East Coast Tasmania

East Coast Tasmania

Tasmania’s east coast, with its natural beauty, spectacular landscapes and long beautiful beaches offers a completely different Australian coastal experience. Here you’ll discover the beaches of the beautiful Bay of Fires, one of Lonely Planet’s top 10 regions in the world, along with historic townships, fresh seafood and friendly locals – all on one of the best scenic coastal drives in the country.

Port Arthur

Port Arthur is a village and historic site in south-east Tasmania, Australia. Sitting on the Tasman Peninsula, it was a 19th-century penal settlement and is now an open-air museum. Ruins include the huge penitentiary and the remaining shell of the Convict Church, which was built by inmates. Solitary confinement cells in the Separate Prison building were used to inflict mental punishment in place of floggings.

Freycinet National Park

Five national parks spread along the coast including the stunning Freycinet National Park with its pink granite mountains, white beaches and crystal clear sea.

There are short walks across the park that are suitable for all abilities and that lead to secluded bays, clean beaches and bird-filled lagoons. The beautiful beaches and pristine waters that surround the park are perfect for swimming, diving and snorkeling, kayaking or just enjoying a relaxing moment on the perfect white sand.

For half day trek, continue on from the Wineglass Bay lookout down to the beautiful, perfectly curved beach and back to the park entrance via the Hazards Range for amazing views of Great Oyster Bay. Visit at sunrise and sunset to see The Hazards when the pink granite glows bright and brilliant.

To walk the whole length of the Freycinet Peninsula you will require a minimum of two days. Visiting more remote places like Cooks Beach and Bryans Beach. Ensure you have plenty of water and supplies.

This is a location visited on many of the tours, taking you to the best places in the most time efficient way. Along with local knowledge makes this one of the most popular destinations on a Tasmanian Tour.

Bicheno and St Helens

The two largest towns on the east coast are Bicheno and St Helens – both busy fishing ports, so expect some of the freshest seafood around. There’s also some of the best game fishing in Australia. And for those interested in diving, there are sheer rock walls, deep fissures, caves, sponges and sea whips, not to mention world-famous kelp forests.

Inland from the coast you’ll find temperate rainforests, fresh grown produce and the rich heritage of the boom days of tin mining as well as fruits and berries from orchards and gardens and full-flavoured beef and lamb raised on seaside pastures.

With this range of activities and adventures to choose from, it’s no wonder the east coast attracts visitors from around the world.