Port Sorell
Town
Population 2209
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 sadly, many of its oldest buildings were destroyed by bushfires. The port is now a fast-developing coastal retreat for retirees and beach lovers.
Visitor Information
Latrobe Visitor Centre, River Rd, Bells Pde, Latrobe
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 -
Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park
Cradle Mountain–Lake St Clair National Park is an unforgettable landscape of rugged peaks, perfect lakes, icy cascades and alpine...more
Nearby towns
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Latrobe
Latrobe was once Tasmania's third largest settlement with inns, hotels, a hospital and no less than three newspapers in circulation. As it...more -
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 -
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
In Town
The jetty: good fishing for cocky salmon, mullet, flathead, cod and bream. There are views to Bakers Beach and Narawntapu National Park. Behind caravan park on Meredith St. Port Sorell Conservation Area: 70 ha of coastal reserve with much flora and fauna. Guided tours available; bookings on (03) 6428 6072; Park Espl. Estuary: boating and safe swimming areas.
Nearby
Shearwater: holiday town with shopping centre and good beach access; 5 km N. Hawley Beach: safe swimming, good fishing and historic Hawley House (1878) offering meals; 6 km N. Walk: 6 km return track from Port Sorell to Hawley Beach, offering excellent views of Narawntapu National Park and coastline. Starts at beach end of Rice St.
Fishing spots near town
Lake River 91 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 91 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 moreLittle Pine Lagoon 93 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 moreArthurs Lake 95 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 moreBronte System 114 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 145 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 177 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 180 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 199 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 201 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
Platypus Encounters, Latrobe 14 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 moreLow Head Penguin Tours 24 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 moreGiant crayfish research, near Ulverstone 31 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 moreHiking the Penguin to Cradle walk 41 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 moreTrowunna Wildlife Park, Mole Creek 45 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 moreGunns Plains Cave 45 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 56 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 moreTamar Island 57 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 moreTarkine Trails 69 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 moreThe Overland Track 73 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 moreGolf courses around town
Barnbougle Dunes Links 76 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) 78 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 200 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 203 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
Nearby eco-friendly places to eat
Purple Possum Wholefoods and Cafe 144 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) 57 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 154 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 177 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 192 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 202 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
Port Sorell Lions Club Caravan Park
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 moreKoybaa camping area 1 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 moreBakers Point camping area 1 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 moreThis 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
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 37 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 moreLake Barrington West 37 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 moreO’Neills Creek Reserve camping area 44 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 moreMole Creek Caravan Park 46 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 moreAndy’s Motorhome and Camper Park 47 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 moreCaravan parks around town
Port Sorell Lions Caravan Park
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 14 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 15 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 moreBIG4 Kelso Sands Holiday Park 21 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 moreLow Head Tourist Park 24 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 moreBIG4 Ulverstone Holiday Park 31 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 moreDeloraine Apex Caravan Park 41 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 morePenguin Beachside Holiday Resort 41 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 moreWings Wildlife Park 44 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 moreTreasure Island Caravan Park 59 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 moreHotels, motels & B&Bs around town
These modern and comfortable boutique apartments are just 200 metres from an unspoiled beach and easy walking tracks. The Pier, Oyster and Dolphin studio apartments are delightfully bright and colourful, and include... Find out more
Tranquilles is a romantic B&B where a stay is like spoiling yourself. The welcome starts with a complimentary bottle of sparkling wine and local Belgian-style chocolates. The Shearwater Room is pretty and bright,... Find out more
Shearwater Country Club has a lot to offer its guests. Relaxing activities here include a spa, sauna, heated indoor pool, billiard saloon and nine-hole golf course, and it’s just a short walk to a safe sandy beach.... Find out more
Eco-friendly places to stay around town
Mountain Valley, Loongana 56 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 71 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 73 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 147 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 229 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 18 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 moreSomerset Park Area 62 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 morePerth Park Area 68 km
North side of town Parking area adjacent to the highway. Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S41 34.286 E147 10.184... Find out moreMyrtle Park Camp Area 70 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 moreWynyard Park Area 71 km
East side of town Small parking area on the foreshore. Good facilities. GPS: S40 59.408 E145 44.545... Find out moreSideling Lookout Park Area 74 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 moreHellyer Gorge Rest Area 80 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 moreScottsdale Rest Area 81 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 moreFossey River Rest Area 84 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 moreSisters Beach Rest Area 88 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 moreJonah Bay Camp Area 93 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 moreLittle Pine Lagoon Camp Area 93 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 moreTullabardine Dam Rest Area 95 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 morePumphouse Bay Camp Area 96 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 moreTullah Park Area 101 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 moreConara Rest Area 104 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 moreDerby Park Area 105 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 moreBrickmakers Beach 106 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 morePegs Beach Camp Area 107 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 moreRosebery Park Area 109 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 moreLagoon of Islands Rest Area 110 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 moreBlack River Camp Area 110 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 moreBronte Lagoon Rest Area 113 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 moreCampbell Town Rest Area 115 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 moreBlackburn Creek Rest Area 116 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 moreBradys Lake Camp Area 118 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 moreRoss Park Area 124 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 moreFranklin River Park Area 125 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 moreNive River Rest Area 126 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 moreLake Burbury Camp Area 127 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 moreWhat's on around town
Market: Memorial Hall; 1st and 3rd Sat each month Sept–May.
Port Sorell Regatta:
Jan.