Hamilton Tasmania |
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Coordinates | 42°33′22″S 146°50′02″E / 42.556°S 146.834°ECoordinates: 42°33′22″S 146°50′02″E / 42.556°S 146.834°E |
Population | 300 (2006 census) |
Postcode(s) | 7140 |
Location |
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LGA(s) | Central Highlands Council |
State electorate(s) | Lyons |
Federal Division(s) | Lyons |
Hamilton is a small rural town 73 kilometres (45 mi) north-west of Hobart in Tasmania, Australia. It is on the Lyell Highway. At the 2006 census, the town and surrounding area had a population of 300.
Governor Macquarie named the locality as 'Sorell Plains', and it became locally known as 'Macquarie' and 'Lower Clyde'.
Governor Arthur finalised a name for the locality and this was announced in 1826 (Colonial Times and Tasmanian Advertiser, Friday 28 July 1826, page 3). Hamilton was named after William Henry Hamilton, a wealthy free settler who had arrived in Van Diemen's Land in April 1824.
Hamilton Post Office opened on 1 June 1832.
Hamilton was once a bustling frontier town that contained many inns and several working breweries.
It contains a few small shops and buildings, such as the court house, many of them dating back to convict times.
Cricketer Percy Lewis was born here in 1864.