Waratah - TAS

Waratah is just a few kilometres off the main highway that runs from Burnie to Strahan, slightly north of the turn to Cradle Mountain and adjacent to Savage River National Park.

The town was constructed to support a tin mine at Mount Bischoff. It is located at the head of a gorge into which a waterfall tumbles. The water from the fall drove the early tin extraction refineries until a hydro electric system was installed to take over the task, but it was fed by the same water flow. Hydro power allowed Waratah to be the first town in Australia with electric light. This occurred in 1886.

Tin loads at Mount Bischoff were discovered in 1871 by prospector James "Philosopher" Smith. The sluicing method of extracting the ore was used on the initially easily won deposits but in 1893 methods changed with the in introduction of open cut mining, the results of which can be seen to this day. This was followed by the introduction of under round mining. The mine closed in 1929 due to low tin prices but was reopened by the Federal Government in 1941 to support the war effort. It finally closed in 1947.

The town has permanent residents with its population expanding during the tourist season. It sits at the edge of the Tarkine forest area so is popular for four wheel driving, fishing, hiking and walking. History buffs are catered for by access to the old mining area, a good museum and working examples of mining practices. There is a post office, grocery store, pub and caravan park. The Bischoff Hotel is almost as historic as the town and draws substantial day and weekend drive crowds, including the bikers who love the winding mountain roads of the area.