The oldest deepwater port in the area, it was developed to serve the nearby Beaconsfield gold mines. The town serves as a good starting point for exploring some of northern Tasmania's natural attractions. Greens Beach , north-west of Beauty Point and at the very mouth of the Tamar River, has a scenic lookout and is a popular holiday town. Garden Island, immediately north of the town, also has a scenic lookout and is known for its fishing.
Sandy Beach offers safe swimming.
Close by is the Asbestos Range National Park , extending along the coast from Greens Beach to Port Sorell . There is an easy four hour return walk to Badger Head. The park derives its name from the mineral asbestos that was mined there last century. Beauty Point is the main teaching campus of the Australian Maritime College. There is daily ferry service across the Tamar to George Town .