Dodges Ferry: History and Coastal Landscape

If you’re looking for a hotel in Dodges Ferry, you can plan your trip around three themes: local history, recreation and nature, and coastal scenery. The town has several markers and mosaics about Dodge’s Ferry, Lagoon Farm and the Aboriginal heritage of the Southern Beaches. Dodges Ferry Boat Park and the neighbouring Blue Lagoon wetland offer a different focus; the Lewisham–Carlton Beach Foreshore Trail runs along the shore through Dodges Ferry. Park Beach is close to town.

Local history on signs and mosaics

A memorial plaque about Dodge’s Ferry stands near Ferry Farm on First Avenue. The Southern Beaches Info Hut in Dodges Ferry has mosaic panels and a sign; it is near the fire station on Old Forcett Road. A Mumirimina sign about the Aboriginal heritage of the Southern Beaches stands by Blue Lagoon. On the shore of Okines Beach, a Lagoon Farm sign is located near Dodges Ferry Primary School. A mosaic in the shelter at Dodges Ferry Primary School’s Lagoon Park depicts Dodge’s Ferry and Lagoon Farm.

The themes differ: the memorial plaque on First Avenue is about Dodge’s Ferry, while the mosaic in Lagoon Park features both Dodge’s Ferry and Lagoon Farm. Lagoon Farm also appears on the sign at Okines Beach; the marker at Blue Lagoon, by contrast, is about the Aboriginal heritage of the Southern Beaches. This makes it possible to distinguish local history from regional heritage as separate themes.

Park, wetland and trails

The 2020 municipal open space strategy classifies Dodges Ferry Boat Park as a district-wide family recreation area for water-based recreation and experiencing nature. It describes facilities for young children through to older primary-school children, including toilets, barbecue areas and seating. Before visiting, check which of the listed facilities are currently available.

Blue Lagoon is next to the Boat Park and is a wetland. The park and lagoon are therefore neighbouring but distinct points of interest: the park is characterised as a recreation area, and Blue Lagoon as a wetland. Dodges Ferry also has skate parks and cycling paths; these add other types of activities to the recreation features mentioned above.

The Lewisham–Carlton Beach Foreshore Trail runs along the shore from Lewisham Boat Ramp through Dodges Ferry to Carlton Beach. According to the municipal open space strategy, the trail is at different stages of construction. If you plan to include it in your trip, check current trail conditions before setting out.

Park Beach and the Southern Beaches

Park Beach is near Dodges Ferry. The 2020 municipal open space strategy describes it as a valued surf beach used by locals and visitors from outside the municipality. Tourism Tasmania describes Park Beach as a popular beach for families on summer days. The two perspectives emphasise different things: one highlights surfing and who visits, while the other focuses on summer and families.

Dodges Ferry is part of the Southern Beaches, a coastal region with golden sandy beaches along the coast of Frederick Henry Bay. This regional description of the landscape adds a wider coastal context to the specific features of the town. Discover more destinations: Kellevie.

For the overview of the wider area: Sorell Council.