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Bridgewater Hotel

During construction of the new bridge, works were undertaken at the site of the old Bridgewater Hotel (circa 1835). The painting below shows the historic location of the hotel.

Water colour by H.G. Lloyd showing the study area (circled) - North Bridgewater, the ferry crossing and the Bridgewater Hotel - in 1875. Source: SLNSW_Bridgewater_FL8791151 accessed 2023.

In order to capture information about the history of the area, an archaeological dig was undertaken at the site. Remains of the hotel were found in the Bridgewater foreshore area between the landing point of the old Bridgewater bridge and the landing point of the new Bridgewater bridge.

Excavating the Bridgewater Hotel foundations – the Bridgewater Hotel retaining wall is shown here, semi-exposed. Photograph by Darren Watton 2022.
Excavating the Bridgewater Hotel. Photograph by Darren Watton 2022.

The dig revealed the rich and varied history of the location, which would have been a transport hub in early colonial Tasmania.

Evidence was found not only of the hotel, but of early military and convict presence in the area, local ferry service operations, a cobbled road, stabling, and railway and industrial uses. A number of artefacts were recovered from the site, including ceramic fragments, personal items, nails, glass bottles and animal bones. A timber pipeline was also found during excavations, potentially related to the supply of water to the Bridgewater Hotel.

Military 11th (North Devon) Regiment of Foot (1846-48) button from lower [C30] layer (Art No. 208). Photograph by Darren Watton 2025.
Small sugar spoon recorded on site. Photograph by Darren Watton 2022.
Extent of cobble surface closer to the foreshore in Trench D – interpreted to be an early convict-built road. Photograph by Darren Watton 2022.

Timber pipelines found during New Bridgewater Bridge project excavation are shown in the gallery below.

Timber pipeline image 1.jpeg
Timber pipeline image 2
Timber pipeline image 3
Timber pipeline image 4.jpeg
Timber pipeline image 5

Reference:

Watton D, 2025. “North Bridgewater 3 Nielsen Esplanade Bridgewater Tasmania, Main Excavation Report’ Southern Archaeology.