Sandy Bay, Tasmania facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Sandy Bay Hobart, Tasmania
View of Wrest Point Casino and Sandy Bay
Sandy Bay Location in Hobart
Population	12,315 (2021 census)
Postcode(s)	7005
LGA(s)	City of Hobart
State electorate(s)	Clark
Federal Division(s)	Clark
Suburbs around Sandy Bay: Dynnyrne Battery Point Derwent River Tolmans Hill Sandy Bay Derwent River Mount Nelson Taroona Derwent River

Sandy Bay is a well-known suburb in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia. It's located just south of the city centre, next to Battery Point. The Derwent River runs along its eastern side.

Sandy Bay is famous for its beautiful beaches. These include Nutgrove Beach, Long Beach, and Lords Beach. It's also home to some of Tasmania's most expensive houses. You'll find student homes here too, close to the University of Tasmania. Several private schools, like Fahan School and The Hutchins School, are also in Sandy Bay.

The main road, Sandy Bay Road, connects Sandy Bay to Hobart's city centre. It also leads south to Taroona. One of Sandy Bay's most famous buildings is the Wrest Point Hotel Casino. It was Australia’s first legal casino, opening in 1973.

A Look Back: Sandy Bay's History

The land where Sandy Bay now stands was first home to the Mouheneenner people. European settlers arrived in the early 1800s. Some land was given to people from Norfolk Island in 1808.

Sandy Bay was known for its long beach. Horse races were even held there in the early 1800s! By the early 1900s, Sandy Bay was growing fast. It officially became part of the City of Hobart in 1914.

Sandy Bay Baths: A Place to Swim

The Sandy Bay Baths were built in 1906. They were located on Marieville Esplanade. These baths were a popular spot for locals to swim in the open sea. They were a big part of Sandy Bay life until 1965. The baths were then taken down to make way for new buildings.

Sandy Bay Tram Line: Getting Around

The Sandy Bay tram line started in 1893. It connected the suburb to Hobart’s city centre. The tram travelled along Macquarie Street and Sandy Bay Road. It ended at Long Beach.

Trams were a key way to travel until 1952. Then, electric trolleybuses took over the route. These trolleybuses ran until the mid-1960s. After that, regular motor buses became the main transport.

Learning and Education: Schools and University

Sandy Bay has many well-known schools and institutions.

• The Fahan School: This is a private school for girls. It teaches students from Kindergarten to Year 12. It was started in 1935.
• The Hutchins School: This is a leading private school for boys. It also teaches from Kindergarten to Year 12.
• Mount Carmel College: This is a Catholic school for girls. It teaches students from Kindergarten to Year 10.
• Sandy Bay Infant School: This is a public school. It focuses on teaching young children.
• Waimea Heights Primary School: This is a public primary school. It is known for its strong academics.

University of Tasmania: A Campus in Sandy Bay

The University of Tasmania (UTAS) has a big campus in Sandy Bay. Many of its departments are moving to Hobart's city centre. However, the law school and STEM centre will stay at the Sandy Bay campus. People are still discussing what will happen to the rest of the campus.

Centenary Building, University of Tasmania, c. 2009

Wrest Point Hotel Casino: Australia's First Casino

Wrest Point Hotel Casino is a very famous building in Sandy Bay. It is special because it was Australia's first legal casino. It started as a hotel on the waterfront in the 1930s.

In 1968, people in Tasmania voted on whether to allow casinos. They narrowly said yes. So, plans began to turn Wrest Point into a casino complex. Federal Hotels led this project.

The Wrest Point Casino officially opened in 1973. Its design, with an eight-sided tower, was created by architect Roy Grounds. This tower has become a key part of Sandy Bay’s skyline. The casino also has a hotel, restaurants, and entertainment areas. It is a major place for visitors to Hobart.

The casino was built to help Tasmania's tourism. It aimed to bring visitors from all over Australia and the world. Wrest Point is still a big entertainment spot today. It hosts events, meetings, and fun activities.

Wrest Point Casino tower, c. 2009

Sandy Bay's Beautiful Beaches

Sandy Bay has several popular beaches. They are located along the Derwent River. These beaches are great for water activities in Hobart.

• Nutgrove Beach: This is a very family-friendly beach. It's popular for swimming, picnics, and kayaking. The water is calm, which is great for families and kids. There are also barbecue areas and playgrounds nearby.
• Long Beach: This beach is next to Nutgrove Beach. It's another popular spot for locals and visitors. People often use it for stand-up paddleboarding, walking, and swimming. Many local events are held here throughout the year.
• Lords Beach: This is a small, steep beach at the northern end of Sandy Bay. It has a large concrete sea wall. This wall was built to stop the land from washing away.
• Red Chapel Beach: This beach is near Wrest Point. It offers great views of the famous casino. Red Chapel Beach is a bit quieter than Nutgrove and Long Beach.

These beaches are a big part of life in Sandy Bay. They attract both locals and tourists. People come here to relax, exercise, and enjoy water sports.

Nutgrove Beach, c. 2015

Who Lives in Sandy Bay? Demographics

In 2021, Sandy Bay had a population of 12,315 people. Experts think the population will be around 12,600 by 2024. This means about 1,800 people live in each square kilometre.

The average weekly income for households in Sandy Bay was $1,721. This is very close to the national average of $1,746. About 19.5% of households earned less than $650 per week. However, 14.7% of households earned over $3,000 per week.

Most people in Sandy Bay were born in Australia (67.1%). Other common birthplaces include England (4.1%), China (3.0%), Malaysia (1.4%), and India (1.2%).

Most people (78.5%) spoke only English at home. About 12.5% spoke other languages. Common non-English languages were Mandarin (3.2%), Cantonese (1.2%), and Italian (0.7%).

When it comes to religion, 48.6% of people said they had no religion. About 39.5% identified as Christian. The largest Christian groups were Catholic (12.3%) and Anglican (10.1%). Other religions included Buddhism (2.1%) and Islam (0.8%).

Sports and Fun in Sandy Bay

Sandy Bay has a long history of supporting many sports and fun activities. Its location near the Derwent River and its sports facilities make it a hub for both water and land sports.

Sandy Bay Football Club: The Seagulls

The Sandy Bay Football Club was known as the "Seagulls." It started in 1944. The club played in the Tasmanian Football League (TFL). They had a very successful time, winning eight championships. Their best years were between the 1960s and 1980s. The team played their home games at Queenborough Oval in Sandy Bay. This oval is still an important sports venue today.

The club closed down in 1997 because of money problems. But their impact on Tasmanian football is still remembered.

Cricket: A Popular Game

Cricket is also very popular in Sandy Bay. Matches are played at Queenborough Oval. This is the home ground of the Sandy Bay Cricket Club. The club plays in the Tasmanian Premier League. They have been part of local competitions for many years.

Rowing and Sailing: Water Sports

Sandy Bay's waterfront location means it has a strong tradition of rowing and sailing. The suburb is home to the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania (RYCT). It also has the Derwent Sailing Squadron. Both clubs host local and international sailing events. These include the finish of the famous Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race.

The Sandy Bay Rowing Club started in 1906. Its members often compete in state and national rowing events.

Derwent Sailing Squadron marina, c. 2018

Tennis and Bowls: More Sports

Tennis is well-established in Sandy Bay. There are courts at the University of Tasmania campus and local clubs. Lawn bowls is also played at the Sandy Bay Bowls Club. This club offers both competitive and social games.

Fun Places to Visit

Sandy Bay has many fun places for recreation. The Nutgrove Beach Reserve has walking paths, playgrounds, and picnic areas. The annual Sandy Bay Regatta is held on Australia Day. This long-standing event features sailing races, water sports, and family activities.

Homes in Sandy Bay: Real Estate

Sandy Bay has some of the most expensive homes in Tasmania. You can find fancy waterfront houses, luxury properties, and student accommodation. Streets like Osborne Esplanade and Churchill Avenue are known for their very expensive homes. The "Golden Mile" along Sandy Bay Road is especially popular. It offers great views of the Derwent River. It is also close to Hobart’s city centre. In 2024, the average house price in Sandy Bay was over $1.5 million. This makes it one of the most desired places to live in Tasmania.

Getting Around: Transport and Roads

Sandy Bay has a good road network. Sandy Bay Road is the main route. It connects the suburb to Hobart’s city centre and areas further south. The area also has paths for cycling and walking. These help residents and visitors get around easily.

Metro Tasmania runs regular bus services along Sandy Bay Road. These buses link Sandy Bay to Hobart's city centre and nearby areas.

A new ferry terminal is planned for Wrest Point. It is expected to be finished in 2028. This is part of a bigger plan to improve public transport along the Derwent River. The ferry aims to reduce traffic and offer another way to travel.

Famous People from Sandy Bay

Many notable people have lived in Sandy Bay, including:

• Bennett Brook (1912–1995) – A famous Tasmanian surgeon.
• Marta Dusseldorp – An actress known for her work on A Place to Call Home.
• Michael Ferguson – A politician and former Deputy Premier of Tasmania.
• Errol Flynn (1909-1959) – A Hollywood actor who spent part of his childhood here.
• Sir Guy Green – A former Governor of Tasmania.
• Louise Lovely (1895-1980) – An Australian actress and early silent film star.
• Lloyd Rees (1895-1988) – A Landscape painter who won the Wynne Prize twice.
• Grace Tame – An advocate and the 2021 Australian of the Year.
• Ben Winspear – An actor and director.