Touring Tasmania: East Coast

After bringing you the delights of Freycinet Peninsula and Bay of Fires, I’m backtracking a little and giving you a glimpse of the best of the rest of the East Coast of Tasmania.

From Hobart this spectacular drive north through hills, sheep farms and eventually spectacular coastline, starts at Orford. The the drive extends with over 200Kms of breathtaking scenery, a number of pristine beaches and national parks.

Along the way you can follow a taste trail of superb fresh seafood, wines and local ales. For the more active there is walking, kayaking, diving, sea cruises and much more.

Orford

Orford is a popular holiday township that offers riverside and bayside beauty, plenty of beaches, interesting bushwalks and a great base from which to explore Maria Island National Park.

Popular swimming beaches close to town include Raspins, Shelley and Spring Beach – linked by a two-kilometre coastal walk that passes through an old sandstone quarry.

Of course there is great fishing in the Prosser River and out into the bay with a bounty of fresh seafood including flathead, abalone and southern rock lobster.

Maria Island

Maria Island is a natural wildlife sanctuary and off-shore island on the East Coast with historic ruins, sweeping bays and dramatic cliffs which are accessible by ferry from Orford. The island offers excellent walking and cycling journeys. You can explore the buildings and ruins of Darlington – a ghost town with a convict past. The waters around Maria Island include a Marine Nature Reserve and are visited regularly by seals and whales. The abundant marine life and clear waters makes for spectacular diving and snorkelling.

Mayfield Bay

Mayfield Bay’s sandy beach and coastal area offers good camping, fishing, swimming, surfing and diving, as well as wonderful views across Great Oyster Bay to Freycinet Peninsula.

Spiky Bridge

A little further north from Mayfield Bay is the convict-built Spiky Bridge. This strange looking bridge was built in the 1840s by a convict road gang. The bridge was built from local fieldstone with stones placed vertically along the parapet, giving the bridge its spiky appearance. Legend has it that the spikes were designed to prevent cattle falling over the sides. Ouchy!

Swansea

A pretty seaside village that looks out over Great Oyster Bay to the spectacular granite peaks of Freycinet National Park, Swansea has a rich colonial history, unique attractions and old world charm. The rose garden at the Information Centre was absolutely glorious!

There are beautiful beaches and of course a bit jetty for fishing.

You can see Freycinet Peninsula across the bay.

A little further out of town you will see the Freycinet Vineyards.

Bicheno

Located north of the Freycinet Peninsula, is the small seaside town of Bicheno. Offshore, the Governor Island Marine Reserve has some of the best diving spots in Australia, with kelp-covered reefs and spectacular sponge gardens.

This water wonderland can also be experienced by kayak or glass-bottomed boat with water clarity like this.

Scamander

Located between St Helens and St Marys on the banks of the Scamander River, this seaside spot is popular with surfers for the surf breaks at Scamander Beach. A popular local attraction is Henderson Lagoon, a hidden gem with clear waters and 7Kms of well-marked trails.

St Helens

The largest town on Tasmania’s North-East Coast and just a few kilometres away from Binalong Bay and the southern end of the beautiful beaches of the Bay of Fires, is the fishing port town of St Helens. Renowned for its catches of deep sea fish and lobster and a popular destination for recreational fishing.

It goes without saying that these East Coast spots are abundant with seafood and a haven for fishermen, divers and snorkellers. With such pristineness and relatively uninhabited areas along the East Coast it is a wonderland of the ocean’s bounties. I could happily wile away a few weeks here and scoff myself with some of the divine feasts from the sea!