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Latrobe

Population 2846

Latrobe was once Tasmania's third largest settlement with inns, hotels, a hospital and no less than three newspapers in circulation. As it was the best place to cross the Mersey River, it became the highest-profile town on the north coast. Since the early 19th century, however, Latrobe has ceded its importance as a port town and relaxed into a gentler pace.

Visitor Information

48 Gilbert St; (03) 6421 4699

www.latrobetasmania.com.au

Nearby national parks

Nearby towns

  • Devonport

    Devonport, on the banks of the Mersey River, is the home port of the Spirit of Tasmania I and II. This vibrant seaport city is framed by...more

  • Port Sorell

    This holiday town on the Rubicon River enjoys a mild and sunny climate nearly all year-round. It was established in the early 1820s, but...more

  • Sheffield

    Inspired by the Canadian town of Chemainus, Sheffield has revitalised itself by commissioning artists to cover the town in murals...more

In Town

Australian Axeman's Hall of Fame This attraction honours the region's renowned axemen and details the role of the town in the creation of woodchop competition. Also featured at the facility is the Platypus and Trout Experience, including an interactive display of Tasmanian wildlife heritage. There is also a cafe and giftshop selling local crafts and souvenirs. 1 Bells Pde.Platypus tours: with a LandCare guide; check at visitor centre for departure times and cost; bookings on (03) 6426 1774. Court House Museum: located in a heritage building under the National Trust register with over 600 prints and photographs; open 1–4pm Tues–Fri, other times by appt; Gilbert St; (03) 6426 2777. Sherwood Hall Museum: original home of pioneering couple Thomas Johnson and Dolly Dalrymple; open 10am–4pm daily Oct–Mar, Tues and Thurs or by appt in other months; Bells Parade. Anvers Confectionery: factory of well-known Belgian chocolatier, this outlet has tastings and sales of premium chocolates, fudges and pralines; 9025 Bass Hwy. Sheean Memorial Walk: 3 km return walk commemorating local soldiers and WW II hero; Gilbert St. Bells Parade Reserve: beautiful picnic ground along riverbank where town's docks were once located; River Rd. Historical walk: starts at western end of Gilbert St and turns into Hamilton St.

Nearby

Warrawee Forest Reserve An excellent place for platypus viewing, swimming, bushwalking and barbecues. A 5 km walking track winds through sclerophyll forest and a boardwalk has been installed around the lake to allow disabled access to trout fishing. Tours are run by LandCare; bookings on (03) 6426 2877; 3 km S.Henry Somerset Orchid Reserve: over 40 native orchids and other rare flora; Railton Rd; 7 km S.

Fishing spots near town

Great Lake 86 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 more


Little Pine Lagoon 87 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 more


Lake River 90 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 more


Arthurs 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 more


Bronte System 107 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 more


St Helens 155 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 more


Salmon Ponds 175 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 more


Flinders Island 191 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 more


Twin Lakes 198 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 more


The Springs 198 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 more


Eco-friendly activities around town

Giant crayfish research, near Ulverstone 21 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 more


Hiking the Penguin to Cradle walk 32 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 more


Gunns Plains Cave 32 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 more


Trowunna Wildlife Park, Mole Creek 36 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 more


Low Head Penguin Tours 37 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 more


Creative Paper, Burnie 48 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 more


Tarkine Trails 57 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 more


The Overland Track 60 km

Deservedly the most well-known, multiday walking route in Australia, this 65- to 80-kilometre route through Cradle Mountain– Lake St Clair National Park is a classic (for national park information, see park entry... Find out more


Tamar Island 64 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 more


Forest Ecocentre, Scottsdale 93 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 more


Golf courses around town

Barnbougle Dunes Links 89 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 more


Barnbougle Dunes Links (Lost Farm course) 91 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 more


Tasmania Golf Club 197 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 more


Royal Hobart Golf Club 201 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 more


Cafes & restaurants around town

House of Anvers

When Belgian chocolate maker Igor Van Gerwen came to Tasmania he found the richest cream and butter in the world, perfect for making truffles and fudge. Visitors to his property just outside Latrobe can work up an... Find out more


Lucas Hotel

To find this place, just keep your eye out for the big platypus sculpture suspended above the door. If you want to see a live one, the Lucas Hotel can help as they have a resident platypus family living in the... Find out more


Nearby eco-friendly places to eat

Purple Possum Wholefoods and Cafe 153 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 more


Nearby breweries

Boag's (J.Boag & Son) 64 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 more


Iron House Brewery 163 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 more


Two Metre Tall Company 172 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 more


Moo Brew 188 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 more


Cascade Brewery 198 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 more


Campsites around town

Port Sorell Lions Club Caravan Park 14 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 more


Koybaa camping area 15 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 more


Bakers Point camping area 15 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 more


Springlawn camping area 18 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 more


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 more


Kentish Park camping area 23 km

This informal camping area on the eastern shore of beautiful Lake Barrington is 6 km from West Kentish. Busy when there are rowing events at the lake, at other times it’s a peaceful campground amid pretty scenery.... Find out more


Lake Barrington West 24 km

Lake Barrington is famous for its world-class rowing course, and while there are big crowds here for rowing championships, the rest of the time there’s peaceful camping, all-year angling and beautiful scenery.... Find out more


O’Neills Creek Reserve camping area 31 km

Next to the creek and rodeo ground, this pretty forest reserve has places for vans on short-term stays of 1 or 2 nights (2 night maximum), making it a perfect overnight stop on your way to Cradle Mountain–Lake St... Find out more


Riana Pioneer Park camping ground 35 km

Set among farmland and forested hills 15 km from Penguin, the tiny settlement of Riana is picture-postcard pretty. Its quiet little campground is on the left-hand side of the main road (Pine Rd B17), just past the... Find out more


Mole Creek Caravan Park 36 km

This riverside caravan park, just west of Mole Creek township, has plenty of attractions close by. Firstly there are Australia’s finest cave systems at Marakoopa and King Solomons cave, and then there are honey... Find out more


Caravan parks around town

Bay View Holiday Village 8 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 more


Abel Tasman Caravan Park 8 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 more


Port Sorell Lions Caravan Park 14 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 more


BIG4 Ulverstone Holiday Park 22 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 more


Wings Wildlife Park 31 km

Staying here is a different experience. There is trout fishing, bushwalking, kayaking, golf, and more. The park has good facilities including powered sites, but we would opt for the unpowered riverfront camping area. The... Find out more


Penguin Beachside Holiday Resort 33 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 more


BIG4 Kelso Sands Holiday Park 34 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 more


Low Head Tourist Park 37 km

A 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


Deloraine Apex Caravan Park 38 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 more


Discovery Holiday Parks – Cradle Mountain 55 km

Set in bushland just outside the World Heritage-listed Tasmanian wilderness area, this quality park has good facilities including a large recreation building with open fireplaces. It is a popular camping site for walkers... Find out more


Hotels, motels & B&Bs around town

Lucas Hotel

The historic 1872 Lucas Hotel is in the main street of Latrobe, part of the rich tapestry of a town that was the site of the first world woodchopping championship in 1891, and which is now home to the Australian... Find out more


Lucinda B&B

Lucinda B&B is a beautiful National Trust–classified Victorian mansion set on 2 hectares of parkland. This grand home was built in 1891 as a doctor’s residence and now offers sunny and spacious ensuite... Find out more


Sherwood View

Sherwood View is a B&B set on the peaceful surrounds of a 15-hectare pasture property with views over the Mersey River. It is only five minutes’ drive from the centre of Latrobe, but still has plenty of rural... Find out more


Eco-friendly places to stay around town

Mountain Valley, Loongana 42 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 more


Cradle Mountain Lodge 57 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 more


Waldheim Cabins 60 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 more


Curringa Farm 150 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 more


Rainbow Retreat 156 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 more


Peppermint Ridge Retreat, Woodbridge 224 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 more


Rest areas around town

Parramatta Creek Rest Area 14 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 more


Somerset Park Area 53 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 more


Wynyard Park Area 63 km

East side of town Small parking area on the foreshore. Good facilities. GPS: S40 59.408 E145 44.545... Find out more


Hellyer Gorge Rest Area 67 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 more


Fossey River Rest Area 71 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 more


Perth Park Area 73 km

North side of town Parking area adjacent to the highway. Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S41 34.286 E147 10.184... Find out more


Myrtle Park Camp Area 80 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 more


Sisters Beach Rest Area 80 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 more


Tullabardine Dam Rest Area 81 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 more


Sideling Lookout Park Area 85 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 more


Little Pine Lagoon Camp Area 86 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 more


Tullah Park Area 87 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 more


Jonah Bay Camp Area 90 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 more


Pumphouse Bay Camp Area 92 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 more


Scottsdale Rest Area 93 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 more


Rosebery Park Area 95 km

South side of town Large parking adjacent to the highway on the banks of the river at Stitt Park. Good facilities. GPS: S41 46.968 E145 32.403  ... Find out more


Brickmakers Beach 98 km

40 km W of Wynyard (R) or 27 km E of Smithton (L) Large grassed area adjacent to the highway on the foreshore. Limited shade. GPS: S40 51.121 E145 21.905... Find out more


Pegs Beach Camp Area 99 km

42 km W of Wynyard (R) or 25 km E of Smithton (L) Large open grassy campground adjacent to the highway on the foreshore. Limited shade. GPS: S40 51.111 E145 21.153... Find out more


Black River Camp Area 102 km

T/O 44 km W of Wynyard (R) or 23 km E of Smithton (L) Very large area with numerous secluded campsites located 1 to 5 kilometres off the highway in the scrub near the river. Limited facilities and shade. NOTE: Access... Find out more


Bronte Lagoon Rest Area 105 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 more


Lagoon 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 more


Conara Rest Area 108 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 more


Bradys Lake Camp Area 111 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 more


Blackburn Creek Rest Area 112 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 more


Franklin River Park Area 114 km

60 km SE of Queenstown (R) or 25 km NW of Derwent Bridge (L) Very small area adjacent to the highway. Good facilities and shade. GPS: S42 12.931 E146 01.214... Find out more


Lake Burbury Camp Area 114 km

20 km E of Queenstown (L) or 65 km W of Derwent Bridge (R) Large open grassed campground located 1 kilometre west of the highway near the lake. Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S42 05.789 E145 40.454... Find out more


Derby Park Area 116 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 more


Nive River Rest Area 118 km

44 km SE of Derwent Bridge (R) or 5 km N of Tarraleah (L) Small area adjacent to the highway on the riverbank. Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S42 17.921 E146 27.511... Find out more


Campbell Town Rest Area 118 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 more


Lake Burbury Rest Area 119 km

T/O 15 km E of Queenstown (R) or 70 km W of Derwent Bridge (L) Small area located at the boat ramp 4 kilometres south of the highway. Limited shade. GPS: S42 08.35 E145 39.10... Find out more


What's on around town

Markets: Gilbert St; 7am–2pm Sun.

Henley-on-the-Mersey regatta: Jan.

Chocolate Winterfest: July.

Latrobe Wheel Race: prestige cycling event; Dec.

Latrobe Gift footrace: Dec.

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