Low Head combines maritime heritage with a wildlife experience that shapes the rhythm of the day: penguins come ashore at sunset, while the lighthouse and pilot station tell the story of the place. When planning your visit, it is worth keeping the different experiences and their conditions in mind.
Penguins at sunset
Low Head Penguin Tours run every evening at sunset. At Low Head Coastal Reserve, little penguins come ashore from the sea; little blue penguins return from Bass Strait to nest in their burrows. This nature experience is seasonal. Check the tour date before booking.
The tour is fully guided and lasts up to an hour. It includes an easy three-minute walk to a viewing platform overlooking the beach. Boxthorn bushes line the Coastal Reserve, giving this stretch of coast another distinctive feature. For planning your day, the tour duration and the walk are two separate details: the three minutes refers to the walk to the platform, not the entire tour.
Pilot station, museum and lighthouse
The area’s maritime history is reflected in several buildings and spans different periods. The pilot station at Low Head has been operating since 1805 and includes Australia’s oldest surviving pilot buildings. Low Head Light Station was the third lighthouse station built in Australia and has been in continuous operation since 1833. It stands on a rocky headland overlooking Bass Strait.
The Low Head precinct includes a wide variety of 19th-century maritime buildings. The Low Head Pilot Station Maritime Museum is located in Pilots Row, a building constructed by convicts in 1835. The museum explores stories of shipping on the Tamar River and also offers guided tours for visitors. Check the current arrangements for these tours before your trip.
The three dates mark different parts of the area’s history: 1805 marks the beginning of the pilot station, 1833 the lighthouse station’s continuous operation, and 1835 the construction of the Pilots Row building. Those interested in maritime history can consider the station, museum and lighthouse as separate stops on a themed visit.
Getting around and trails
Low Head is about 6 km north of Georgetown on Low Head Road. Access to Low Head Light Station leads from the road through a landscaped gate to a small public car park. A gravel access road continues to the tip of the headland. From the gate, access leads to the small public car park, then continues along a gravel access road to the tip of the headland.
The kanamaluka Trail is a 6 km shared path for cyclists and pedestrians, running from George Town to Low Head Lighthouse. Its length is a different planning consideration from the penguin tour, which lasts up to an hour. If you plan to use the trail, check the current trail conditions before your trip.
Choose accommodation to suit your plans
When looking for a hotel in Low Head, you can start by considering which experiences you want to shape your stay. The penguin tour takes place in the evening; confirm arrangements for museum tours before your trip. If you plan to include the kanamaluka Trail, also check the trail conditions.
Discover more destinations: Scamander, Devonport, Windermere, Adventure Bay, Launceston, Seven Mile Beach, Alonnah, Barrington
For the main travel overview: Tasmania.
