Triabunna

Triabunna is a scenic port town surrounded by beaches, hills and beautiful eucalyptus forest. It's also the departure point for the ferry to Maria Island National Park. Triabunna began life as a garrison town for the penal colony at Maria Island and has a long history as Australia's first rural municipality. There are many surviving historic buildings from Tasmania's colonial period in the area, including the sandstone St Mary's Anglican Church (1880) and the Spring Bay Hotel (1838). Triabunna commands excellent views of Maria Island, a natural wildlife sanctuary and off-shore retreat with historic ruins, sweeping bays, dramatic cliffs and plenty of stories to tell. The Triabunna's Visitor Information Centre has an interesting display of wall tapestries depicting the area's rich Aboriginal and European history and adjacent is the Tasmanian Seafarers Memorial. The town has a range of accommodation and shops, galleries and tearooms perfect for lazing away a morning. Triabunna is an Aboriginal word meaning native hen - a fast-running, flightless bird found only in Tasmania that can reach speeds of up to 50 km an hour. You'll often see these birds foraging near streams and pastureland in the area. Triabunna is just over a one hour drive (88 km) north-east of Hobart.