Low Head

For the headland in Antarctica, see Low Head (Antarctica).

Low Head is a rural residential locality in the local government area (LGA) of George Town in the Launceston LGA region of Tasmania. The locality is about 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) north of the town of George Town. The 2016 census recorded a population of 572 for the state suburb of Low Head.^[1] It is a suburb of George Town, on a peninsula at the mouth of the Tamar River.

Low Head Tasmania
Low Head Pilot Station
Low Head
Coordinates	41°4′0″S 146°48′0″E
Population	572 (2016 census)[1]
Postcode(s)	7253
Elevation	28 m (92 ft)[2]
Location	252 km (157 mi) N of Hobart 55 km (34 mi) N of Launceston 5 km (3 mi) N of George Town
LGA(s)	George Town Council
Region	Launceston
State electorate(s)	Bass
Federal division(s)	Bass
Localities around Low Head: Bass Strait Bass Strait Bass Strait Tamar River Low Head George Town Tamar River George Town George Town

It is a popular snorkel and scuba diving area during much of the year, with extensive wide, unspoiled beaches.

The area also has a lighthouse, beaches and a colony of little penguins (Eudyptula minor).

The foghorn, a Chance Brothers "Type G" diaphone at Low Head Lighthouse, is the only operable foghorn of its type and is popular with tourists as it is sounded at noon every Sunday.

History

Low Head was gazetted as a locality in 1967.^[3] The first Low Head Post Office opened on 12 September 1887 and closed in 1894.^[4] In 1996 the MV Iron Baron ran aground on Hebe Reef, off Low Head, causing the worst oil disaster in Australia's history.

Geography

The waters of the Tamar River estuary (also known as Port Dalrymple) and Bass Strait form the western to north-eastern boundaries. The George Town Aerodrome is within the locality.^[5]

Climate

Low Head has a temperate oceanic climate (Köppen: Cfb), bordering on a warm Mediterranean climate.

Climate data for Low Head
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Record high °C (°F)	28.6 (83.5)	28.7 (83.7)	26.1 (79.0)	23.1 (73.6)	20.4 (68.7)	18.0 (64.4)	16.1 (61.0)	17.2 (63.0)	20.6 (69.1)	21.2 (70.2)	24.8 (76.6)	25.7 (78.3)	28.7 (83.7)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)	20.7 (69.3)	21.2 (70.2)	20.1 (68.2)	17.8 (64.0)	15.4 (59.7)	13.5 (56.3)	12.8 (55.0)	13.1 (55.6)	14.1 (57.4)	15.5 (59.9)	17.5 (63.5)	19.1 (66.4)	16.7 (62.1)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)	14.5 (58.1)	14.6 (58.3)	13.4 (56.1)	11.2 (52.2)	9.4 (48.9)	7.5 (45.5)	7.0 (44.6)	7.4 (45.3)	8.5 (47.3)	9.6 (49.3)	11.4 (52.5)	12.9 (55.2)	10.6 (51.1)
Record low °C (°F)	8.2 (46.8)	8.1 (46.6)	7.0 (44.6)	3.7 (38.7)	2.6 (36.7)	0.8 (33.4)	0.6 (33.1)	0.5 (32.9)	1.4 (34.5)	3.9 (39.0)	5.1 (41.2)	6.5 (43.7)	0.5 (32.9)
Average rainfall mm (inches)	46.6 (1.83)	27.0 (1.06)	50.6 (1.99)	55.9 (2.20)	61.4 (2.42)	75.2 (2.96)	74.2 (2.92)	76.6 (3.02)	57.3 (2.26)	54.0 (2.13)	52.9 (2.08)	43.8 (1.72)	674.0 (26.54)
Average rainy days (≥ 0.2 mm)	6.9	6.6	7.8	9.6	12.7	14.1	15.9	15.7	14.3	11.8	9.6	8.9	133.9
Average afternoon relative humidity (%)	68	66	64	66	69	72	71	71	71	68	68	66	68
Source: Bureau of Meteorology (1997–2024 averages;[6] extremes 1980–present)

Road infrastructure

Route A8 (Low Head Road) runs through from south-west to north-west, where it terminates.^[3][7]

See also

• Wesele Cove