highly regarded by fly-fishers for its springtime tailing trout and summer dun hatches. Some anglers rate it Tasmania’s premier fly-fishing water. This small water... Find out moreBronte System 118 km
Trout anglers probably already know that Tasmania’s Central Highland lakes are among the best in the world. Many offer fly- fishers an opportunity to sight-fish for tailing trout around the lake margins.... Find out moreSt Helens 123 km
Most mainlanders once regarded Tasmania’s east coast seaport of St Helens as a gamefishing destination, and little else. Anglers came here to head offshore in search of marlin, tuna and sharks. However, the... Find out moreFlinders Island 159 km
Flinders Island is halfway across Bass Strait. Air travel to the island is limited but it’s worth the effort. Most anglers who visit the island and sample the fishing return full of praise for the place. Flinders... Find out moreSalmon Ponds 178 km
Most Australian trout anglers regard Tasmania as the nation’s premier trout destination. It’s like Tasmania was purpose-designed for trout, with hundreds of lakes and a cooler climate. Mother Nature... Find out moreTwin Lakes 189 km
I always thought the title of John Gierach’s entertaining book Where the Trout are all as Long as your Leg was a little farfetched, until I realised it related to a time when he was five years old. I am a little... Find out moreThe Springs 196 km
Visitors to Hobart who are short on time can get a trout fix less than 20 mins’ drive from the CBD at an exclusive fishery called The Springs. It is a year-round fishery and is restricted to a maximum of two... Find out moreEco-friendly activities around town
Low Head Penguin Tours 10 km
Every night at dusk this comprehensive but inexpensive tour takes visitors to a little penguin-nesting site near the mouth of the Tamar River, where you can watch the penguins waddle ashore to return to their nests. The... Find out morePlatypus Encounters, Latrobe 35 km
Three brothers almost single-handedly turned an old quarry site into one of the most reliable places in the world to see wild platypus. In fact, the guided tours have never failed to encounter a platypus in Warrawee... Find out moreTamar Island 41 km
This important wetland habitat just 10 minutes from the heart of Launceston features a great bird-viewing hide, 3.2 kilometres of easy walking tracks and an interpretation centre.... Find out moreGiant crayfish research, near Ulverstone 54 km
Tasmania has the largest freshwater crayfish in the world, and they can grow up to a metre in length, with claws that could cut a person’s hand off. You can go out on a research trip with the world’s expert... Find out moreTrowunna Wildlife Park, Mole Creek 56 km
One of the most respected and long-running wildlife parks in Tasmania, Trowunna is involved in conservation, education and rehabilitation. There is a wide range of wildlife on display, including devils, reptiles, quolls... Find out moreForest Ecocentre, Scottsdale 58 km
The uniquely designed building is probably the key attraction here. Designed to use 20 per cent less energy than conventional structures, it has a building within a building, with a central funnel and large fan. Learn... Find out moreHiking the Penguin to Cradle walk 63 km
If you want to embark on a little-known, but highly varied Tasmanian bushwalk, try part or the entire 80-kilometre Penguin to Cradle walk. It starts at the coast, goes through a mix of rural areas, woodlands, canyons,... Find out moreGunns Plains Cave 67 km
Located just south-west of Gunns Plains (some 23 kilometres south-west of Ulverstone), this is yet another great limestone cave. It has one of the largest shawl formations in the Southern Hemisphere, glow worms aplenty... Find out moreCreative Paper, Burnie 78 km
Make your own paper with recycled bits and pieces on a half-hour tour at this non-profit, community-based enterprise. They use all sorts of odds and ends to make their eco-friendly papers, including old jeans, fruit pulp... Find out moreTarkine Trails 83 km
Delve deeply into the temperate rainforest of the Tarkine Wilderness on a multi-day bushwalk with Tarkine Trails. Unashamedly made up of conservation activists, the company is keen to show you why the Tarkine area should... Find out moreGolf courses around town
Barnbougle Dunes Links 54 km
Bridport used to be a sleepy fishing village on Tasmania’s north-east coast. That all changed in 2004. In December of that year Barnbougle Dunes Links opened for play on the eastern outskirts of town – and... Find out moreBarnbougle Dunes Links (Lost Farm course) 56 km
When Barnbougle Dunes opened for play in 2004 it did have a few critics who suggested it was too far away from the golfing masses to be financially successful. How wrong they were. If a golf course is good enough,... Find out moreTasmania Golf Club 193 km
The challenge a golf course presents can often be measured by the quality of player it produces. At Tasmania Golf Club, the name Goggin crops up regularly on the honour boards. Lindy Goggin, a three-time Australian... Find out moreRoyal Hobart Golf Club 197 km
Royal Hobart Golf Club has come a long way from humble beginnings. It started out at Sandy Bay, not far from where Wrest Point Casino stands today, in 1896. Known as the Newlands course, it was an incredible par- 89:... Find out moreCafes & restaurants around town
With tables inside and out over two levels, a wide selection of wines by the glass and homemade cheesecake flavours changing daily, there is something for everyone in this casual, family-friendly restaurant. An... Find out more
Nearby eco-friendly places to eat
Purple Possum Wholefoods and Cafe 124 km
Purple Possum is in the great little town of St Marys, midway between St Helens and Bicheno. The cafe is wholly vegetarian, and you can take away a range of organic fruit and vegetables and locally grown supplies.... Find out moreNearby breweries
Boag's (J.Boag & Son) 41 km
With several different owners over the past 100 years, J. Boag and Son typifies the sometimes turbulent history of Australian brewing and the minor miracle of surviving at all into the 21st century. Scotsman James Boag... Find out moreIron House Brewery 133 km
When White Sands Resort came on the market a few years ago it proved too tempting for Devonport businessman John White, who already runs several companies bearing his surname. Rebranded as White Sands Estate, the... Find out moreTwo Metre Tall Company 175 km
Ashley Huntington actually is 2 metres tall – probably taller if you include his mop of curly hair – and his generous height is also the name for the craftbrewing enterprise he runs from the Derwent... Find out moreMoo Brew 187 km
With its striking, glass and steel brewhouse perched high above the Derwent River, Moo Brew is probably the best-appointed microbrewery in the land. It’s also part of Moorilla Estate, situated on the outskirts of... Find out moreCascade Brewery 197 km
It’s impossible not to wax lyrical about the Cascade Brewery. It is the oldest working brewery in the country, one of the quaintest-looking industrial buildings and it’s located in the most picturesque of... Find out moreCampsites around town
Horse Yards camping area 18 km
A 26 km horseriding trail leads from this camping area, but you must camp nearby and give the ranger 48 hours’ notice before you can bring your horse into the park. Narawntapu is 40 km east of Devonport via the... Find out moreSpringlawn camping area 19 km
This is the place to head to in the park if you have a large rig and need power. It also has the best facilities and is only 100 m past the ranger station and visitor centre, so it’s just a short walk to join one... Find out moreBakers Point camping area 21 km
On the point by Springlawn beach, this large camping area has 36 sites – 16 suitable for larger rigs – a portable toilet waste collection point and a boat launching area. There’s excellent fishing in... Find out moreKoybaa camping area 22 km
This camping area at Griffiths Point, 4 km past the ranger station, has 12 small sites surrounded by scrub. They are suitable only for tent-based camping because you have to carry your gear in past a row of... Find out morePort Sorell Lions Club Caravan Park 22 km
This large caravan park is close to shops and just a short walk from the foreshore of the Rubicon Estuary, with its sheltered beach and lovely views of Narawntapu National Park. The safe swimming beach and kids... Find out moreBellingham Coastal Reserve camping area 32 km
Between Pipers River and Bellingham dunes, this undeveloped camping area offers a great surf beach, excellent birdwatching and a sheltered estuary with very good fishing. The campsites are tucked into the coastal scrub... Find out moreLilydale Falls Reserve camping area 34 km
In the middle of Tasmania’s north-eastern wine region, 2.5 km north of the little township of Lilydale on Golconda Rd B81, this pleasant campground has shady sites beneath a parkland of mature trees. The... Find out moreAndy’s Motorhome and Camper Park 41 km
Behind Westbury’s 24 hr bakery cafe, this motorhome park is a convenient stopover 30 min from Launceston, with great facilities including a laundry, dump point and wireless hotspot. While you’re here, check... Find out moreMyrtle Park Recreation Ground 49 km
This delightful camping area is next to the pretty St Patricks River in the little township of Targa, about halfway between Launceston and Scottsdale on the Tasman Hwy A3. The camping area is beside riverbank willows,... Find out moreBridport Caravan Park 51 km
This is like one of those caravan parks you remember from the past, when summer was just sun, sand and swimming. Set up camp among the trees, nip over to the beach for a long lazy swim with the kids, then enjoy the... Find out moreCaravan parks around town
BIG4 Kelso Sands Holiday Park 8 km
The park is set on a large expanse of grassy, maintained grounds and includes a small golf course. It has good amenities, a wellstocked store and a great outlook over the broad estuary of the River Tamar. Wombats... Find out moreA lot of recent development has transformed this into an attractive park. There are large grassy areas, and most facilities for the discerning traveller are here. Bookings are required in peak periods.... Find out more
Port Sorell Lions Caravan Park 22 km
This popular beachfront park is owned and operated by the Lions Club. It is close to the centre of town, adjacent to the boat ramp and ideal for family holidays. It is an easy drive to the Devonport ferry terminal from... Find out moreBay View Holiday Village 37 km
Close to the beach on the east side of Devonport, this park is just a short drive to the Spirit of Tasmania ferry terminal. Bookings are required in peak periods.... Find out moreAbel Tasman Caravan Park 38 km
Located just a couple of blocks from the Spirit of Tasmania terminal, this park has obvious benefits for those arriving or departing by the boat. The park has sites to cater for all size rigs and is ideal for a longer... Find out moreTreasure Island Caravan Park 43 km
Launceston has just this one caravan park. It is about 2 km south of the city centre and is easily accessible from the freeway when approaching from the south. The park has good facilities and is a good base to use when... Find out moreDeloraine Apex Caravan Park 44 km
With good facilities, this park is about a oneand- a-half hour drive to Cradle Mountain and about half that to Great Lake. There are good bushwalks in the area. Bookings are required in peak periods.... Find out moreBIG4 Ulverstone Holiday Park 54 km
This is a good quality park with spacious grassy areas and a range of facilities, about 1 km from the town centre and close to the surf club on East Beach. Bookings are required in peak periods.... Find out moreLongford Riverside Caravan Park 54 km
This park, with good amenities, is located on the banks of the Macquarie River, only a few hundred metres from the centre of town. Bookings are required in peak periods.... Find out morePenguin Beachside Holiday Resort 64 km
This beachfront park at the western end of town has undergone a makeover. The waterfront sites have been refurbished and the park restaurant should soon be back. Bookings are required in peak periods.... Find out moreHotels, motels & B&Bs around town
This elegant house built in the early 1900s has undergone a complete transformation, with no expense spared, and is now a luxury retreat for exclusive use of guests seeking a private haven away from home. There are three... Find out more
With names inspired by great lovers and gardeners from Roman and Greek mythology, these three Federation-style modern cottages in a garden of fruit trees and vines are perfect for a luxury romantic holiday. The intention... Find out more
Almost at the end of the road north, this elevated contemporary beach house surrounds its guests with glass so that every room – including the solarium – is filled with views of the sky and the sea. Two queen... Find out more
This rambling country mansion surrounded by manicured lawns is a grand private hotel at the northern end of the Tamar Valley, close to Narawntapu National Park but still within easy reach of the valley’s famous... Find out more
Eco-friendly places to stay around town
Mountain Valley, Loongana 76 km
Mountain Valley is off the beaten tourist track, situated around 64 kilometres south-west of Devonport (due south of Burnie). Visitors here stay in rustic cabins with open fireplaces on a private and remote 60-hectare... Find out moreCradle Mountain Lodge 89 km
Live in the lap of luxury – old style – with a warm and welcoming central lodge, surrounded by individual cabins. Like nearly any large lodge, it does not have a perfect environmental record, but this... Find out moreWaldheim Cabins 91 km
You can steal a march on everyone else in the morning by staying in historic cabins at a beautiful spot within Cradle Mountain–Lake St Clair National Park, operated by the Parks and Wildlife Service. The cabins are... Find out moreRainbow Retreat 126 km
The owners of this 30-hectare nature reserve at St Marys are wildlife carers who rehabilitate then release wildlife on the property, so there are plenty of their old friends wandering around, including wombats,... Find out moreCurringa Farm 155 km
Near Hamilton, about an hour’s drive west of Hobart, this eco-accredited 300-hectare property gives visitors a taste of sustainable farming practices.Give a couple of day’s notice and you can tour the farm,... Find out morePeppermint Ridge Retreat, Woodbridge 226 km
Even without the stunning views over the D’Entrecasteaux Channel from 6-metre-high windows, the pademelons that hop around, or the free-range eggs and organic vegetable garden that guests are allowed to raid in... Find out moreRest areas around town
Parramatta Creek Rest Area 31 km
26 km NW of Deloraine (L) or 17 km SE of Latrobe (R) Pleasant area just off the highway among some large trees on the bank of the creek. Good facilities and shade. GPS: S41 19.830 E146 31.826 ... Find out moreMyrtle Park Camp Area 49 km
31 km SW of Scottsdale (R) or 31 km NE of Launceston (L) Large grassed camp area just off the highway on the banks of St Patrick’s River. Kiosk and telephone nearby. Good facilities and shade. GPS: S41 18.664... Find out moreSideling Lookout Park Area 52 km
17 km SW of Scottsdale (L) or 45 km NE of Launceston (R) Small area adjacent to the highway with good views over the surrounding countryside. Good facilities. GPS: S41 15.440 E147 25.844... Find out morePerth Park Area 55 km
North side of town Parking area adjacent to the highway. Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S41 34.286 E147 10.184... Find out moreScottsdale Rest Area 59 km
East side of town Large area just off the highway. Very good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S41 09.977 E147 31.380... Find out moreDerby Park Area 82 km
North side of town Small parking area adjacent to the highway on the banks of the river. Good facilities and shade. GPS: S41 08.517 E147 47.843 ... Find out moreSomerset Park Area 84 km
Middle of town Small parking area at the junction with Murchison Highway on the banks of Cam River. Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S41 02.487 E145 50.329... Find out moreJonah Bay Camp Area 89 km
T/O 13 km SE of Miena (L) or 43 km NW of Bothwell (R) Large area in a natural bush setting on edge of the lake 10 kilometres north of the highway via Poatina Road and Gunns Marsh Road. NOTE: Access road part... Find out moreConara Rest Area 91 km
11 km N of Campbell Town (L) or 37 km S of Perth (R) Large area just off the highway on the road into town. Good facilities and shade. GPS: S41 49.805 E147 26.332... Find out moreWynyard Park Area 93 km
East side of town Small parking area on the foreshore. Good facilities. GPS: S40 59.408 E145 44.545... Find out morePumphouse Bay Camp Area 94 km
T/O 13 km SE of Miena (L) or 43 km NW of Bothwell (R) Large open area on edge of the lake 6 kilometres north of the highway via Poatina Road. NOTE: Access road part unsealed. GPS: S41 59.977 E146 51.076... Find out moreLittle Pine Lagoon Camp Area 95 km
T/O at Miena via Marlborough Highway Small camping area located 12 kilometres south-west of Miena. NOTE: Access road part unsealed. GPS: S42 00.005 E146 36.661... Find out moreHellyer Gorge Rest Area 102 km
40 km S of Somerset (L) or 66 km N of Tullah (R) Pleasant area adjacent to the highway surrounded by forest. Good facilities and shade. GPS: S41 16.409 E145 36.908 ... Find out moreCampbell Town Rest Area 103 km
South side of town Large grassed area just off the highway on the banks of the river. Limited shade. GPS: S41 55.922 E147 29.372... Find out moreFossey River Rest Area 106 km
67 km S of Somerset (L) or 39 km N of Tullah (R) Large area just off the highway surrounded by forest. Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S41 27.048 E145 37.263... Find out moreLagoon of Islands Rest Area 106 km
T/O 20 SE of Miena (L) or 36 km NW of Bothwell (R) Large area located 4 kilometres east of the highway (turn off at Steppes) on the shores of the lake. NOTE: Access road unsealed. GPS: S42 06.677 E146 56.163... Find out moreSisters Beach Rest Area 109 km
T/O 13 km NW of Wynyard (R) or 54 km SE of Smithton (L) Small shady area on the foreshore 8 kilometres north of the highway. Very good facilities and shade. GPS: S40 55.007 E145 33.714... Find out moreRoss Park Area 112 km
South side of town Very small area at the historic bridge well off the highway on the road into the township. GPS: S42 01.876 E147 29.401... Find out moreBlackburn Creek Rest Area 113 km
29 km SE of Miena (R) or 27 km NW of Bothwell (L) Large open area adjacent to the highway. Limited shade. GPS: S42 10.356 E146 54.285... Find out moreTullabardine Dam Rest Area 114 km
T/O 105 km S of Somerset (L) or 1 km N of Tullah (R) Large area 6 kilometres east of the highway at the dam. GPS: S41 41.127 E145 39.388... Find out moreBronte Lagoon Rest Area 117 km
28 km SE of Derwent Bridge (R) or 21 km N of Tarraleah (L) Small area adjacent to the highway on the shores of the lagoon. GPS: S42 10.777 E146 30.033... Find out moreTullah Park Area 120 km
Off the main street into town (opposite shopping centre) Large parking area on the shores of Lake Rosebery. Limited shade. GPS: S41 44.172 E145 36.947 ... Find out moreScamander Forest Camp Area 122 km
T/O at Beaumaris Small camp area 11 kilometres west of Beaumaris via Skyline Drive among trees on Trout Creek. Good shade. GPS: S41 26.114 E148 13.532... Find out moreBradys Lake Camp Area 122 km
36 km SE of Derwent Bridge (L) or 13 km N of Tarraleah (R) Small open grassy area located 1 kilometre off the highway on the shores of the lake. No facilities or shade. GPS: S42 13.920 E146 29.820... Find out moreSt Helens Park Area 123 km
South side of town on the foreshore Small parking area on the foreshore adjacent to the highway. Good facilities. GPS: S41 20.455 E148 15.812... Find out moreCosy Corner North Camp Area 123 km
T/O at St Helens via Binalong Bay Road Large camp area in a natural bush setting near the foreshore 15 kilometres north-east of St Helens via Binalong Bay Road and Garden Road. Good shade. GPS: S41 13.302 E148 16.924... Find out moreCosy Corner South Camp Area 123 km
T/O at St Helens via Binalong Bay Road Large camp area in the scrub on the foreshore 14 kilometres north-east of St Helens via Binalong Bay Road and Garden Road. GPS: S41 13.532 E148 16.977 ... Find out moreSwimcart Beach Camp Area 123 km
T/O at St Helens via Binalong Bay Road Small camp area on the foreshore 13 kilometres north-east of St Helens via Binalong Bay Road and Garden Road. GPS: S41 13.729 E148 17.053... Find out moreMoulting Bay Camp Area 123 km
T/O at St Helens via Binalong Bay Road Large campground in the scrub near the foreshore 7 kilometres north-east of St Helens and 1 kilometre south of Binalong Bay Road. Good shade. NOTE: Access road part unsealed. ... Find out moreJeanneret Beach Camp Area 124 km
T/O at St Helens via Binalong Bay Road Small camp area on the foreshore 12 kilometres north-east of St Helens via Binalong Bay Road and Garden Road. NOTE: Campervans only. GPS: S41 14.220 E148 17.435... Find out moreWhat's on around town
Three Peaks Race: 3-day sailing and mountain-climbing event that begins in town each Easter, heading north to Flinders Island, then south down the east coast to Hobart.