| From "Coming Events in Tasmania", February 1963
Tuna fishing is the sport of specialists really and in America where it is the popular pastime of the rich, big money is spent on equipment. In Orford, however, a boat and equipment can be hired by the day and with the help of the skipper, the charterer could end the day posing at the side of a suspended monster, just as they do in America. But there are plenty of smaller fish too, if the big league species are considered too large for the camp's frying pan. Boats can be hired for a day's or half a day's trip or the angler can fish from the Orford Bridge. Fish, however, although one of the main industries of Orford, is by no means its only vacation attraction. It is but one of many that his delightful little east coast resort has to offer the tourist. The residents of Orford like to refer to their town as "the scenic gem of the east coast" and many who have holidayed there will go along with that description. Any seaboard town with a ruggedly beautiful island such as Maria Island standing offshore like some huge stage backdrop must leave vivid impressions on the visitor and he could depart with the conviction that the scenery is unsurpassed. Orford is only 50 miles from Hobart and is linked by the sealed Tasman Highway. It is a pleasant drive too. For those who like history, the following information will be of interest The first east coast road, which was built by probation gangs of convicts who were stationed at stations along the route, ran from Richmond to Buckland, then to Paradise and from there behind the hill to join the present road to Spring Bay. And along that old road were 35 gates to open and shut. On the way in to Orford a visit should be made to the historic St John the Baptist Church at Buckland to enjoy the beauty of its superb windows and mellow stonework... ...Closer to Orford the towering rocks of Paradise Gorge and the Prosser River offer the first promise of the scenery which has given Orford its descriptive line. Anybody not tied down to a tight schedule should linger for a while at Orford. he will find the stay enjoyable and rewarding. At Orford there is a first class motor hotel, flats, a spacious camping ground and sites for caravans. The view from the lounge and dining room of the motel is, whatever the weather, quite breathtaking. For campers or caravanners there are shops, a roadhouse and snack bar to provide meals and supplies. The tourist, once settled in, should set out to explore his surroundings. From the northern end of the town to Rheban, seven miles south of Orford, there are many glorious, hard beaches, where swimming is safe at all times. In autumn and spring, thousands of shells are to be found, especially scallop shells. And always to seaward there is the beautiful, blue, mountainous Maria Island with its many aspects tantalisingly posed for the camera. The tourist who is fond of walking with a side interest in history should follow the old convict road up the northern bank of the Prosser River, cross the stony bed of a tributary, climb the bank to the right of the old road to the relics of an old convict built station. The use made in the early days of loose rocks in the building of soldiers' quarters and convicts' cells will amaze him. And if he wishes to see more of the links with early history, a drive three miles southward of Orford will take him to the turn off to the stone quarry which supplied stone for many old Tasmanian buildings and for the Law Courts in Melbourne. In the quarry are some of the original oyster bay pine props used to hold ledges of stone in place, and still fulfilling their purpose. Oyster bay pines are only found on the east coast and they are worth a section of film. The slabs of stone still lying in the quarry are marked by the picks of men long since forgotten... ...It is interesting to note that the name of Orford is connected with the first white settlement in the area. Among the first settlers was Edward Walpole who was related to Horatio Walpole, Earl of Orford of Wolterton, in the county of Norfolk in England. The whaleboats have long gone from Prosser Bay but now speed boats and water skiers churn up the waters. At Easter there is a regatta featuring power boats and runabouts, launches and rowing boats, and swimming events are usually held. There is a scenic nine hole golf course available to visitors who are members of golf clubs and there is a tennis court at Blue Waters Motel. Shelley Beach and Spring Beach, which are "suburbs" of Orford, are the "shack" areas and some most attractive cottages have been created there. |
