Howard's Plains, Tasmania facts for kids

Howard's Plains is a flat area of land located just west of Queenstown in Western Tasmania, Australia. It sits higher than the river valley where Queenstown is found. This plain is an important spot because it's where several major roads meet, and it's also home to Queenstown's small airport.

What is Howard's Plains?

Howard's Plains is a large, flat area of land. It's like a big, open field that's higher up than the nearby town of Queenstown. This plain is located to the east of the Henty River area, which is where water collects before flowing into the river.

Where is it Located?

This plain is found in Western Tasmania, a part of Australia known for its rugged landscapes. It's positioned just to the west of Queenstown, a historic mining town. The plain is also above the river valley where Queenstown is built.

Roads and Travel

Howard's Plains is a key meeting point for roads in the region. It's where the Zeehan Highway connects with the road that goes from Queenstown to Strahan. This makes it a central hub for travel in and out of Queenstown. The Queenstown, Tasmania aerodrome, which is a small airport, is also located on Howard's Plains.

Building the Roads

For a long time, it was difficult to get to Howard's Plains from Queenstown. A proper road connecting Queenstown to the plain wasn't built until 1934. This important road project helped people who didn't have jobs during that time. They were hired to build the road, which provided them with work. After this road was finished, it helped lead to the building of other major roads. These included the road from Queenstown to Strahan and the road to Zeehan, which were completed in the late 1930s and early 1940s.

Environmental Efforts

In the southern part of Howard's Plains, you can find special areas called tailings dams. These dams were built as part of the Mount Lyell remediation scheme. This scheme is a big project designed to clean up and improve the environment around the old Mount Lyell mine. The tailings dams help to manage and store waste materials from the mining process. They are located above the Queen River, helping to protect its waters.