Saltwater River
TAS 7186 • Tasmania
About Saltwater River
Saltwater River is a small rural locality on the Tasman Peninsula in south-east Tasmania, within the Tasman Council local government area, located approximately 14 kilometres north of Nubeena and 106 kilometres from Hobart. The locality borders Norfolk Bay to the north-east and covers around 35 square kilometres, with a population of 131 recorded in the 2021 Census. Saltwater River is historically significant as the site of a former convict penal settlement, with its coal mine ruins listed on the Australian National Heritage List as the Coal Mines Historic Site.
The Coal Mines Historic Site is the locality's defining attraction, featuring well-preserved ruins of underground cells, mine workings, and agricultural buildings from the early convict era — one of the most evocative heritage sites on the Tasman Peninsula. Visitors to Saltwater River often combine it with nearby Port Arthur, approximately 23 kilometres to the south, as part of the broader Tasman Peninsula heritage circuit. Residents enjoy a profoundly quiet coastal lifestyle with the waters of Norfolk Bay close by, though local services are minimal and most daily needs are met in Nubeena or further afield in Hobart.
Saltwater River falls under postcode 7186 and is governed by Tasman Council Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Lyons (Prosser) electorate.
Location
Transport & Commute
Bus Services
- Tasman Council community transport (very limited) — Nubeena or Hobart approx. 1.5-2 hours to Hobart
Commute to Hobart CBD
🛣️ Car essential; Nubeena (14 km south) is the nearest service town; Arthur Highway connects to Hobart via Sorell
Saltwater River is a remote coastal locality with no local shops or services; a car is essential for all daily needs
Supermarkets Nearby
No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.
Schools
No schools listed for this postcode.