Beyond the boundaries of Eaglehawk Neck, on the way to Port Arthur, lies Taranna, a small, sleepy settlement seated on Norfolk Bay’s blue waters.
This hamlet famously home to Australia’s first railway and the only one to use human-horsepower. Commandant O’Hara Booth had the 7km tramway built to transport delivered goods from ships in Norfolk Bay to Long Bay, near Port Arthur. Using a team of four convicts, the tramway eliminated the hazardous alternative where ships traversed Tasmania’s wild southern coastline to reach the penal settlement.
Goods were then ferried across Long Bay to Port Arthur and the original Norfolk Bay Convict Station which is now a heritage listed B&B beside a popular jetty.
A boat launching ramp and finger jetty is available at the northern end of the village, accessible in most weather conditions.
A signal tower was located on Woody Island, now Dart Island, some distance offshore in Norfolk Bay. It was one of a chain of semaphore stations that could, on a clear day, send messages to Hobart Town, some fifty miles (80 kilometres).
Taranna once boasted a prize-winning bakery, several restaurants, a general store, petrol station and a wide range of services as a hub for the Tasman Peninsula.
A signal tower was located on Woody Island, now Dart Island, some distance offshore in Norfolk Bay. It was one of a chain of semaphore stations that could, on a clear day, send messages to Hobart Town, some fifty miles (80 kilometres).
Taranna once boasted a prize-winning bakery, several restaurants, a general store, petrol station and a wide range of accommodation.
Today the village still offers a wide range of accomodation, many located right on the water’s edge.
The world renowned Tassie Devil Park Centre ‘UNZOO’ is located on the southern boundary of Taranna and the renowned Federation Chocolate Factory is nearby on the other side of the road.
Stop In at Rosedale Homestead for a meal, tour of the Animal Park or Heritage Museum.