Beaconsfield (pop. 1100), lying to the west of the river Tamar, was founded early in the colonial period and was originally known as Cabbage Tree Hill. After the discovery of rich deposits of gold in 1877 it grew rapidly to become the third largest town in Tasmania, but in 1914 the mine was closed down because of flooding. There are now plans to
reopen it.
A notable feature of the town is Holy Trinity Church, with decorative gables and a handsome tower. North of the town, on the road from Kelso to Greens Beach, is a monument marking the site of the early settlement of York Town (1804). To the southeast of Beaconsfield is the modern Batman Bridge spanning the Tamar.