Discover Low Head

Low Head tells a story of pilots, shipping and a lighthouse on a rocky headland above Bass Strait. It also offers an evening wildlife experience: at sunset, Little Blue Penguins return from the sea to nest in their burrows. This makes for a special mix of maritime history and wildlife watching when planning your trip. When choosing holiday accommodation, consider which of these experiences you want to make the focus of your stay.

Pilot Station and Maritime History

The pilot station at Low Head has been in operation since 1805. It includes Australia’s oldest surviving pilot buildings; the Low Head precinct also contains a wide variety of 19th-century maritime buildings. You can explore this history further at the Low Head Pilot Station Maritime Museum. It is located in Pilots Row, a building constructed by convicts in 1835, and shares stories about shipping on the Tamar River.

The museum also offers guided tours for visitors.

Lighthouse on Bass Strait

Low Head Light Station stands on a rocky headland overlooking Bass Strait. It was the third light station built in Australia and has been in continuous operation since 1833. Its long history of operation and its location make it a prominent part of the area’s maritime identity. The view over Bass Strait is another reason to include the headland in your travel plans.

Access is from Low Head Road through a gate to a small public car park. A gravel access road continues to the tip of the headland. This information is useful when preparing to visit the Light Station: the approach is via Low Head Road, and the road to the headland is gravel.

Penguins at Sunset

Low Head Penguin Tours take place every evening at sunset, are fully guided and last up to an hour. During the tour, Little Blue Penguins return from Bass Strait to nest in their burrows. An easy three-minute walk leads to a viewing platform overlooking the beach. The tour combines a short walk with views of the coastal wildlife; its duration and timing also give you clear points of reference for planning your day.

Boxthorn bushes line the coastal reserve.

Low Head as a Base

Low Head is about 6 km north of Georgetown on Low Head Road. The kanamaluka Trail is a 6 km shared path for cyclists and pedestrians from George Town to Low Head Lighthouse. If you enjoy walking or want to include a bike ride, you can consider this trail as a separate activity. The stated distance helps you assess the trail as part of your day without assuming a walking or cycling time.

Low Head offers a range of themes, but no single activity has to define your entire stay. If you’re travelling with people who have different interests, the museum’s stories, the lighthouse and an evening with the penguins can each add their own highlight.

Discover More Places

If you’d like to explore more places, you’ll find Relbia, Wattle Hill, Moorina, Sheffield, National Park, Falmouth, Westbury and Bridport.

For the broader travel overview: Tasmania.