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Population Characteristics
The population of the Glamorgan/Spring Bay area is 4,186 (2004).
Swansea is located on the north-west shore of Great Oyster Bay, in the centre of Tasmania’s east coast. It is 135 km from Hobart and 134 km from Launceston. Swansea has a resident population of approximately 400 people which swells over the summer period. The town has several historic buildings, including Morris' General Store (1838), which has been in operation for over 100 years. It also boasts safe swimming and surfing. Spiky Bridge and Mayfield Beach, south of the town, are excellent for rock and beach fishing. Trout fishing at Lake Leake is also popular.
 Historic Swansea Towards Lake Leake are the Lost Falls and Meetus Falls. There are two vineyards, Spring Vale and Craigie Knowe, near Cranbrook (just north of Swansea). Close to town is the Swansea Bark Mill, used to process black wattle bark, which was used in pioneering days for tanning leather.
Local services are also provided by the communities of Cranbrook, Lake Leake, Little Swanport, Ponty Pool, Swanick and Coles Bay.
European History
Originally known as Great Swanport, Swansea's story begins with early explorers; among them were Tasman in 1642, Dufresne in 1772, Captain Cox 1879, Nicholas Baudin in 1802 and Amasa Delano in 1803. The nationalities of these explorers (Dutch, French, English, and American) provided a variety of names for local landmarks. Great Swanport was originally established as a garrison, and settlement of the hinterland followed. A convict station was established at Rocky Hills and housed some 400 convicts.
In 1850 the military garrison (a small contingent of the 40th Regiment of Foot) was withdrawn and Swansea became a police district. It remained so until 23rd January 1860 when it became the first rural municipality in Tasmania, with six Councilors. In 1864 the seal of the Municipality was purchased. It was designed by Louisa Anne Meredith and depicted the black swan.
The original settlers of Great Swanport were the Meredith family and the Amos brothers, the Talbot, Buxton and Cotton families who brought their workers and their families, tools, seeds, expertise and their animals. The first farms were complete communities, and were very isolated. The farm industry included orcharding, hop growing, whaling, wool and grain production, beef cattle and sheep hides.
For more information about Swansea, please visit the websites below
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