Orford/Triabunna Region

The townships of Orford and Triabunna are on the East Coast of Tasmania and are approximately 80 kilomteres north of Hobart or a one hour drive.

Triabunna

Established: 1830
Postcode: 7190
Traibunna Population: 700 estimated
Established: 1830
Local Government: Municiplality of Glamorgan Spring Bay
Federal Government Division: Lyons
State Government Division: Lyons
Rainfall: 649 mm (25” per year)
Temperatures: 22.5 summer; 10 to 15 Winter
Locations: 6 km form Orford; 59 km from Sorell, 84 km from Hobart; 50 km from Swansea

Triabunna is the largest township on the east coast of Tasmania, and is the civic and municipal heart of the Glamorgan Spring Bay Council and is located 84 kilometres to the north east of the state capital Hobart.  It is a coastal town situated on the Tasman, and is sheltered within Spring Bay at the mouth of MacCleans Creek and Vickerys rivulet. The nearest township is Orford, 6 kilometres to the south on the far side of the bay. At the 2001 census, Triabunna had a population of 701.

The nearby resort and residences of Louisville are considered as a satellite community of Triabunna.

"Triabunna" is a native Tasmanian word for "native hen". The town was founded in 1830 as a station of the 63rd regiment, and later the 51st regiment also called Triabunna home for a time.

Triabunna is a scenic township surrounded by nearby beaches, hills and beautiful tracts of eucalyptus forest. The area contains many historic buildings from Tasmania's colonial period. The town also commands excellent views of Maria Island, which can be reached by a short ferry ride from Triabunna.

The weather on the east coast of Tasmania is particularly mild, and warm sunny summers are a feature of life in Triabunna, which makes it an ideal holiday or retirement destination. The pleasant beaches and ease of access make the town a haven for those who enjoy watersports such as fishing, sailing, and diving - www.troyd.com.au - and the town also has excellent facilities for tennis and golf (nearby Orford), and bushwalking in the nearby forests (Wielangata – South of Orford; Old Convict Road – Orford) is also popular.  Local walks include the Pelican Walk which begins near the Marina. The area has an information centre located at the towns Marina.

Triabunna has many facilities including a School, Skill Centre, Service Station, Police Station, Post Office, Supermarket, Butchers, Hardware Store, Chemist, Hairdresser, Medical Centre, Laundry, Real Estate Office, Bakery, Surf Shop, Opportunity Shop, Takeaway, RSL, two hotels, Service Tasmanian Shop, Giraween Gardens, and a Marina.

World renowned Spring Bay Seafoods is located just 4 kilometres from the township and sells its famous scallops and mussels direct to the public. www.springbayseafoods.com.au.

Orford

Population: 485
Postcode: 7190
Location: 6 km from Triabunna

Orford is an attractive coastal hamlet situated on the east coast of Tasmania, some 78 kilometres northeast of Hobart. The village is centred around the mouth of the Prosser River, on the southern margin of a substantial coastal inlet called Prosser Bay. Beyond this bay are the waters of the Mercury Passage, with Maria Island providing a spectacular backdrop to the view.

The town was named by Edward Walpole, who was granted 1,000 acres (4 km²) in the area in 1831. He named his grant “Strawberry Hill”, after the London residence of his relative Horace Walpole who was the Second Earl of Orford. The town was first established as a mainland port for the convict settlement on Maria Island. However, the marine infrastructure never consisted of more than a few short jetties in shallow waters just inside the mouth of the river and that is all there is today. A few yachts are moored there but it is totally unsuitable for larger vessels.

Orford has a permanent population of a few hundred people. The town is popular with tourists and in the summer months of December and January the population swells to a few thousand. Recently new businesses have commenced including a large IGA supermarket and the new Gateway Orford Café which provides quality dining.  Scorchers by the Sea next door is a favourite for pasta and pizzas. The Orford Road house on the Tasman Hihway provides fuel and takeaway food and the Orford Blue Waters Hotel is also located on the Tasman Highway.

Great Tourist attractions in the area include Raspins Beach, Millingtons Beach, Spring Beach and Rebhan Beach.  The Thumbs Look out and Wielngta Forest are nearby and the convict walk commences near the Orford Bridge and runs along the Prosser River.  A cycle track has commenced construction and currently runs from the Orford Bridge around to Raspins Beach.  It will eventually link Triabunna to Spring Beach. A golf course exists on the Tasman Highway and Our Park is a great place to take the kids for a BBQ.  Our park has toilets and shelter and the nearby Millingtons beach.

Sandstone from this area was quarried for use in buildings in Hobart and Melbourne, including the Melbourne General Post Office. A quarry still operates at the nearby town of Buckland.