| Tamar River | |
| River | |
| Country | Australia |
|---|---|
| Region | Tasmania |
| City | Launceston, Tasmania |
| Source | |
| - location | North Esk River and South Esk River |
| Mouth | Low Head |
| Length | 70 km (43 mi) |
The Tamar River is a 70 kilometre estuarine in northern Tasmania formed by the merging of the North Esk River and South Esk Rivers at Launceston (the largest settlement) to its mouth at Low Head, north of the second largest settlement George Town[1] and into the Bass Strait. Low Head Lighthouse is located at the tip of a peninsula, on the east side of the mouth of the Tamar River.
The Tamar River was named for the River Tamar in Great Britain which passes Launceston, Cornwall. Despite its name it is not actually a river as it is saline and tidal over its entire length. The only full crossing of the Tamar is the Batman Bridge in the relatively remote area of Sidmouth, around half way up the river.
Although the Port of Launceston is now used very little in comparison to the past[2] and the SeaCat Tasmania ferry no longer docks at George Town,[3] the Tamar still is used for shipping, with light and heavy industries at Georgetown (including aluminimum smelters) as well as commercial boat cruises.[4]