Tamar River

The Tamar River, officially kanamaluka / River Tamar,[2] is a 70-kilometre (43-mile) estuary located in northern Tasmania, Australia. Despite being called a river, the waterway is a brackish and tidal estuary over its entire length.

This article is about the river in Tasmania Australia. For the river in England, see River Tamar.

kanamaluka / Tamar River
kanamaluka / Tamar River from Brady's lookout, near Exeter
Course of kanamaluka / Tamar River
Etymology	River Tamar
Native name	kanamaluka
Location
Country	Australia
Region	Tasmania, Northern Tasmania
City	Launceston
Physical characteristics
Source confluence	South and North Esk Rivers
• location	Launceston
• coordinates	41°26′4″S 147°7′38″E
Mouth	Port Dalrymple, Bass Strait
• location	Low Head
• coordinates	41°3′19″S 146°46′28″E
• elevation	0 m (0 ft)
Length	70 km (43 mi)
Basin features
Tributaries
• left	Supply River
State reserve	Tamar River Conservation Area
[1]

Location and features

Formed by the confluence of the North Esk and South Esk rivers at Launceston, kanamaluka / Tamar River flows generally north towards its mouth at Low Head, north of the settlement George Town[3] and into the Bass Strait via Port Dalrymple. Kanamaluka / Tamar River has several minor tributaries including the Supply River.[1]

Low Head Lighthouse is located at the tip of a peninsula, on the east side of the mouth of the Tamar River. The only full crossing of the river is the Batman Bridge in the relatively remote area of Sidmouth, around halfway up the river.

Although the Port of Launceston is now used very little in comparison to the past[4] and the SeaCat Tasmania ferry no longer docks at George Town,[5] the river still is used for shipping, with light and heavy industries at George Town including aluminium smelters as well as commercial boat cruises.[6]

Etymology

The Tamar River was named after the River Tamar in South West England by Colonel William Paterson in December 1804.[7]

See also

• Rivers of Tasmania
• Tamar Wetlands Important Bird Area

References

1. "Map of Tamar River, TAS". Bonzle Digital Atlas of Australia. 2015. Retrieved 18 June 2016.
2. "Survey Co-ordination (21403)" (PDF). Tasmanian Government Gazette. 5 February 2014. p. 155. Retrieved 3 January 2020 – via {{{via}}}.
3. "George Town Council". georgetown.tas.gov.au.
4. "The Development of the Port of Launceston". Launceston Historical Society. Archived from the original on 30 September 2009.
5. "Bass Strait Passenger Ships and Passenger/Vehicle Ferries". users.nex.net.au/~reidgck.
6. "Tamar River Cruises". tamarrivercruises.com.au.
7. Bladen, F. M. (Frank Murcott), ed. (1897). Historical records of New South Wales, Volume 5—King, 1803-1805. Sydney: Charles Potter, Government Printer. p. 497.

External links

• History of the Tamar River Conservation Area