Cygnet

About Cygnet

Cygnet is a town in the Huon Valley Council area of southern Tasmania, located 56 kilometres southwest of Hobart and 18 kilometres south of Huonville. French explorer Bruni D'Entrecasteaux named the bay Port des Cygnes meaning Port of Swans in 1793 due to the large number of black swans observed. First settled by Europeans in 1834, the town was officially proclaimed Lovett in 1862 but this name was never accepted by locals and it was officially renamed Cygnet in 1915. The town is known for its artistic and creative community, the annual Cygnet Folk Festival in early January, fruit-growing heritage, cider production and boutique agritourism. Wilson's Boat Yard, established in 1863, is one of Australia's oldest continually operating boat building businesses. St James Church features Spanish-style architecture. Notable residents include Peter Wright, the MI5 officer and author of Spycatcher, who lived there from 1976 until his death in 1995.