Cygnet, Tasmania

Cygnet Tasmania
Cygnet
Population:	839[1]
Postcode:	7112
Location:	56 km (35 mi) SW of Hobart 18 km (11 mi) S of Huonville 12 km (7 mi) SE of Woodstock
LGA:	Huon Valley Council
State District:	Franklin
Federal Division:	Franklin
Mean max temp Mean min temp Annual rainfall 16.8 °C 62 °F 6.0 °C 43 °F 892 mm 35.1 in

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.^[1]

History

The bay on which Cygnet sits was named Port des Cygnes (Port of Swans) by French navigator Bruni D'Entrecasteaux 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.^[2]

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 backpackers hostels, 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 [1] and the Harvest Festival. There are also some film festivals and art exhibitions. [2]

References

1. ^ ^{a b} Australian Bureau of Statistics (25 October 2007). "Cygnet (L) (Urban Centre/Locality)". 2006 Census QuickStats. http://www.censusdata.abs.gov.au/ABSNavigation/prenav/LocationSearch?collection=Census&period=2006&areacode=UCL603400&producttype=QuickStats&breadcrumb=PL&action=401. Retrieved 9 November 2011. 
2. ^ Premier Postal History, Post Office List, https://www.premierpostal.com/cgi-bin/wsProd.sh/Viewpocdwrapper.p?SortBy=VIC&country=, retrieved 2008-04-11 

External links

• The Age – Travel: Cygnet

Coordinates: 43°09′S 147°04′E / 43.15°S 147.067°E / -43.15; 147.067