Hawley Beach, Tasmania

On Tasmania’s north coast, Hawley Beach is both a 750 metre safe swimming beach and a suburb of Port Sorell. Hawley Beach accommodation is available at Hawley House.

Hawley Beach, Tasmania, is both a beach and a settlement that takes its name from the beach. To add to the confusion, it’s both a suburb of Port Sorell, and at the entrance to Port Sorell rather than inside the natural harbour itself.

Where is Hawley Beach, Tasmania?

Hawley Beach is on the western side of the port entrance, facing across the water towards Narawntapu National Park. The nearest large town is Devonport, where the Spirit of Tasmania ferry arrives, 21km to the east.

This northern Tasmanian beach is about 750 metres long, and gets significant protection from Taroona Point to the south, as well as the rocks at the northern end.

Surfing or swimming at Hawley Beach, Tasmania?

This means that surfers aren’t going to get much joy here – the swell is generally too flat, getting no higher than half a metre most of the time.

Hawley Beach is, therefore, relatively safe for swimming. That said, swimmers do need to look out for submerged rocks and reef. There can also be pretty fierce tidal currents across the flats.

Hawley Beach near Devonport, Tasmania. Photo by Jess Bonde.

Hawley Beach accommodation

The main accommodation at Hawley Beach, Tasmania, is Hawley House. This former homestead dates back to 1878 and unashamedly plays up its history and eccentricities. It is a popular wedding venue, and if you want to stay overnight, there’s a choice of rooms in the main house or in the converted stables.