Ochre was an important cultural resource for the  leenerrerter . Aboriginal women obtained and prepared ochre.   It was ground into a sacred powder and used for ceremonial  body and tree marking. It was also mixed with grease to  waterproof the body, hair and beards of the men.  Present day Tasmanian Aborigines still consider ochre to   be a special cultural resource.  Polelerwine  (red ochre) is  highly prized.  ...

In 1926 the North East Advertiser describes a working bee of over 40 cars and 180 men and boys converged on Bridport to clear a mile of foreshore, construct a promenade, and erect picnic tables and seats and repair bathing sheds. The working bee was a great success and an illustration of what can be achieved by cooperation and organisations.

In 1869 the government let tenders for the construction of a jetty over the Bid River, near the bridge. Up until that time the description of the river and operations were; the jetty is a heap of stones and few planks, and the entrance to the river is crooked and awkward and does not admit vessels of large tonnage. A new structure is required while tin continues to be shipped out. If that fails, Bridport will go in to consumption. In 1855 a...

Above photo of  Beach Girl Competition Eastmans Beach, Regatta Day 1947   An excerpt from The Eastern Advertiser on March 19th, 1915 describes:  an idyllic Bridport scene that carries through to the present day in events like the Bridport Splash: An enjoyable day at the seaside. Ideal weather conditions meant the sports meeting was largely attended and eminently successful. There was a happy and boisterous crowd. The port presented an unusually...

The She-oak  ( Allocasuarina littoralis )  ‘closed’ forests are remarkably quiet.  It is the most drought resistant  tree in Tasmania.  The needle like foliage is a dull dark grey.  The fallen needles create a soft cushioning mat. The nut of the she-oak is also an important cultural resource for the Aboriginal people.    

Starting at Main Street the first part of the walk is along an elevated rock path on tidal flat through a Swamp Paperbark,(Melaleucaericifolia) community.

While walking in this area you may see one of the resident platypuses that call this tract of river home.

The River-Forest Track can begin either at the road bridge on Main Street near the entrance to the town or at the corner of Maxwell Street and Sandy Point Road.  A third shorter segment can be taken in either direction at the Elizabeth Street entry point.   This area is now a river or riparian reserve.  In Tasmania, these reserves were created to provide public access to water courses and protect native flora. The River-Forest Track was...

Turned On By Minister for Lands and Works The Bridport water supply was officially opened by the Minister for Lands and Works (Major T. H. Davies) on Saturday. The provision of water for Bridport had been discussed for years before a practicable scheme was proposed by the public works engineer (Mr. A. F.Ritchic).. The construction engineer was Mr. C. W. Davenport. The water is taken from the Brid River, and by means of a turbine is pumped to...

“ The new track is the result of many years of planning and collaboration ” $1 million walking track to open BRIDPORT Innovations will officially open the Bridport River – Forest Walking Track on Friday July 29, at 1.00pm. The opening will showcase the work of the 30 trainees and team leaders who constructed the track and will mark their formal graduation from the training pro- grammes that has been a key part of the track construction....

Natural beauty and history showcased The State Government provided $216,000 for the walking track. Labor Member for Bass Michelle O’Byrne said it was an exciting addition to the town and would complement golfing and tourism developments in the region. “The community has nurtured this project since the early 1990s and is to be congratulated for their vision and seeing this project through to fruition,” Ms O’Byrne said. “The track is a wonderful...

THE Federal Government provided $750,000 through the Jobs Fund scheme. Federal Member for Bass, Geoff Lyons, said the project created 21 full time jobs and 30 traineeships for local people. “This development project has brought much-needed jobs to the people of Bridport and enabled the track workers to gain a Certificate II in Conservation Land Management.” “The money invested in the walking track is having a flow-on benefit to the community...