In England, the River Tamar flows north to south across that western bit of land that projects into the Celtic Sea and bounds the English Channel. The river forms the historic boundary between Devon and Cornwall and separates Cornwall from the rest of England. Launceston, the ancient capital of Cornwall, is about a mile west of the river. So it was not a complete surprise, as we drove to Launceston, Tasmania, that we encountered another River Tamar.
Tasmania’s River Tamar is formed by the joining of the North Esk and South Esk rivers (themselves named for rivers in England, though not, in this case, rivers in Cornwall), and it flows north into Bass Strait. About two miles across, the river can be navigated along its entire length. Aside from being important to commerce, it is exceedingly lovely, and it was its beauty we enjoyed, from a hilltop not too far away, as we finished the last leg of our Tasmania trek. The hilltop is known as Brady’s Lookout, for the “bushranger” (outlaw) Matthew Brady who in the early 1800s used it to get a clear view of the surrounding countryside. It still offers a splendid view, and on such a beautiful day, it was the perfect place to take in Tasmania’s greenery one last time.
Tasmania's River Tamar
Waltzing Australia 