Cygnet, Tasmania
Encyclopedia
Cygnet is a small town 55 kilometres south west of Hobart
, in the Huon Valley
in Tasmania
. At the 2006 census
, Cygnet had a population of 839.
in 1793, because he observed a large number of swans in the area.
The first European settler in the district was William Nichols in 1834. His grandson, John Wilson, established a shipbuilding business at what was now known as Port Cygnet.
In 1840 the township of Port Cygnet was surveyed. The Post Office opened on January 1, 1854. The town was known as Port Cygnet until 1895, Lovett until 1915 and then Cygnet.
hostel
s, a public golf course, and a Camping Ground. There are also several art studios, a print workshop with an old print press, a library linked to the collection of the State Library of Tasmania
and a museum. Cygnet is something of a local mecca for artists and creative types in the region. About a mile south of the city center is a safe anchorage for pleasure craft with easy road access to Cygnet.
Events in Cygnet include the Cygnet Folk Festival http://www.cygnetfolkfestival.org and the Harvest Festival. There are also some film festivals and art exhibitions. http://www.haeg.org.au/
Hobart
Hobart is the state capital and most populous city of the Australian island state of Tasmania. Founded in 1804 as a penal colony,Hobart is Australia's second oldest capital city after Sydney. In 2009, the city had a greater area population of approximately 212,019. A resident of Hobart is known as...
, in the Huon Valley
Huon Valley
The Huon Valley Council is a Local Government Area of Tasmania. It is the southern-most local government area in Australia.It encompasses the town of Huonville, on the Huon River, some surrounding towns, and many protected areas and forestry plantations...
in Tasmania
Tasmania
Tasmania is an Australian island and state. It is south of the continent, separated by Bass Strait. The state includes the island of Tasmania—the 26th largest island in the world—and the surrounding islands. The state has a population of 507,626 , of whom almost half reside in the greater Hobart...
. At the 2006 census
Census in Australia
The Australian census is administered once every five years by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. The most recent census was conducted on 9 August 2011; the next will be conducted in 2016. Prior to the introduction of regular censuses in 1961, they had also been run in 1901, 1911, 1921, 1933,...
, Cygnet had a population of 839.
History
The bay on which Cygnet sits was named Port des Cygnes (Port of Swans) by French navigator Bruni D'EntrecasteauxBruni d'Entrecasteaux
Antoine Raymond Joseph de Bruni d'Entrecasteaux was a French navigator who explored the Australian coast in 1792 while seeking traces of the lost expedition of La Pérouse....
in 1793, because he observed a large number of swans in the area.
The first European settler in the district was William Nichols in 1834. His grandson, John Wilson, established a shipbuilding business at what was now known as Port Cygnet.
In 1840 the township of Port Cygnet was surveyed. The Post Office opened on January 1, 1854. The town was known as Port Cygnet until 1895, Lovett until 1915 and then Cygnet.
The Town today
There are three pubs, two petrol stations (one with an ATM), a Commonwealth Bank (but no ATM), and two IGA Supermarkets. Cygnet also hosts many cafes, a hardware store, a couple of backpackersBackpacking (travel)
Backpacking is a term that has historically been used to denote a form of low-cost, independent international travel. Terms such as independent travel and/or budget travel are often used...
hostel
Hostel
Hostels provide budget oriented, sociable accommodation where guests can rent a bed, usually a bunk bed, in a dormitory and share a bathroom, lounge and sometimes a kitchen. Rooms can be mixed or single-sex, although private rooms may also be available...
s, a public golf course, and a Camping Ground. There are also several art studios, a print workshop with an old print press, a library linked to the collection of the State Library of Tasmania
State Library of Tasmania
The State Library of Tasmania is the organisation which runs the library system in the state of Tasmania, Australia. The State Library operates as part of the Tasmanian Department of Education, and maintains close ties with Tasmanian schools and senior secondary colleges.The headquarters of the...
and a museum. Cygnet is something of a local mecca for artists and creative types in the region. About a mile south of the city center is a safe anchorage for pleasure craft with easy road access to Cygnet.
Events in Cygnet include the Cygnet Folk Festival http://www.cygnetfolkfestival.org and the Harvest Festival. There are also some film festivals and art exhibitions. http://www.haeg.org.au/