Tasmanian History of Seaplanes in Hobart...

Seaplanes have had a long history in Hobart with the first aircraft arriving in the 1920s and continuing through intermittently until today. The geography of Tasmania is ideal for seaplanes with numerous protected, water bodies that are located to proximate population centres. As such Tasmania shares similar geography with Alaska – the Seaplane capital of the world.

The Derwent - Seaplane Paradise

In a 1930 survey of Tasmanian waterways, the Derwent was described as a Seaplane Paradise with scheduled passenger and mail runs soon being carried out by seaplane.

Early Melbourne Passenger Services

Seaplanes, not requiring any land clearing or runway development, soon started operating between Melbourne and Hobart with passengers a and freight. The seaplanes provided a level of safety to passengers and crew as engines were relatively unreliable at the time. In the event of an engine failure the seaplanes could land on protected waterways across the island chain and within Tasmania.

WWII saw most of Australia’s seaplanes seconded to the war effort and the use of them for public transport stalled. After WWII, surplus military seaplanes went into commercial service including direct Sydney to Hobart flights.

Sydney to Hobart - by Flying Boat

These large flying boats offered passengers a level of luxury that was generally only available in large cruise liners. Ansett operated the large Short S-25 into the Derwent up until the late 1960s.

Hobart Seaplanes in the 90's

Mr Terry Mulholland operated a Maule floatplane from Wrest Point Casino and Port Arthur in the late nineties ensuring the romance of seaplanes was kept alive in Hobart.

Tasmania Seaplanes and the Environment

Read the findings from a recent 5 year study on the environmental effects of Seaplanes conducted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

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