Cornelian Bay Boathouse Restaurant

The weather's gone a bit rogue again.

If you're looking for somewhere to hide from it, we've got a pretty good solution: our beef cheeks with a glass of wine, a warm table and a view of the bay.

Blow in for lunch or dinner....🌬️🍃

📍 https://theboathouse.com.au/

Did You Know?

Last week, we uncovered another fascinating chapter in Cornelian Bay's history with the story of Risdon Park Racecourse.

This week, we're going right back to the beginning — to the story behind the name Cornelian Bay.

In 1793, Lieutenant John Hayes sailed into the Derwent as part of an ambitious private exploring expedition aboard the Duke of Clarence and Duchess of Bengal.

During the weeks he spent exploring the Derwent, Hayes named many of the places we still know today, including the Derwent River, Risdon Cove and Cornelian Bay. He explored the river as far as New Norfolk, creating charts and recording the landscape along the way.

So why Cornelian Bay?

Hayes named the bay after the semi-precious cornelian stones he found along the beach. The University of Tasmania's "Where in Tasmania?" confirms this origin, noting that the gemstone is more commonly spelled carnelian today.

Cornelian and carnelian refer to the same reddish variety of chalcedony — and interestingly, Tasmania's Department of State Growth records chalcedony occurrences at Cornelian Bay.

It's pretty special to think that more than 230 years ago, Hayes stood along this shoreline, saw these distinctive stones and gave the bay a name that has remained with us ever since.

And while the landscape around it has changed enormously, the name Cornelian Bay has stayed.

Have you ever found a cornelian (or carnelian) stone here? We'd love to hear about it in the comments.

Need a little midweek pick-me-up? 🍷

Our Char-Grilled Tahini Chicken might be just the ticket.

Tender char-grilled chicken, creamy yellow split pea mash, red capsicum jus and a fresh snow pea tendril & enoki salad.

Gluten free, full of flavour and definitely not your average midweek dinner!

Paired with a cheeky glass of Pinot, it sounds like the perfect dinner to get you through the week. 🍷

Come down to Cornelian Bay and let us do the cooking this week!

📍https://theboathouse.com.au/

KIOSK UPDATE 🍴🍴

Almost everything on our Kiosk menu is now gluten free — including ALL of our fried food!

But it’s not just the fried food! We have plenty of other gluten-free options to choose from, including our Beef Cheek Crepes and Tea Smoked Salmon.

And we’re not stopping there…👀

Coming in the next few weeks, our Beef Burger and Veggie Burger will also be available with a gluten-free option!

More choice, more delicious options and less missing out when you’re eating by the bay! ☀️

Did You Know?

Last week, we uncovered the remarkable people whose stories live on at Cornelian Bay Cemetery.

This week, we're uncovering another fascinating chapter in Cornelian Bay's history.

Long before today's Cornelian Bay Oval, Risdon Park Racecourse occupied the flat land behind Cornelian Bay. Officially opening in 1899, the track quickly became one of Hobart's favourite destinations for pony and trotting races.

What makes its story even more remarkable is how it began. Rather than being established by wealthy racing enthusiasts, Risdon Park was the vision of Hobart's Butchers Trotting Association—a group of local butchers who came together to create a dedicated venue for the growing sport of trotting.

Race days were about much more than the horses. Families travelled from across Hobart to spend the day together, cheering from the sidelines as local trainers and drivers competed around the track. For 25 years, Risdon Park played an important role in Hobart's sporting and social life before the final race meeting was held in 1924.

The historic photograph below, taken between 1908 and 1912, captures Risdon Park Racecourse in the foreground, with Cornelian Bay and the early cemetery beyond. Looking at it today, it's hard to imagine that where Cornelian Bay Oval now stands, thousands of racegoers once gathered to enjoy a day at the track.

It's another reminder that every corner of Cornelian Bay has a story to tell, and we're looking forward to uncovering the next chapter with you.

Did your family have stories or old photographs from Risdon Park? We'd love to hear them in the comments.

Even our feathered friends know a good fish burger when they see one... 👀🐦

Unlucky for them, this Fish Burger is waiting for you!

Grab your crew, soak up the sunshine and enjoy lunch by the bay this weekend.

The Kiosk and Restaurant are open..book below!☀️

https://theboathouse.com.au/

Did You Know?

Last week we explored Cornelian Bay's beginnings as Farm Bay. This week, we're uncovering another fascinating chapter in the bay's history—through the remarkable people whose stories live on at Cornelian Bay Cemetery.

Established in 1873, Cornelian Bay Cemetery now occupies part of the land where the original Government Farm once stood. Beyond its peaceful grounds lie the stories of people whose lives helped shape Tasmania's history.

Sir Henry Jones (1862–1926)
Known as the "Knight of the Jam Tin", Sir Henry Jones began his career at just 12 years old, pasting labels onto jam tins at George Peacock's factory on Hobart's waterfront. He later purchased the business, created the iconic IXL brand—based on his motto, "I excel in everything I do"—and built it into one of Australia's most successful food companies.

John Blundstone (c. 1831–1895)
John Blundstone arrived in Hobart from England and founded John Blundstone & Son in 1870. His small boot-making business became one of Tasmania's most recognised brands, with Blundstone boots now worn in more than 70 countries around the world.

Joe Darling (1870–1946)
One of Australia's greatest early cricketers, Joe Darling captained Australia on three Ashes tours of England and became the first left-handed Australian to score a Test century. After his sporting career, he settled in Tasmania and later served in the Tasmanian Parliament.

Martin Cash (c. 1808–1877)
Perhaps Tasmania's most famous bushranger, Martin Cash became known for his daring escapes from Port Arthur. Unlike many bushrangers, he was eventually pardoned, settled in Glenorchy as a farmer and wrote one of Australia's earliest convict memoirs.

Mary Maria Hayes (1779–1843)
Mary Maria Hayes arrived in Tasmania as a convict after being sentenced for receiving stolen goods in London's underbelly. Refusing to let her past define her, she went on to establish the Derwent Hotel before later owning and operating the Hope and Anchor Tavern, becoming one of Hobart's earliest businesswomen.

It's incredible to think that behind the beautiful grounds of Cornelian Bay lie the stories of entrepreneurs, sporting legends, pioneers and remarkable people whose lives helped shape Tasmania's history.

Whose story would you like us to explore next?

Sunday plans?

A walk by the bay, a coffee in hand and maybe some hot chips on the side sounds pretty good to us.

Whether you're heading out for a stroll or just chasing a bit of sunshine, we'll have your favourites waiting.

Open today | 9:30am–4:30pm. ☕🍟🍦

The forecast? Snow on the mountain = Seafood Chowder by the bay. ❄️

If you're venturing out in the cold, venture in for a bowl of the Seafood Chowder we're famous for.

Fresh local seafood, creamy, comforting and served with warm crusty ciabatta. Pair it with a glass of wine, take in the view, and settle in for a cosy lunch or dinner by the bay.

📍 Book your table today:

https://theboathouse.com.au/

Did you know Cornelian Bay's connection to fresh food dates back more than 220 years?

Long before the Cornelian Bay Boathouse, this foreshore was known as Farm Bay, and was home to Hobart's first Government Farm.

Established in 1804, just weeks after Hobart Town was founded, the fertile land at Farm Bay was cleared and planted with vegetables, grains and potatoes. The farm supplied fresh produce to the new Hobart Town, playing a vital role in feeding Hobart during its earliest years.

While the vegetable gardens have long since disappeared, Cornelian Bay's connection to fresh food stretches back to the very beginning of Hobart's history.