Marion Bay, Tasmania facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Marion Bay Hobart, Tasmania
Marion Bay Location in Tasmania
Population	72 (2016 census)
Postcode(s)	7175
Location	27 km (17 mi) E of Sorell 52 km (32 mi) E of Hobart
LGA(s)	Sorell
Region	South-east
State electorate(s)	Lyons
Federal Division(s)	Lyons
Suburbs around Marion Bay: Bream Creek Bream Creek Marion Bay Bream Creek Marion Bay Marion Bay Boomer Bay Blackman Bay Blackman Bay

Marion Bay is a quiet area in Tasmania, Australia. It's a mix of countryside and homes, located in the Sorell area. You can find it about 27 kilometers (about 17 miles) east of the town of Sorell. In 2016, only 72 people lived there, making it a small community.

Marion Bay is also the name of a big bay on Tasmania's south-east coast. Part of its shore is a special place called the Marion Bay Important Bird Area, which helps protect many birds.

History of Marion Bay

Marion Bay has been officially recognized as a place for a long time. It has an interesting past, especially when Europeans first explored the area.

Early European Exploration

In 1642, a Dutch explorer named Abel Tasman was the first European to visit this large bay. He dropped anchor near a small island in the southern part of the bay. Tasman named the whole area "Frederick Henricx Bay." This name included what we now call Blackman Bay, Marion Bay, and North Bay.

Later, the name Frederick Henry Bay was mistakenly moved to a different spot by Captain Tobias Furneaux. Because of this, the original "Frederick Henricx Bay" was renamed Marion Bay. This new name honored a French navigator, Marion du Fresne. He arrived in March 1772 with his ships Mascarin and Marquis de Castries. Marion wrote that his sailors found many "crayfish, lobsters and huge crabs." He also noted that "the oysters there are good and abundant."

First Meeting with Aboriginal People

Marion du Fresne's landing is important because it was the first time Europeans recorded seeing and describing the Aboriginal people of Tasmania/lutruwita. Sadly, there was a conflict between Marion's men and the Aboriginal people. After this, Marion sailed to New Zealand, where he was later killed by Māori.

Geography of Marion Bay

The beautiful waters of Blackman Bay and Marion Bay create the eastern and southern edges of this area. These bays are a key part of the local landscape.

Roads in Marion Bay

Route C337, also known as Marion Bay Road, is the main road that goes through the area. It runs from the west towards the south, connecting different parts of Marion Bay.

Festivals and Events

Marion Bay is famous for hosting some exciting festivals, bringing people together for fun and entertainment.

Falls Festival at Marion Bay

For many years, Marion Bay was home to the Tasmanian version of the Falls Festival. This popular music and arts festival first started here in December 2003. It was the second location for the Falls Festival, after the original one in Lorne, Victoria. The Marion Bay festival became a yearly New Year's Eve event, running for 17 years until 2019. The COVID-19 pandemic caused the festival to be postponed and then cancelled. The Marion Bay festival happened at the same time as other Falls Festivals in Lorne, Victoria and Byron Bay, New South Wales.

Bream Creek Show

The Bream Creek Show is another long-standing event held in Marion Bay. This show has been happening for over a century! It's well-known for its display of very large pumpkins. The first show took place in 1897. Today, it is held every year in March. The show offers many fun activities for families, including rides for children, wood chopping competitions, and other entertainment.

Army Worm Infestation

In December 2008, national news reported a large number of army worms in Marion Bay. Army worms are a type of caterpillar that can cause problems for plants. While this was a big issue for residents, these kinds of infestations are common where these worms live. An alert had actually been sent out in October 2008, warning that such an infestation might happen.