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Bicheno was once a tiny village known as the Old Fisher. When
James Bicheno, who was the Colonial Secretary of Van Diemans Land from 1843 to
1851 died, to honour him, Old Fisher was re-named Bicheno. During the 1850s the
township of Bicheno became a progressive coal mining port, having previously
been known to whalers and sealers who used to shelter at the Gulch from as early
as the 1800s. In 1854 the Denison River Mines were opened and the coal was
pulled along a three mile tramway, by horses to the bins at the Gulch. From
there it was shipped to Hobart. Those were thriving days for the township,
with records showing that there were several hotels, a shop, and a wine and
spirit store. The police station built at that time still stands today. However,
eventually the mines closed and Bicheno faded from view until it gradually
evolved into a fishing village and holiday resort just prior to World War II.
The town then grew rapidly after the war and the fishing fleet increased from
three boats to twenty. Due to its location and climate, it is also now a very
popular holiday resort.
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