Boat Harbour Beach
When you first approach Boat Harbour by road from Burnie, the sign indicating a drop in the speed limit comes as no surprise, but when you reach the town you quickly notice something's not quite right. A town called Boat Harbour should have boats, or at least a harbour, but this place is inland with not a boat or jetty in sight! Pass through the town and drive a little way on and you'll come to a road off to the right and a signpost indicating "Boat Harbour Beach", and then things start to make a bit more sense. Boat Harbour actually has two small population centres - the town, high above sea-level, and the beach community below, nestled between rocky headlands. The latter is the main attaction here.
Keep following the signs to Boat Harbour Beach and as you wind your way down a hillside and a superb white beach with rocky headlands on either side comes into view. The sea is green and blue, the beach so clean, houses dot the hillside, thewhole scene unfolding before your eyes is sleepy and peaceful. This may well be the most beautiful seaside village and beach in Tasmania. Furthermore, it exists in a microclimate which is removed from the surrounding weather patterns. Frosts are unknown and plants from the tropics can be seen in local gardens. It sounds like paradise.
Boat Harbour Beach is not only notable for its exquisite location but also it fine white sands which have been weathered from the quartzite rocks that are common along this section of the coastline. The beach here is often named among Australia's Top Ten beaches. The clarity of the water is exceptional, attracting swimmers, snorkellers and scuba divers; good fishing is to be had from the rocky points. At low tide, you may see abalone on the rocks. Precious stones have been found in the rocks.
All the facilities one expects and needs surround the car park at the bottom of the hill. There are picnic and barbeque facilities on a grassed area, toilets and change rooms, a children's playground, a short walking path around the headland and a most delightful cafe vy the water serving coffe, a snack or lunch.
Boat Harbour was first settled by Europeans in the 1830s when it became known as Jacob's Boat Harbour. It is presumed that "Jacob" was Captain John Jacobs, a local who sailed the schooner Edward along the north coast from Stanley for the Van Diemen Land Company. Local lore has it that Jacobs fell asleep and his boat drifted into the small harbour. Jacobs had arrived in Van Diemen's Land as an apprentice crewman on the first ship to sail direct from England to Port Dalrymple, which arrived in the Tamar in 1823. Gaining his master's certificate in the late 1820s he settled in Stanley in 1829 after the VDL Co. appointed him as its own master mariner. Captain Jacobs remained in the company's employ until it sold its last ship in 1845.
Captain Jacobs was a popular personality in the Circular Head community. In 1837, the year of his marriage, he was presented with a silver tea service by officers of the VDL Co. The gift and the letter accompanying it are still in the possession of the Jacobs family. He lived in Stanley most of his working life, having bought one of the first town blocks sold by the VDL Co. in 1851 for £10.
By the end of the 19th century a small jetty had been built at Boat Harbour and potatoes, grown in the district, were being shipped from it by sea to Burnie and Devonport, as there were no roads. It proved to be quite unsuitable; the tracks down to the harbour were steep and dangerous and the harbour itself was poorly protected from the huge seas which periodically pounded the coastline. When the railway line between Burnie and Stanley was opened in 1915, it was only to be expected that the passage of produce through Boat Harbour would cease almost immediately.
Sisters Beach
Sisters Beach
On your way into Boat Hartbour Beach you will notice a sign pointing to Sisters Beach. Though just up the road (and the coast) from Boat Harbour Beach, Sisters Beach has a totally different look and feel. A quiet seaside village which extends some way along the waterfront, Sisters Beach is actually located within the Rocky Cape National Park and is situated on the old horse trail known as the Postman's Track that once formed the only connection between Emu Bay (now Burnie) and the Van Diemen's Land outpost of Stanley.
At one end of the village - where you'll end up if you continue to follow the road in, is a parking area with picnic facilities, electric barbecues, toilets and drinking water provided by the local council. A short path leads down to the beach where Sister Creek enters Bass Strait. At the other end of Sisters Beach is a boat ramp near where you can do quiet bit of fishing or catch a squid off the jetty. It is also possible to scuba dive around Rocky Cape, however conditions can be treacherous and diving is recommended only for experienced divereing at the eastern end of Rocky Cape National Park, there is an entrance into the park itself towards the boat ramp.
The Park encompasses a rugged coastline with samll sheltered beaches, as well as heath and woodland covered hills with a wealth of orchids, christmas bells and grass trees. The area was once a favourite Aboriginal hunting ground, and evidence of their inhabitance may be seen in various shelter caves. The caves are recognised as important archaeological sites, with midden deposits of bone, shells, stone and charcoal. Sisters Beach is wisely being quite small and the building of new homes is currently restricted, due to the surrounding national park. All in all, a pretty location.
Rocky Cape National Park offers a fascinating variety of walks, ranging from less than 20 minutes to a full day. These take in Aboriginal rock shelters and caves, scenic hills full of wildflowers and birds, and tranquil beaches, bays and rocky headlands. From Sisters Beach there is a one hour walking ciruit to Wet Cave, Lee Archer Cave, returning via Banksia Grove, a stand of giant Banksia serrata. Sisters Beach is the only place in Tasmania where they occur.
Although small, Rocky Cape National Park offers visitors a varied experience on Tasmania 's coast. Here you can learn about Aboriginal life on the north-west coast. Swimming, fishing, boating and walking are popular activities. There are pleasant day and half-day walks over the hills from either Sisters Beach or from the lighthouse at the western end of the Park. Rocky Cape's unpolluted waters regularly attract dolphins and seals. At low tide on a calm day, the rocky foreshore reveals numerous rock pools inhabited by a variety of colourful fish and plants.
Within the park there is a picnic area with tables and a gas barbecue at Mary Ann Cove. Toilet facilities are available at Burgess Cove and Mary Ann Cove in Rocky Cape National Park. Drinking water is not available in the park.