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The fishing
wharf at Dunalley |
Dunalley
Small and unusual fishing village east of
Hobart
Dunalley is a small fishing village 57 km east
of Hobart on the Arthur Highway. It is located
on the narrow isthmus which separates the
Forestier and Tasman Peninsulas from rest of
Tasmania. The Denison canal, with a swing bridge
for road traffic, has been cut between Dunalley
Bay and Blackman Bay to allow boats easy access
between the two bays. It was originally hand
dug. The project started in 1901 and was
completed in 1905. In 1965 a new hydraulic swing
bridge replaced the original bridge. Today it is
common for Sydney-Hobart yacht racers returning
to Sydney to use the canal as a convenient
shortcut.
Things to see:
Tasman Monument
In the centre of the town, just before the
Dunalley High School, is a sign which points
visitors to the Tasman Monument. This monument,
which is near the town jetty, is a convenient
substitute for the more important monument
located at Tasman Bay and virtually inaccessible
by anything other than boat. It was at Tasman
Bay, near Cape Paul Lamanon, that Abel Tasman
and his crew became the first Europeans to land
on Tasmania. It was here that Tasman sent his
carpenter, Visscher, to name the territory Van
Diemen's Land after the Governor of Batavia.
Neither Tasman nor his hapless carpenter had any
idea that they were claiming a small island.
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The Tasman
Monument |
The monument in Dunalley recalls the same
event 'This monument was erected by the
Government of Tasmania in 1942 to commemorate
the tercentenary of the discovery of this island
in 1642 by Hon. Abel Jans Tasman'. Fortunately
it is more conveniently located than the
monument beyond the mouth of Blackman's Bay.
Other Attractions
Apart from the monument and some attractive
views across Blackman's Bay there is little in
Dunalley. The attractive St Martins Church is
located on the hill above the town.