Saltwater River, Tasmania facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Saltwater RiverTasmania |
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 Saltwater River
Location in Tasmania
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| Population | 123 (2016 census) | ||||||||||||||
| Postcode(s) | 7186 | ||||||||||||||
| Location | 14 km (9 mi) N of Nubeena | ||||||||||||||
| LGA(s) | Tasman | ||||||||||||||
| Region | South-east | ||||||||||||||
| State electorate(s) | Lyons | ||||||||||||||
| Federal Division(s) | Lyons | ||||||||||||||
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Saltwater River is a small, quiet area in Tasmania, Australia. It's located on the Tasman Peninsula, which is a beautiful part of the island. Saltwater River is about 14 kilometers (about 9 miles) north of a town called Nubeena. In 2016, only 123 people lived here.
Saltwater River is officially known as a "rural locality." This means it's a countryside area with homes spread out. It's part of the Tasman local government area (LGA).
Contents
Exploring Saltwater River's Past
Saltwater River became an official locality in 1967. But its history goes back much further.
A Former Penal Colony
Saltwater River was once a penal colony. This was a place where prisoners were sent to live and work. It's also known as Saltwater Creek. It is located on the Tasman Peninsula, about 23 kilometers (14 miles) from Port Arthur. Hobart, Tasmania's capital city, is about 106 kilometers (66 miles) away.
There were two main prisoner settlements in the Saltwater River area. One was a farm where prisoners grew vegetables and wheat. They also raised pigs there.
The other settlement was a coal mine. Conditions at the mine were very difficult for the prisoners who worked there. Today, this site is called the Coal Mines Historic Site. It is so important that it's on the Australian National Heritage List.
Today, you can still see the ruins of these old buildings. These ruins include underground cells where prisoners were kept. They offer a glimpse into the tough lives of the people who lived and worked there long ago.
Geography of Saltwater River
The north-eastern edge of Saltwater River is bordered by the waters of Norfolk Bay. This bay is a large body of water that connects to the ocean.
Getting Around Saltwater River
The main road in the area is Route C341, also known as Saltwater River Road. This road comes into the area from the east and then heads north. It eventually ends within the locality.
