TASMining
St Helens
Tin turned a quiet bay into the north-east’s port.
1874Blue Tier tin discovery · port town expands
WHAT STARTED IT
Whaling and sealing preceded the village at Georges Bay, but tin found at Blue Tier in 1874 produced its decisive growth. St Helens became the port, supply point and processing route for the mining field.
WHAT SUSTAINED IT
The settlement had been named St Helens in 1835. More than a thousand Chinese miners passed through the port during the tin era. When mines faded, fishing, boatbuilding and later tourism took their place.
TURNING POINTS
1835Village renamed St Helens.
1874Tin discovered at Blue Tier.
Early 1900sFishing replaces declining mining activity.
WHAT IT DOES NOW
The largest town on Tasmania’s north-east coast, supporting fishing, aquaculture, tourism and services for the Bay of Fires region.