Opossum Bay is a rural residential locality in the local government area of Clarence in the Hobart region of

Tasmania Tasmania (; palawa kani: ''Lutruwita'') is an island States and territories of Australia, state of Australia. It is located to the south of the Mainland Australia, Australian mainland, and is separated from it by the Bass Strait. The sta ...

. The locality is about south-east of the town of

Rosny Park Rosny Park is a suburb of Hobart, Tasmania, located in the City of Clarence on the eastern shore of the Derwent River. It is about five kilometres from the city centre of Hobart. Rosny Park is the commercial twin of its residential namesake, R ...

. The 2016 census has a population of 329 for the state suburb of Opossum Bay. It is located on the

South Arm Peninsula South Arm Peninsula is a peninsula that lies on the east side of the mouth of the River Derwent south of Hobart in Tasmania, Australia. The peninsula commences at Lauderdale and curves landward or inward on a narrow isthmus that has South Arm ...

on the outskirts of

Hobart Hobart ( ) is the capital and most populous city of the island state of Tasmania, Australia. Located in Tasmania's south-east on the estuary of the River Derwent, it is the southernmost capital city in Australia. Despite containing nearly hal ...

History

Opossum Bay was gazetted as a locality in 1967. Opossum Bay Post Office opened on 16 January 1942 and closed in 1980. The origin of Opossum Bay's name is unclear. In 1997, Opossum Bay received national attention when it was the location of where Labor Senator

Nick Sherry Nicholas John Sherry (born 19 November 1955) is a former Australian politician who served as a member of the Australian Senate for the state of Tasmania from July 1990 until June 2012, representing the Australian Labor Party. Sherry was sworn i ...

had an overnight stay with his mother and was accused of misusing his travel allowances for this stay. The controversy that ensued led to Sherry attempting suicide, which he survived.

Geography

The Derwent River forms the western and northern boundaries, and Ralphs Bay the eastern. Opossum Bay is nearly surrounded by water. The Gellibrand Point, Opossum Bay and South Arm Town area is connected to the rest of the South Arm Peninsula by a narrow isthmus. The proximity to the Derwent River and Ralphs Bay can result in Opossum Bay frequently being cooled by sea breezes in summer.

Road infrastructure

The B33 route (South Arm Road) enters from the south-east and runs north to the town, where it ends.

Notable residents

Brian Ritchie Brian Ritchie (born November 21, 1960) is an American musician, best known as the bassist for the alternative rock band Violent Femmes. Ritchie was born and raised in the United States and is currently a dual citizen of the U.S. and Australia, w ...

– bass guitarist for the band

Violent Femmes Violent Femmes are an American folk punk band from Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The band consists of founding members Gordon Gano (guitar, lead vocals) and Brian Ritchie (bass, backing vocals), joined by multi-instrumentalist Blaise Garza ( ...

References

Towns in Tasmania Bays of Tasmania Beaches of Tasmania South Arm Peninsula Localities of City of Clarence Populated places on the River Derwent {{ClarenceTAS-geo-stub