Prior to European settlement this part of the Tasmanian East Coast was inhabited by the Kunnarra Kuna group of the Pyemmairrener Aboriginal people who had lived here for thousands of years.
In 1772 the first European to sight the area was Captain Tobias Furneaux. He was captain of the HMS Adventure accompanying Captain James Cook on his second voyage to the South Seas, but was separated from the rest of the fleet and explored much of the eastern coast of Van Diemen's Land. He named the southern point of Georges Bay, St Helens Point after St Helens on the Isle of Wight and went on to name the Bay of Fires because he saw Aboriginal fires on the shores.
In 1824 Thomas Scott named Geordies River, now known as Georges River.
The first official land grant was issued in 1830, in the area known then as Georges Bay. The local Aborigines were known as the Georges Bay tribe. In 1833 a whaling station was established at Binalong Bay which became a base for whaling and sealing for around two years.
In 1835 the small village on the bay was renamed St Helens.
Tin was discovered at Blue Tier in 1874 by George Renison Bell and St Helens grew rapidly as miners arrived and the tin was shipped out. It is estimated that more than 1000 Chinese arrived in that period.
By the beginning of the twentieth century the mines were exhausted. Miners moved away from the area although many settled in St Helens.
The town changed from mining to fishing with boat building and ships chandlery developing to meet the needs of the fishing fleet.
Today tourism, a combination of family holidays, excellent fishing and the town's mild climate, are the basis of the local economy.
Here are some activities we believe you will find attractive:
Fishing; birdwatching; mountain bike riding; orienteering; visiting St Mary's, Elephant Pass, The Pub in the Paddock; or just relaxing.
Travelling further afield can take you to some of the most spectacular coastal scenery in Tasmania and you should not miss out on a drive south to Bicheno.
Now there is a quick Adventure Lab for you to enjoy and a cache to find.
What else could your want?
Once you have successfully completed the Adventure Lab it will lead you to this BONUS cache.
Use your phone's native QR code scanner to open this Adventure in the Adventure Lab® mobile app, or share the following URL:
https://adventurelab.page.link/3GTZ
You can find the cache at:
S41 19.ABC E148 14.CDE