"Port Sorell" Port Sorell by iandsmith

Port Sorell Travel Guide: 4 reviews and 20 photos

Tidal waters at Port Sorell - Port Sorell

A background

Port Sorell (including Shearwater) is a sleepy holiday retreat for boating and fishing enthusiasts.
Situated on the Bass Highway 117 km north of Launceston via Devonport, Port Sorell and the nearby township of Shearwater are simply quiet and sleepy resorts with a strong emphasis on caravan parks and simple fibro accommodation which are popular for fishermen, boating enthusiasts and people who want to get away from mainstream holiday activities. There is a transient feeling about Port Sorell which is really a few shops and a small number of holiday homes located behind the sand dunes, more your village really.
Port Sorell is set on the Rubicon River and was established in the early 1820s and named after Lieutenant-Governor William Sorell who arrived in Hobart Town in 1817. Initially developed as a port by the Van Diemen's Company, it was the earliest European settlement on Tasmania's north coast and, by the 1840s, it had grown to be the largest town on the coast. It declined with the development of Devonport and most of its early history was wiped out by bushfires. Today, evidence of the town's interesting historic origins have been obliterated by bushfires.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Quiet
Cons:quiet

Last visit to Port Sorell: Nov 2011
Intro Written Feb 3, 2012
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Reviews (4)

Copperhead eating native toad - Port Sorell

Narawntapu National Park Favorites (1)

I decided to do the Springlawn Nature Walk and thus tick my 19th box on the excellent “60 Great Short Walks” brochure.... more travel advice

Walking Things to Do (3)

All I did the first time was wander around the sand flats. A pleasant thing do and we wiled away a couple of hours,... more travel advice

Crossing the Rubicon Things to Do (3)

Always wanted to say I'd done that and now I can. En route to Port Sorell from Devonport that's what you can do. The... more travel advice

Larooma Park Things to Do (3)

From my email at the time - "I okayed nearby Hawley Beach on my GPS and reached there in half an hour, having driven... more travel advice

Comments (1)

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TheWanderingCamel Feb 3, 2012 at 3:36 AM

I read your Larooma Park tip first and waondered where Port Sorell was - then I read Crossing the Rubicon - no sign of Caesar but I know where we are now. Sand dunes and fibro shacks - love places like that. leyle