An eat, stay, play guide to Tasmania’s east coast

HERE’S why you need to get yourself to Tasmania’s east coast before everyone else discovers its spectacular landscapes and beautiful beaches.

There are few travel destinations which really do have something for everyone. Tasmania’s east coast is one of those exceptions.

“SOMETHING for everyone” is a common phrase which should be banned from travel stories.

Banned, that is, after this final reference to Tasmania’s Great Eastern Drive. There’s just no other way to describe it.

So few places pack such diversity of attractions — natural, thrillseeking and culinary — all into a meandering stretch than this spectacular coastal odyssey, one of Australia’s premier road trips. With options to cater to any budget, it’s about time you booked a flight to Hobart to begin, arguably, Tasmania’s wildest drive, from Orford in the south to the Bay of Fires up north, dropping in on charming small towns along the way. Kick off your road trip by flying into Hobart and starting from Orford, or do it the reverse, flying into Launceston and leaving from St Helens.

Pro tip: Allow at least five days to experience the trip in all its majesty.

PLAY

Hire a bike to ride around Maria Island: If you’re heading to Tassie to switch off, Maria Island — just a 30-minute ferry ride from Triabunna — is the perfect first stop. There are no cars or shops, so it’s best to hire a mountain bike to explore the tranquil National Park and World Heritage-listed Darlington convict settlement. Australia’s most intact convict probation station will immediately make you feel removed from any residual stress from back home.

The island also offers A+ hiking trails, swimming, snorkelling and scuba diving, and one of the best ways to get around is by hiring a bike. Keep your eyes peeled for Maria’s abundant native wildlife, including wombats, Forester kangaroos, pademelons, Tasmanian devils and 11 of the state’s 12 endemic bird species.

Surf in the Tasman Sea: Bobbing around in Tassie’s sometimes-frigid ocean isn’t everyone’s idea of fun, but a surf along the state’s wave-slapped east coast is a treasured memory for many intrepid visitors.

There are countless beach breaks from the Freycinet Peninsula, all the way up to Eddystone Point, but if you’re just starting out it’s wise to grab a surf lesson. 42 South Surf School, based in the north-western surf shack town of Scamander, is an epic option — partly because the water’s at least a tad warmer up here. Wetsuit essential.

Bobbing around in St Helens: You’re not done on the water yet. Just north of Scamander is St Helens — the biggest town on the northeast coast. It’s an ideal place to set up camp and rest your weary legs, not only to explore the nearby Bay of Fires, but to venture into the wild Tasman Sea on a private cruise.

Many local operators — including East Coast Cruises — offer day trips to cater to those wanting to witness the giant granite sea caves and fossil cliffs from the water. Cliffs If you’re after a more leisurely or affordable option, simply throw in a line from a picturesque jetty or the shore.

Take a hike at the Bay of Fires: The Bay of Fires is a 50km stretch of white sand beaches, crystal clear water, orange boulders, bluffs and lagoons just north of St Helens. It’s the kind of place you’d think was built specifically for Instagram.

A multi-day guided walk is one of the best ways to explore this natural wonder, with one of the best being the four-day Bay of Fires Lodge Walk, which includes two nights at the gorgeous Bay of Fires Lodge.

The three-day, four-night Aboriginal-owned, operated and guided Wukalina Walk (departing Launceston) is another cracker, offering amazing insights into the culture and homeland of the palawa people. If you’re simply after a leisurely stroll, set foot from the charming Binalong Bay.

EAT

Homestead Restaurant: If you’re looking for a slice of luxury with a distinctly Tasmanian flavour, add the Homestead Restaurant at the Piermont Retreat near Swansea to your itinerary. The award-winning restaurant’s modern Australian menu makes the most of seasonal produce from neighbouring organic farmers and winemakers, so the cuisine’s constantly evolving. They can even organise a picnic hamper for visitors to take when exploring Maria Island or the Great Eastern Drive. Mark Eather line-caught market fish, artisan butter and lobster bisque, anyone?

The views of Great Oyster Bay complete this memorable and authentically Tassie dining experience.

Devil’s Corner Cellar Door: No Great Eastern Drive trip is complete without sampling the region’s internationally renowned cool-climate wines, and Devil’s Corner Cellar Door between Swansea and Bicheno is a primo spot to enjoy a glass or three. Devil’s Corner produces a range of classy whites as well as a pinot noir, and when you’re done tasting them all it’s time to grab a bite from its Tombolo Cafe — think woodfired pizzas and superb espresso (picnic rug recommended). Or The Fishers will fill you up with mouth-watering fish and chips and oysters.

Finish with a walk to the lookout to gaze down on the sweeping vineyards, lagoon and mountain range. Buy a bottle for a nightcap back at your digs.  

Have a punt at St Helens: If seafood’s your jam, you’ve come to absolutely the right place. The east coast is brimming with fishing villages, restaurants and markets where you can get your fill of the local catch from Tassie’s pristine clean seas. St Helens is a hotspot where fishmongers sell from waterfront fish punts, plus à la carte seafood meals, and fish and chips abound.

Then wander 300m west of the Fisherman’s Wharf and you’ll find Salty Seas ‘The Rock Lobster Shed’ — a seafood complex and fish shack on stilts that boasts commercial quantities of huge live Southern Rock lobsters in aquarium tanks and heaps of other fresh seafood straight off the boat.

You can also learn about the local species and seafood industry or enjoy a delicious platter on its deck, overlooking the scenic Medea Cove bird sanctuary.

STAY

Back to nature at a free campsite: If you’re travelling on a budget, never fear — free campsites dot the drive, allowing you to live among the wallabies and stunning coastal vistas without breaking the bank. Hire a Britz Australia Campervan Rental or Cruisin’ Tasmania Motorhomes to cruise from camp to camp in humble comfort.

The free and secluded Jeanneret Beach campsite at the Bay of Fires is a prime example – it sits alongside a specky granite headland and kilometres of white sand beach to swim and explore.

Get a taste of country life: Meet the alpacas at Kentish Hills, luxurious self-catering motel/ farm stay, located near the “Town of Murals” in Sheffield. Finish your tip at Cradle Mountain at Lemonthyme Wilderness Retreat, which offers a range of luxury spa suites, self-contained family cabins or romantic tree-top hideaways.

Treat yo’self: Another played out phrase that still finds meaning in Tasmania. Options abound, but few can match the Freycinet Lodge situated on the spectacular waterfront location at the foot of the Hazards. All suites within this advanced eco-accredited lodge are specially designed to fit into the dramatic coastal bushland on the shores of Great Oyster Bay and offer the perfect base to explore the surrounding parkland. For those who really want to splurge, an exclusive dining experience offers a candle-light evening filled with three mouth-watering courses, nestled between the native bushland and blue ocean waters complete with a private waiter. Alternatively, the lodge can organise the Freycinet Aqua Taxi to drop you off on a secluded location of Hazards Beach where you’ll be treated to a sumptuous seafood picnic paired with a bottle of east coast sparkling.

Catch frequent and cheap flights to Tasmania from major cities on mainland Australia. Before you book, check out airlines via Helloworld Travel offering great package deals.

Originally published as An eat, stay, play guide to Tasmania’s east coast