Doctors Rocks is a rural locality in the local government area (LGA) of Waratah–Wynyard in the North-west and west LGA region of Tasmania. The locality is about 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) east of the town of Wynyard. The 2016 census has a population of 85 for the state suburb of Doctors Rocks.[1]

Doctors Rocks
Tasmania
Doctors Rocks is located in Tasmania
Doctors Rocks
Doctors Rocks
Coordinates41°00′S 145°46′E / 41.000°S 145.767°E / -41.000; 145.767
Population85 (2016 census)[1]
Postcode(s)7325
Location8 km (5 mi) E of Wynyard
LGA(s)Waratah-Wynyard Council
RegionNorth-west and west
State electorate(s)Braddon
Federal division(s)Braddon
Localities around Doctors Rocks:
Wynyard Bass Strait Bass Strait
Wynyard Doctors Rocks Somerset
Wynyard Somerset Somerset

It is both a geographical feature and a district on the northwest coast of Tasmania between Somerset and Wynyard. The geographical feature is a basalt outcrop on the beachfront, behind which an escarpment rises to the northwest coast plateau. The terrain forced early road builders to construct a narrow roadway behind the rocks that was the scene of many serious accidents before modern vehicular traffic forced major earth-moving and re-siting of the main road further away from the rocks. This place is also known for the McDonald's ad that was shot there in 2007 to promote their 'Help the locals' campaign.[citation needed]

History

edit

The area was formerly known as Bluff Point. A property owned by a medical practitioner became known as “Doctors Rocks”, and this is believed to be the source of the name. Doctors Rocks was gazetted as a locality in 1966.[2]

Geography

edit

The waters of Bass Strait form the north-eastern boundary.[3]

Road infrastructure

edit

The Bass Highway (Route A2) passes through from north-east to north-west.[2][4]

References

edit
  1. ^ a b "2016 Census Quick Stats Doctors Rocks (Tas.)". quickstats.censusdata.abs.gov.au. Australian Bureau of Statistics. 23 October 2017. Retrieved 13 September 2020.
  2. ^ a b "Placenames Tasmania – Doctors Rocks". Placenames Tasmania. Select “Search”, enter "6265N", click “Search”, select row, map is displayed, click “Details”. Retrieved 13 September 2020.
  3. ^ "Doctors Rocks, Tasmania" (Map). Google Maps. Retrieved 13 September 2020.
  4. ^ "Tasmanian Road Route Codes" (PDF). Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water & Environment. May 2017. Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 August 2017. Retrieved 13 September 2020.