Opossum Bay, Tasmania

Opossum Bay Hobart, Tasmania
Beach at Opossum Bay
Opossum Bay
Coordinates	42°59′38″S 147°24′12″E
Population	329 (2016 census)[1]
Postcode(s)	7023
Location	5 km (3 mi) N of South Arm 25 km (16 mi) SW of Lauderdale 37 km (23 mi) SE of Rosny Park
LGA(s)	Clarence
Region	Hobart
State electorate(s)	Franklin
Federal division(s)	Franklin
Suburbs around Opossum Bay: Derwent River Derwent River Ralphs Bay Derwent River Opossum Bay Ralphs Bay Derwent River South Arm Ralphs Bay

Opossum Bay is a rural residential locality in the local government area of Clarence in the Hobart region of Tasmania. The locality is about 37 kilometres (23 mi) south-east of the town of Rosny Park. The 2016 census has a population of 329 for the state suburb of Opossum Bay.[1]

It is located on the South Arm Peninsula on the outskirts of Hobart.

History

Opossum Bay was gazetted as a locality in 1967.[2]

Opossum Bay Post Office opened on 16 January 1942 and closed in 1980.[3]

Opossum Bay area from Mount Wellington summit

The origin of Opossum Bay's name is unclear.[4]

In 1997, Opossum Bay received national attention when it was the location of where Labor Senator Nick Sherry had an overnight stay with his mother and was accused of misusing his travel allowances for this stay. The controversy that ensued led to Sherry attempting suicide, which he survived.[5]

Geography

The Derwent River forms the western and northern boundaries, and Ralphs Bay the eastern.[6]

Opossum Bay is nearly surrounded by water. The Gellibrand Point, Opossum Bay and South Arm Town area is connected to the rest of the South Arm Peninsula by a narrow isthmus. The proximity to the Derwent River and Ralphs Bay can result in Opossum Bay frequently being cooled by sea breezes in summer.[7]

Road infrastructure

The B33 route (South Arm Road) enters from the south-east and runs north to the town, where it ends.[2][8]

Notable residents

• Brian Ritchie – bass guitarist for the band Violent Femmes.

References

1. "2016 Census Quick Stats Opossum Bay (Tas.)". quickstats.censusdata.abs.gov.au. Australian Bureau of Statistics. 23 October 2017. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
2. "Placenames Tasmania – Opossum Bay". Placenames Tasmania. Select "Search", enter "1168Q", click "Search", select row, map is displayed, click "Details". Retrieved 4 August 2020.
3. Premier Postal History. "Post Office List". Premier Postal Auctions. Retrieved 16 June 2012.
4. Where is Opossum Bay?
5. "Rorting rules unchanged, and behaviour much the same". 8 October 2013.
6. "Opossum Bay, Tasmania" (Map). Google Maps. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
7. "Clarence Plains Online Access Centre". Archived from the original on 24 March 2012. Retrieved 25 September 2011.
8. "Tasmanian Road Route Codes" (PDF). Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water & Environment. May 2017. Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 August 2017. Retrieved 4 August 2020.