Things to do

Australian Axeman’s Hall of Fame

The Australian Axeman’s Hall of Fame is located at Bell’s Parade in Latrobe, and is home to where the very first World Woodchopping Championship was staged in 1891. Recently refurbished, the Australian Axeman’s Hall of Fame is Australia’s only national museum dedicated to this fascinating sport. Come in and meet the Legends and inductees of the Hall of Fame and be amazed by these colourful characters and their incredible stories.

Axeman’s Emporium

A fun day for the whole family! Makers Market is open several days a week, including classes on the weekdays and a full market on Sundays. The market has buskers and painters, and features amazing handcrafted goods such as paper tole, knitted garments, woodcraft, jewellery, and more.
Open Tuesday to Saturday 11am-3pm, Sunday 9am-3pm

Banksia Centre

The Banksia Centre in Port Sorell is a modern and versatile indoor sport, arts and meeting venue. A community Centre that is available for public hire or in conjunction with a group camp.

Bells Parade and Pig Island

Picturesque Bell’s Parade is situated on the Latrobe inlet of the Mersey River. It is named after Robert Bell, who with his half brother Henry Bentinck constructed a wharf and a store on the site in 1855.
From the 1880s it was the main port on the river, becoming northern Tasmania’s second major trading port for a period.

Old English trees on the Parade add visual splendour to the tranquillity and the barbecue facilities make it an ideal location for a picnic. It is also a popular spot during the warmer months for wedding ceremonies and photo opportunities.

Pig Island lies adjacent to Bells Parade and is a wonderful location to view platypus and the regions water based wildlife.

Beverley Skurulis Gallery

Beverley Skurulis is a highly recognised Australian artist who for 30 years lived and painted the Pilbara & Kimberley outback.

Carolyn Mclennan Hairdressing

Carolyn Mclennan Hairdressing provide a friendly atmosphere with experienced staff. As well as hairdressing services they also stock a range of gifts clothing and Delorenzo products.

Dog Friendly Beaches/Off-Leash Exercise Areas

Bringing your furry friend? You’ll fit right into the dog-loving Port Sorell community. You should always bring a lead just in case, but here are some great spots to let your dog run free.

Fishing and Boating

Why not throw a line in at one of the many beaches or jetties in the area, or launch your boat for a day out on the water?

The ocean here is a Shark Refuge Area, so no taking of shark, skates and rays. However, some of the fish you may hook include mullet, flathead and salmon.

Fonz’s Woodcraft Gallery

Specialising in Huon Pine Products – the aroma of the Huon Pine almost enough itself to draw you into this amazing timber gallery.

Get Shipwrecked in Shearwater

Take the time to visit Shearwater Village and discover the natural playground, shipwrecks, public seating and brightly painted public amenities all recently completed by the Shearwater 7 Day Makeover Team, as part of an ongoing beautification project for the area, themed “Get Shipwrecked in Shearwater”. The natural playground is well loved by local parents and features a dry creek bed, boardwalk, stacking stones, balance beams and there is plenty of seating scattered around the area. It is conveniently located near the cafes and shops so you can grab a coffee and some lunch while you watch the kids play.

Ghost Rock Wines – Cellar Door & Café

Twice crowned Tourism Tasmania’s ‘Best Cellar Door’ – Ghost Rock Vineyard, offers wine tastings of it’s entire range. Do a tasting and stay for lunch, with a grazing menu featuring local artisan produce. Striking views over vineyards, rolling countryside and Bass Strait, it’s easy to see why it’s a popular hangout.

Golf Courses

Interested in a round of golf?
The Port Sorell area has two 9-hole courses at Shearwater and Thirlstane.
Contact the clubs to check on local fixtures:
Port Sorell Golf Club
21 Shearwater Blvd
Phone: 03 6428 7993
Thirlstane Golf Club
291 Squeaking Point Road,
Phone:03 6428 6488

Halcyon Wellness & Gifts

A combination wellness and gifts retail outlet with a holistic wellness centre, offering a range of therapeutic and relaxation treatments.

Whether you need some time out to relax; to address those niggling health problems or find some beautiful ethically sourced gifts, the team at Halcyon can help you on find your path to vitality.

Henry Somerset Orchid Conservation Reserve

The Henry Somerset Orchid Conservation Reserve is home to over 50 species of orchids, many listed as endangered or rare and some endemic to Tasmania and the local area. The orchids are best seen during the flowering season from October to December, though some flower outside this period and others do not flower every year. The orchids can be difficult to find as they range is size from 60cm to 2cm. This area is a gazetted Conservation area owned by North Forests and partly managed by the Parks and Wildlife Service.

House of Anvers Chocolate Factory

Breakfast in a chocolate factory anyone? Enjoy Belgian-style breakfast with fresh coffee or hot chocolate. Morning/afternoon tea and lunch available. Factory viewings and free chocolate tastings. Open 7am-5pm seven days a week.

Kart Magic Entertainment Centre

Latrobe is a fitting setting for our state of the art go-karting track – Kart Magic. Come and soak up the atmosphere for a great racing experience. The purpose-built racing circuit has pit lane, fast sweepers tight hairpins and much more. Kart Magic simply = fun for everyone! Open to all from 3 years of age and above. Enquire about our Tandem Cart.

Latrobe Village Market

Come one, come all! The Latrobe Village Market is a community street market that takes place each Sunday from 7.00am until 2.00pm in the main street of Latrobe. You can browse through up to 40 stalls filled with a variety of goods, including clothing, antiques, books, toys and jewellery. Fresh produce is also available – it’s a great chance to support and mingle with the local community.

Local Beaches, Walks and Reserves

The area is famous for its beautiful outdoors. Whether you’re looking to take a gentle stroll, get that perfect sunrise photo, or enjoy a swim, the area around Port Sorell is the place to do it.

Muse. Shearwater

Muse. Shearwater is a Lifestyle store featuring women’s clothing, shoes and accessories and an eclectic mix of homewares, furniture, baby, books and eco items with a natural/coastal vibe. Included in-store is an Espresso Bar serving amazing coffee, cakes, and pastries. Most of the products on the menu are available in store, so you will be able to take the delicious taste of Tasmania home with you!

Parks and Family Picnic Spots

Bring your swimmers, bike and picnic basket – and don’t forget the kids! Panatana Rivulet Toddler’s Pool and Picnic Area Located off Port Street, Port Sorell A great spot for family fun with a playground, fenced shallow toddler’s pool, basketball hoop, barbeques, picnic seats and toilet block. When the tide is high, you’ll find yourself surrounded by crystal-clear water, or if it’s low, you can walk straight out and take the kids on a sandy adventure to see crabs, shells and oysters – maybe even venture out to the islands on foot! Pirate Ship Park Located near the Port Sorell Surf Lifesaving Club If you’re visiting Hawley Beach or Freers Beach, this is the perfect place to stop by with

Port Sorell Surf Lifesaving Club

A friendly family club, located at the northern end of Freers Beach. We conduct patrols, surf sports, courses and more. (Friday Nights and warmer months only – check with the club)

Pots of love

The store stocks indoor plants, handmade and designer planters, unique pots and also specialises in plant care. With new stock arriving weekly, you can be guaranteed that there is something here for everyone.

Reliquaire

Reliquaire is a wonderland of eclectic toys, jewellery, games, soaps and candles, handbags clothing, Venetian masks, books, puppets, science and education, Tasmanian produce, homemade fudge, leadlight lamps, bronze statues, restoration supplies and antique furniture.

Rubicon River Arts Inc

Rubicon River Arts Inc located at the Latrobe Arts Hub is a place to explore, develop and share your creative skills or to simply appreciate the diversity and the quality of local artists.

Shear Skin and Beauty

A beautiful warm, inviting Beauty salon in the heart of Shearwater.

Specialising in 100% Organic Facials and Peels, Dermapen4 Skin Needling & LED Facial Therapy Light. Remedial and relaxation Massage by qualified massage therapists (private health rebates available). Manicures, Builder Gel manicures & pedicures with over 120 gel polish colours to pick from. Waxing, tinting & Spray Tans. Brow & Lip Tattooing now available too. Stockists of Organicspa Skincare & Runway Room Cosmetics.

We pride ourselves on providing you with high quality treatments and services and support Australian-made products.

Sherwood Hall (circa 1850)

Sherwood Hall is regarded as one of Australia’s most unique wooden colonial homes, built by the remarkable pioneer couple, ex-convict Thomas Johnson and his wife Dolly Dalrymple Briggs. Dolly (her nickname) was christened Dalrymple. She was one of four daughters of Woretemoeteryenner of the Trawlwoolway people from the far NE of Tasmania and of George Briggs, a sealer and straitsman.

Simon Martin Whips & Leathercraft

Simon Martin Whips & Leathercraft manufacture and stock a range of leather goods.

Something 4 Everyone

Something 4 Everyone is a modern gift and Souvenir shop, offering a wide variety of products at affordable prices, including jewellery, handbags, kid’s toys, giftware, AFL Merchandise, a huge range of silk flowers some Tassie souvenirs plus much much more.

At 146 Gilbert St is where you will find the perfect gift for any budget.

Sports and Beach Activities

Kayaking, body boarding and paddle boarding are popular pursuits in Port Sorell’s beach-loving community. The calm clear waters that the area is famous for are perfect for water sports and if you head out at sunrise or sunset, the view is truly breathtaking.

The Quiet Cone

Offering deep relaxation with symphonic gongs and Himalayan bowls. Public and private sessions available.

Everything around us is frequency and vibration. Sound therapy utilises instruments with a particular type of vibration, like symphonic gongs, Tibetan healing bowls and crystal bowls to restore the natural frequency flow to the body. Many studies have now been done on the effects of sound vibration on a cellular level, and all show that it can help to restore balance and integrity on a cellular and systemic level.
Symphonic gongs also have the ability to stimulate theta and gamma brain waves which allow for the processing of subconscious emotions, reduction of stress hormones, increase ‘feel good’ chemicals in the body like serotonin and are associated with deep states of meditation.
During our Gong Relaxation Sessions, you will be invited to make yourself comfortable lying down, and then will be fully immersed into the sound of the symphonic gongs. Most people find themselves in a deep state of relaxation and occasionally experience some strange physical sensations and blockages are shifted from the body.

Our sessions are held around the NW Coast of Tasmania and we are also available for private sessions, work or school groups etc. Please see below for available dates and events.

The Trend Shed

The Trend Shed stocks women’s fashion, homewares, gifts, coastal and Scandi homewares and furniture. They also have a cosy coffee shop, serving coffee, snacks, cakes, and light lunches in a comfortable environment with friendly staff.

Warrawee Forest Reserve – “Platypus Capital of the World”

Right on the banks of the Mersey River, this is the best place in the Latrobe area to see platypus in their natural environment – late afternoon, dusk and first light are ideal visiting times to catch a glimpse. The track along the river offers a serene and magical walking experience, or if you’re up for an adrenaline rush, check out the mountain bike routes throughout the reserve.

Water Sports

Kayaking
Take in the picturesque view from your Kayak or Stand up paddleboard while drifting along the Rubicon Riverlet or do as many locals do and head out for that amazing sunrise along one of the many beaches. You don’t need to carry your craft very far as parking is available right on the foreshore. If you’re after more of a challenge, from the beach paddle across to Bakers Beach and Narawntapu National Park.

Jetty Jumping
Popular with teenagers all summer long! At high tide, you’ll see many of the locals and campers in their wetsuits flock to the Port Sorell Jetty. Please note, this is not a regulated activity and is only for strong swimmers – there is a big drop-off at the beach and anyone jumping from the jetty should take care.

Surfing and Body Boarding
While the surf isn’t huge at Hawley, it makes a great spot for kids and those that are still learning the skill, while saying that, when there is a bit of a stormy day, the waves become quite big and you will see locals turning up from everywhere! Body boarding is also popular with locals and visitors alike. The most used beach for these activities is along the Hawley Esplanade, opposite Sankey Street.

Wattle Hill Olives

Boasting over 2000 trees with Spanish and French varieties, Wattle Hill Olives produces award-winning Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Irresistible balsamic olive oil salad dressing and dipping sauces are also available.

Wild Mersey Mountain Bike Trails

WORLD-CLASS MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAIL NETWORK IN THE NORTH WEST OF TASMANIA

Over 98 kilometres of mixed-landscape riding that is perfect for multi-day exploring across 3 locations. There are three interconnected trail networks in Latrobe, Railton and Sheffield.

The Wild Mersey is home to a range of unique activities for all types of adventurers. Whether you are planning to bring the whole family or looking for some alone time, there are many locations to be explored and experiences to be had.

You Deserve It and Slimey

Latrobe’s very own Lolly Shop – lollies to suit everyone’s taste buds and budgets. Valhalla Ice Cream and amazing milkshakes and thickshakes