Low Head
Low Head is a rural residential locality in the local government area (LGA) of George Town in the Launceston LGA region of Tasmania. The locality is about 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) north of the town of George Town. The 2016 census recorded a population of 572 for the state suburb of Low Head.[1] It is a suburb of George Town, on a peninsula at the mouth of the Tamar River.
| Low Head Tasmania | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Low Head Pilot Station | |||||||||||||||
  Low Head | |||||||||||||||
| Coordinates | 41°4′0″S 146°48′0″E | ||||||||||||||
| Population | 572 (2016 census)[1] | ||||||||||||||
| Postcode(s) | 7253 | ||||||||||||||
| Elevation | 28 m (92 ft)[2] | ||||||||||||||
| Location |
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| LGA(s) | George Town Council | ||||||||||||||
| Region | Launceston | ||||||||||||||
| State electorate(s) | Bass | ||||||||||||||
| Federal division(s) | Bass | ||||||||||||||
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It is a popular snorkel and scuba diving area during much of the year, with extensive wide, unspoiled beaches.
The area also has a lighthouse, beaches and a colony of little penguins (Eudyptula minor).
The foghorn, a Chance Brothers "Type G" diaphone at Low Head Lighthouse, is the only operable foghorn of its type and is popular with tourists as it is sounded at noon every Sunday.
History
Low Head was gazetted as a locality in 1967.[3] The first Low Head Post Office opened on 12 September 1887 and closed in 1894.[4] In 1996 the MV Iron Baron ran aground on Hebe Reef, off Low Head, causing the worst oil disaster in Australia's history.
Geography
The waters of the Tamar River estuary (also known as Port Dalrymple) and Bass Strait form the western to north-eastern boundaries. The George Town Aerodrome is within the locality.[5]
Climate
Low Head has a temperate oceanic climate (Köppen: Cfb), bordering on a warm Mediterranean climate.
| Climate data for Low Head | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 27.3 (81.1) |
28.7 (83.7) |
25.8 (78.4) |
23.1 (73.6) |
20.4 (68.7) |
18.0 (64.4) |
15.9 (60.6) |
17.2 (63.0) |
19.2 (66.6) |
21.2 (70.2) |
24.8 (76.6) |
25.7 (78.3) |
28.7 (83.7) |
| Average high °C (°F) | 20.6 (69.1) |
21.1 (70.0) |
20.1 (68.2) |
17.8 (64.0) |
15.4 (59.7) |
13.5 (56.3) |
12.8 (55.0) |
13.1 (55.6) |
14.0 (57.2) |
15.4 (59.7) |
17.4 (63.3) |
19.0 (66.2) |
16.7 (62.1) |
| Average low °C (°F) | 14.4 (57.9) |
14.6 (58.3) |
13.4 (56.1) |
11.2 (52.2) |
9.4 (48.9) |
7.5 (45.5) |
6.9 (44.4) |
7.2 (45.0) |
8.5 (47.3) |
9.6 (49.3) |
11.4 (52.5) |
12.9 (55.2) |
10.6 (51.1) |
| Record low °C (°F) | 8.2 (46.8) |
8.1 (46.6) |
7.0 (44.6) |
3.7 (38.7) |
2.6 (36.7) |
0.8 (33.4) |
0.6 (33.1) |
0.5 (32.9) |
1.4 (34.5) |
3.9 (39.0) |
5.1 (41.2) |
6.5 (43.7) |
0.5 (32.9) |
| Average rainfall mm (inches) | 48.8 (1.92) |
28.4 (1.12) |
52.4 (2.06) |
55.1 (2.17) |
63.3 (2.49) |
75.0 (2.95) |
73.7 (2.90) |
77.1 (3.04) |
57.0 (2.24) |
54.3 (2.14) |
52.2 (2.06) |
42.9 (1.69) |
679.3 (26.74) |
| Average rainy days (≥ 1 mm) | 6.9 | 6.6 | 7.8 | 9.9 | 13.0 | 14.2 | 15.7 | 15.3 | 14.4 | 12.0 | 9.7 | 8.9 | 134.4 |
| Average afternoon relative humidity (%) | 68 | 66 | 64 | 66 | 69 | 72 | 71 | 71 | 71 | 68 | 68 | 66 | 68 |
| Source: Bureau of Meteorology (1997–2022 averages;[6] extremes 1980–present) | |||||||||||||
Road infrastructure
Route A8 (Low Head Road) runs through from south-west to north-west, where it terminates.[3][7]
See also
References
- "2016 Census Quick Stats Low Head (Tas.)". quickstats.censusdata.abs.gov.au. Australian Bureau of Statistics. 23 October 2017. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
- Bureau of Meteorology. Retrieved 2007-11-10
- "Placenames Tasmania – Low Head". Placenames Tasmania. Select “Search”, enter "1101W", click “Search”, select row, map is displayed, click “Details”. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
- Premier Postal History. "Post Office List". Premier Postal Auctions. Retrieved 16 June 2012.
- Google (2 April 2021). "Low Head, Tasmania" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
- "Climate Statistics for Low Head". Bureau of Meteorology. Retrieved 1 December 2022.
- "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.
External links
- Iron Baron - report on oil spill
- Low Head Pilot Station Maritime Museum - Maritime History of the area.