Geeveston, Tasmania

Infobox Australian Place | type = town
name = Geeveston
state = tas

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caption = Geeveston bakery with the town's iconic wood carvings.
lga = Huon Valley Council
postcode = 7116
est = 1842
pop = 1,585 (2006) [Census 2006 AUS|id=SSC65446|name=Geeveston (State Suburb)|quick=on|accessdate=2008-02-28]
elevation= 115
maxtemp =
mintemp =
rainfall =
stategov = Franklin
fedgov = Franklin
dist1 = 62
dir1 = SW
location1= Hobart
dist2 = 12
dir2 = W
location2= Cygnet

Geeveston is a small Australian town located in the south of Tasmania on the Huon River, 62 km south west of Hobart, making it Australia's most southerly administrative centre. [ [http://au.travel.yahoo.com/guide/australia/tasmania/geeveston/index.html#destintro Geeveston] , "Yahoo!7 Travel".] The town takes its name from William Geeves, an English settler who was given a land grant by Lady Jane Franklin in the area then known as Lightwood Bottom (after a type of timber prevalent in the area). The settlement Geeves set up was renamed Geeves Town in 1861, and the name eventually became Geeveston. [http://www.smh.com.au/news/Tasmania/Geeveston/2005/02/17/1108500205770.html Geeveston] , "The Sydney Morning Herald", February 8 2004.]

Geeveston is located on the Huon Highway, and is the gateway to the Hartz Mountains National Park. It is the centre of Tasmania's apple and fruit-growing industry, and has also been highly reliant on the timber industry since the late 19th century. A pulp mill was opened in the town in 1962, and was Geeveston's largest employer until the plant closed in 1982, devastating the area economically. [Courtney, Pip: [http://www.abc.net.au/landline/content/2004/s1181101.htm Positive approach regenerates timber town] , "Landline" (ABC TV), August 22 2004.] The Forest & Heritage Centre, a tourist centre which details the history of the timber industry in the area, is located in Geeveston.

References

External links

* [http://www.tco.asn.au/oac/home.cgi?oacID=5 Geeveston Online Access Centre]