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ORFORD Tourism

About ORFORD

Orford is a picturesque village in Tasmania’s East Coast and Freycinet Region, about 73 north-east of Hobart, the State capital. Situated at the mouth of the Prosser River, Orford was an important port earlier in its history, but today, like many towns in this region, its primarily a fishing town and tourist location. Its population of around 500 can increase to over 3,000 during the summer holiday period.

The Prosser River empties into Prosser Bay, beyond which is the Mercury Passage and Maria Island. The island has a total area of 115.50 km sq, all of which is national park land, is around 20 km from north to south and 13 km across at its widest, and rises to a maximum height of 711 m. Its name is locally pronounced with a hard “I”, as in “Black Mariah”.

Ferries to the island leave from the Eastcoaster resort a few kilometres north of the village. Island visits are a very popular attraction in the region, especially for cyclists, bird-watchers and snorkellers.

Orford was founded in the 1830s as a mainland port for Maria Island’s convict settlement, which had been established in 1825, and local whalers and fishermen. Eventually, the clearer passage around nearby Triabunna promoted it to the primary port in the area. Fishing, however, remains a major part of Orford’s life, with the bay and Mercury Passage being home to substantial numbers of trevally, flathead, and trumpeter, as well as crayfish and abalone.

The area also has many lovely beaches and coastal walks. Raspins Beach, Shelley Beach and Spring Beach all boast gleaming white sands and safe swimming. Popular walking paths include the Convict Road, a forty-minute walk along the northern banks of the river, and two-hour walk through the Thumbs Forest Park to the south of the town, which gives spectacular views of Maria Island and the surrounding coastline.

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