Sorell is a town in Australia's southern-most state, Tasmania. It is one of Tasmania's oldest towns, settled in 1808, and officially gazetted in 1821. Sorell has many historic buildings, as well as amenities and accommodation. Sorell is the business and shopping hub of the Sorell municipality, and serves as the gateway and main town for what is sometimes called the Southern Beaches region, famed for its many beaches and shack communities. Sorell also sits at the start of the Arthur Highway towards Port Arthur.
Understand
Sorell is named after William Sorell, Lieutenant-Governor of Tasmania. It is just 25 kilometres from Hobart, accessed via the Causeway and McRobies Bridge. It has a long history as one of Tasmania's first towns, primarily acting as a nexus for the agricultural regions around it, and as the first stop on the way to the Tasman Peninsula. In addition, it remains the closest major town for the southern beach communities of Lewisham, Dodges Ferry, Carlton River, Connellys Marsh, and Primrose Sands - historically holiday towns. Today, many people in Sorell and surrounds commute to Hobart for work.
Sorell has both major supermarkets, three pharmacies, a doctor's clinic and most other major amenities. It also features many historic buildings, from its art deco town hall to its three historic churches. Sorell is the regional seat of the Sorell Council, covering 583 square kilometres, which operates from offices behind town hall.
Get in
It is a 30-minute drive from Tasmania's capital, Hobart. Sorell is a 13-minute drive from Hobart International Airport
See
- St Thomas' Catholic Church, 22 Arthur St. The heritage listed St Thomas' Catholic Church was designed by noted architect Henry Hunter in 1864
- St George's Anglican Church, 16 Gordon St. Sunday 10am & 3pm. Heritage listed Gothic Revival St George's Anglican Church, built in 1826
- Scot's Uniting Church, 43 Arthur St. Considered an unusual example of a Romanesque Church in Australia, built in 1842 to designs by James Blackburn. It is now closed, so please be respectful and only admire it from a distance.
Do
- The Waterway Trail, Pioneers Park, 14 Parsonage Place. Follow the walk along the Sorell Rivulet, with storyboards explaining some of the historic sights of Sorell. It is flat and concreted, and accessible to most people. The walk starts in Parsonage Place. A map is available via the Council website.
- Sorell Fruit Farm. Fruit-picking.
- Sorell Community Market, Sorell Memorial Hall, 47 Cole st. Every Sunday from 8am. Running since 1991, with only one brief disruption, Sorell Community Market is a great place for handmade, fresh food and veggies, and vintage. Make sure not to miss the whole market, as it is spread over a carpark, and two wings of the hall, and it is easy to miss one room or the stalls at the front of the hall.
Buy
- 1 Sorell Antiques Centre, 15 Somerville St, ☏ 61 3 6265 2805, ✉[email protected]. 10AM-5PM except on public holidays. Operated by 12 independent antique dealers from all around Tasmania, the shop has collectables, furniture, glassware and other kinds of antiques.
- Salvation Army Op Shop, 11/21 Dubs and Co Drive (Go past Woolworths, then turn right), ☏ 61 3 6265 3870. 9am to 5pm, Monday to Saturday. Voted as Southern Tasmania's best op shop, the Salvation Army Op shop has a huge range of vintage, clothes and cool oddities. Parking is easy. Wheelchair accessible.
- Lifeline Shop, 32 Cole St. 10am to 4pm weekdays. Lifeline Shop has a wide range of books and clothes, as well as vintage. Parking is sometimes busy.
Eat
- The Sorell Cafe, 16 Cole St (At the roundabout), ☏ 61 3 6265 3613. Takeaway or eat-in breakfasts and lunches, including the Big Breakfast special. Features a lovely teapot collection. $16 for waffles.
- Bento Sorell, 32A Cole St.
- Gateway Candy Corner, Shop 17/27 Cole St. 10am-5pm every day, closes 3pm on Sunday and 4pm on Saturday. An old fashioned candy shop with a whole range of There is a Brum car for the kids to ride on while you get icecreams.
- Trendy Bake, Shop 6/27 Cole St. Local bakers and baristas. Scrolls, bread, cakes and biscuits can be purchased here. Sit and eat or takeaway. The blueberry tea cake is particularly good.
Drink
Sleep
Sorell Baracks, 31 Walker St, Sorell, ☏ 61 3 6265 1572. Built in 1827 for army officers, and today a garden-side B&B near the center of Sorell. $115 per night and up.
Flimby Bed & Breakfast, 68 Rosendale Rd, Sorell, ☏ 61 3 6269 3802. Flimby is a Georgian brick farm house, now converted to a B&B.
Connect
Sorell Library, 25 Cole St (Parking in Woolworths carpark). 10am-5pm weekdays, 10am-12pm Saturday. Libraries Tasmania card required.