Suburban beach in Bellerive, Tasmania
| Bellerive Beach | |
|---|---|
| Beach | |
.jpg) Bellerive Beach circa 1910 | |
  Bellerive BeachLocation of Bellerive Beach in Hobart | |
| Coordinates: 42°52′44.45″S 147°22′38.36″E / 42.8790139°S 147.3773222°E / -42.8790139; 147.3773222 | |
| Location | Bellerive, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia |
| Offshore water bodies | River Derwent |
| Dimensions | |
| • Length | 1.2 km (1 mi) |
| Patrolled by | Surf Life Saving Tasmania |
| Hazard rating | 2/10 (Least hazardous) |
| Access | Footpath, Victoria Esplanade, Alexandra Esplanade, Luttrell Avenue |
Bellerive Beach is a suburban beach along the River Derwent in Bellerive, Hobart, Tasmania. The south-facing beach is located near the historic Kangaroo Battery coastal defences to the west and Howrah Beach to the east. It offers views across the Derwent estuary to Howrah, Tranmere, and Sandy Bay. Bellerive Beach is accompanied by parkland featuring play equipment, barbecues, and bathroom facilities. The beach is also bordered by the Bellerive Oval, a tree-lined reserve, and private residences.
History
Before the arrival of Europeans, the land had been occupied by the Mouheneener people, part of the Nuennone or "South-East tribe," for possibly as long as 35,000 years. Abalone shell middens were discovered on Bellerive Beach in 1980, providing evidence of early Indigenous activity in the area.
The suburb of Bellerive was originally called Kangaroo Point and was settled in the 1820s. Its name was changed in the 1830s to "Bellerive," meaning "beautiful shore" in French. Historically, the beach has been a hub of local activity, used for exercise, beachcombing, horse racing, regattas, sailing, and swimming.
In 2015, the Clarence City Council developed a "master plan" for Bellerive Beach, which proposed amenities including a cafe, restaurant, and a bathers' pavilion. In 2020, concerns were raised by residents about the slow progress of the project and deviations from the original 2015 vision.
In 2021, several native trees near Bellerive Beach were deliberately poisoned, resulting in the removal of around 30 trees. Investigations were launched into the incident, which angered residents due to the environmental impact.
Clarence Foreshore Trail
A $600,000 shared cycle pathway connecting Bellerive Beach to the Derwent River ferry service at Bellerive was opened in 2021 as part of the Clarence Foreshore Trail. Partial closures of the trail occurred during a stormwater upgrade in 2022, with temporary access routes provided during the construction.
Marine life
Bellerive Beach is home to a variety of marine life. A colony of little penguins (Eudyptula minor) nests behind the dunes, and they can often be seen coming ashore after dark. The Clarence City Council enforces dog restrictions to protect the penguins. In 2021, the reduction of off-leash dog areas around Bellerive Beach and other Tasmanian beaches sparked public concern, with residents advocating for more dedicated spaces.
Occasionally, bioluminescence caused by microscopic plankton can be observed in the waters around Bellerive Beach in the evening. Other marine life observed includes the southern blue-ringed octopus (Hapalochlaena maculosa), Australian swellshark (Cephaloscyllium laticeps), and species of dolphins such as bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus) and Burrunan dolphins (Tursiops aduncus australis).
Environment
Bellerive Beach and the surrounding reserve are home to various species of wildlife. Native mammals include the southern brown bandicoot (Isoodon obesulus) and the water rat (Hydromys chrysogaster). A variety of birds are also present, such as the musk lorikeet (Glossopsitta concinna), swift parrot (Lathamus discolor), and the Tasmanian masked owl (Tyto novaehollandiae castanops). The area also provides suitable habitat for the eastern barred bandicoot (Perameles gunnii), which is classified as vulnerable.
The area behind the dunes is also home to several frog species, and the broader environment includes potential habitat for various hollow-nesting birds. Environmental changes to the beach landscape occur periodically due to weather patterns and natural forces.
Access
Bellerive Beach is accessible from the Hobart City Centre via the Tasman Bridge. It is a 1.5-hour walk from the CBD or a short ride on the Metro Tasmania bus service. Parking is available off Victoria Esplanade, Alexandra Esplanade, and Luttrell Avenue.
References
- ^ "Bellerive Beach, Bellerive, Hobart, Tasmania". beachsafe.org.au. Retrieved 21 June 2022.
- "History of Tasmania". Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved 21 June 2022.
- ^ Jones, Callum J. (14 July 2020). "Tas That Was – Bellerive". Tasmanian Times. Retrieved 5 July 2022.
- ^ "Bellerive-Howrah Coastal Reserve Activity Plan 2015-2019" (PDF). City of Clarence. July 2015. p. 9. Retrieved 4 July 2022.
- Howard, Jessica (15 May 2020). "Call for Bellerive Beach master plan to include for cafe or restaurant, a bathers' pavilion and other amenities". The Mercury. Retrieved 4 July 2022.
- Howard, Jessica (25 June 2020). "Work on Bellerive Beach Park master plan too slow and continued revisions not in line with 2015 vision, says community advocate". The Mercury. Retrieved 4 July 2022.
- Bovill, Monte (6 September 2021). "Tasmanian native trees deliberately poisoned at Bellerive Beach, sparking anger". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 30 October 2024.
- Lamont, Damita (19 August 2021). "New cycle pathway makes direct route from Howrah to Derwent River ferry". The Mercury. Retrieved 4 July 2022.
- "Bellerive Beach and Foreshore Trail Partial Closures During Stormwater Upgrade". Clarence City Council. Retrieved 30 October 2024.
- "Co-existing with Little Penguins in the Derwent Estuary" (PDF). Derwent Estuary Program. 2009. Retrieved 4 July 2022.
- Holderness-Roddam, Bob (October 2011). "The effects of domestic dogs (Canis familiaris) as a disturbance agent on the natural environment" (PDF). University of Tasmania. Retrieved 4 July 2022.
- Bovill, Monte (27 March 2021). "Tasmanian beaches' off-lead dog areas disappearing, to dog owners' dismay". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 30 October 2024.
- Howarth, Carla (3 May 2019). "Bioluminescence chasers capture elusive phenomenon". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 4 July 2022.
- Burgess, Georgie (21 March 2019). "Blue-ringed octopus sightings in Tasmania 'uncommon but not unexpected'". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 4 July 2022.
- Lohberger, Loretta (18 June 2017). "Dolphins put on delightful display in River Derwent". The Mercury. Retrieved 4 July 2022.
- Oong, Susan (7 August 2020). "Local photographer Maryanne Jackson has snapped these dramatic pics of Bellerive Beach". The Mercury. Retrieved 4 July 2022.
