Low Head Pilot Station Maritime Museum

The basics

Although Low Head Pilot Station Maritime Museum is a bit of a drive from Launceston, you can combine it with other attractions along the Tamar River—such as the Tamar Island Wetlands Centre and George Town Watch House—on a self-guided day trip. Expect to spend an hour or so at the museum and then visit the Low Head Lighthouse, walk along coastal trails, or do a penguin-watching tour in the evening.

Things to know before you go

The museum caters to children and has many interactive elements to entertain them. Only the Seafood Shack provides food at Low Head, but George Town offers more variety. Volunteers are on hand to provide information and answer questions.

How to get there

The Maritime Museum is in the coastal community of Low Head, northwest of Launceston. Driving to the Low Head Pilot Station Maritime Museum from Launceston takes roughly 45 minutes and is the only way to reach this rural area. If coming from Devonport, you’ll have to take the Batman Bridge near Sidmouth, as it’s the only bridge over the Tamar River outside Launceston.

When to get there

You can visit the Low Head Pilot Station Maritime Museum daily during business hours. Visiting from December to March during summer is best if you’d like to swim at one of the nearby beaches. The museum and local accommodation shouldn’t get too busy in summer, even though it is Tasmania’s peak season, because of how small and out of the way Low Head is.

Where to stay at Low Head

Low Head Pilot Station offers an eclectic range of heritage buildings you can stay at if you want to spend longer in the area. Accommodation options include heritage cottages, a restored 19th-century chapel, a former schoolhouse, and a beach shack by the Lighthouse. They provide a convenient place to stay if you don’t want to drive back to Launceston in the dark after watching the penguins.