Dunalley, Tasmania


Dunalley is a small fishing village on the east coast of Tasmania, Australia. It is part of the Sorell Council. At the 2016 census, Dunalley had a population of 316.
Dunalley is approximately east of Hobart on the Arthur Highway and 20 minutes from Sorell. It is located on the narrow isthmus which separates the Forestier and Tasman Peninsulas from the rest of Tasmania.

History

The Denison canal, with a swing bridge for road traffic, has been cut between Dunalley Bay and Blackman Bay to allow boats easy access between the two bays. It was originally hand dug. The project started in 1901 and was completed in 1905. In 1965 a new hydraulic swing bridge replaced the original bridge. It is common for Sydney–Hobart yacht racers returning to Sydney to use the canal as a convenient shortcut.
Dunalley was badly affected by bushfires on 4 January 2013, with the town losing about 65 structures, including the Police Station, school, bakery and local residences.
Dunalley was first named East Bay Neck but was renamed Dunalley after Henry Prittie, 3rd Baron Dunalley. Dunalley came from Kilboy in the County of Tipperary, Ireland.
A survey map of the region which became Dunalley is available online to the public

Population

In the 2016 Census, there were 316 people in Dunalley. 87.3% of people were born in Australia and 91.9% of people spoke only English at home. The most common response for religion was No Religion at 37.7%.