What’s In A Name?

As you self drive tour around Tasmania, you will come across some quite unusual location names. Towns, beaches, rivers, mountains and general areas can carry names that might have First Nations or Colonial origins or perhaps the name is just a description of that area.

Some of our favorites in the “odd name” department include Doo Town, Break-Me-Neck Hill, Elephant Pass, Milkshake Hills and Egg & Bacon Bay.

Discover Tasmania’s Unique Place Names with the Take A Local App

Whilst some names do indeed just describe the locations that you are touring through, the names are often not quite what we think.  Take Wineglass Bay for example.

If you have been to Tasmania or you are planning to visit, at a minimum you have heard of Wineglass Bay.  It is one of the most iconic beaches in Tasmania, Australia and well…the world!  Pure white sand and sparkling clear water in a natural wonderland.  Well it is now, but it hasn’t always been.

In the early 1800’s, whaling stations were set up around the Freycinet area, including in Wineglass Bay.  Small whaling boats would leave from the shore to hunt for whales in the nearby waters with whale oil being exported back to Britain and whale bones being used in the fashion industry in the manufacturing of corsets!

Most believe that Wineglass Bay got its name from the bays wine glass shape and this may be partly true.  However, the wine glass was not for white wine.  Resulting from the whaling operations, the water within the bay and the now pristine white sand would turn red from whale blood and blubber giving it the appearance of red wine and giving birth to the name Wineglass Bay!

The Take A Local guided tour app can help to not only provide some history to many place names but also to clear up some common misconceptions like this one. Download the app, pick a tour and let’s start learning!