Geography

l.c Settlement of the South East follow the two major rivers of the region that flow from their sources in the western half of the state. The Derwent River flows south east from Lake St Clair in the Central Highlands, passing the townships of Ouse, Hamilton, New Norfolk and Bridgewater, before widening into the estuary on which Hobart was established. Further to the south, the Huon River, which rises amidst the mountain ranges of the South-West, flows eastward to the town of Huonville before reaching the coast. A third region of settlement is the Richmond-Campaigna area, which is based about the Cole River (not shown on the map above). This river reaches the coast at Sorell.

The South-East Coast has several significant peninsulas and Islands. The South-West National Park extends all the way to South-East Cape, as far south as one can drive in the state. Further the coast north past the towns of Dover and Geeveston is Bruny Island, a long island separated into two sections by a narrow isthmus. Between Bruny Island and the main coast is the D'Entrecasteaux Channel. Significant towns along the Channel are (running south to north) Cygnet, Kettering, Margate and Snug, before one enters the Derwent Estuary.

Two peninsulas lie along the coast east of Hobart. The first is South Arm, a long spit of sand that forms a sheltered bay facing back towards Hobart. Further east, the Tasman Peninsula juts out into the Tasman Sea. Linked to the mainland by only a thin strip of land, it was a perfect place for Tasmania's main penal settlement at Port Arthur.

North of the Tasman Peninsula is the beginning of the East Coast, with the townships of Orford and Triabunna, and Maria Island.