Austins Ferry

Austins Ferry Hobart,  Tasmania
Austins Ferry
Coordinates	42°45′59″S147°14′36″E / 42.76639°S 147.24333°E / -42.76639; 147.24333
Population	2,395 (2021 census) [1]
• Density	1,057/km2 (2,740/sq mi)
Postcode(s)	7011
Area	2.1 km2 (0.8 sq mi)
Location	9 km (6 mi) N of Glenorchy
LGA(s)	City of Glenorchy
Region	Hobart
State electorate(s)	Clark
Federal division(s)	Clark
Suburbs around Austins Ferry: Granton River Derwent River Derwent Abbotsfield Austins Ferry River Derwent Claremont Claremont River Derwent

Austins Ferry is a residential suburb of the local government area (LGA) of Glenorchy in the greater Hobart region of Tasmania. It is a suburb of Hobart.^{[ citation needed ]}

Geography

Austins Ferry is about 9 kilometres (5.6 mi) north of the centre of the City of Glenorchy.^{[ citation needed ]}

The waters of the River Derwent form the eastern boundary and parts of the northern and southern boundaries of the suburb. ^[2]

Panorama of the upper half of Austins Ferry

History

Austins Ferry is named after James Austin (1776–1831), who had been transported to Port Phillip as a convict in 1803 along with his cousin John Earl, and who was subsequently sent to Van Diemens Land in 1804. ^[3]

After their sentences expired, the two men were granted small land parcels on the western shore of the River Derwent between Hobart and New Norfolk. In 1818 they established a ferry service across the river and later a punt which proved very conveniently-located for vehicular traffic travelling between Hobart and regions to the north, and they thus became very wealthy.^{[ citation needed ]}

In 1821 the visiting Governor Lachlan Macquarie renamed the village Roseneath, but it later reverted to its original name.^{[ citation needed ]}

Austins Ferry was gazetted as a locality in 1960. ^[4]

The 2021 census recorded a population of 2,395 for Austins Ferry. ^[1]

Facilities and attractions

James Austin's cottage

James Austin's original cottage (picture on the right) is preserved as a tourist attraction.

James Austin Cottage

The opening hours for the cottage are limited to Sundays between 1pm and 4pm. It provides crafts and historical information.^{[ citation needed ]}

Saint Virgil's College

Austins Ferry is the location of St Virgil's College, a private Roman Catholic co-educational school.^{[ citation needed ]}

Austins Ferry Primary School

Austins Ferry Primary School is the local state school. It was established in 2011. ^{[5] [6]}

Road infrastructure

National Route 1 (Brooker Highway) passes to the west of Austins Ferry. From there, several roads provide access to the locality. ^{[4] [7]}

References

1. Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Austins Ferry". 2021 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 10 August 2022.
2. "Austins Ferry, Tasmania" (Map). Google Maps . Retrieved 2 April 2021.
3. Burgess, Georgie (13 April 2019). "Legacy of James Austin and his River Derwent ferry service still runs deep". ABC Radio Hobart . Australian Broadcasting Corporation . Retrieved 13 April 2019.
4. "Placenames Tasmania – Austins Ferry". Placenames Tasmania. Select "Search", enter "229P", click "Search", select row, map is displayed, click "Details". Retrieved 2 April 2021.
5. "Austins Ferry Primary School" Tasmanian Department of Education
6. "Hansard" Tasmanian State Parliament
7. "Tasmanian Road Route Codes" (PDF). Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water & Environment. May 2017. Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 August 2017. Retrieved 2 April 2021.