Tasmania is arguably the most beautiful of all Australia’s states with its spectacular, untouched, old-growth forests, historical towns and scenic coastline. If you are looking for a fun, action-packed holiday, you can’t ignore the sensational east coast of Tasmania. As the smallest state in the country, it is jam-packed with physical beauty and historical features, making it the perfect destination for visitors. There are plenty of reasons to visit and many fabulous things to do if you are planning to explore the east coast, but VroomVroomVroomVroom has narrowed it down to just seven. Read the list below!
Visitors to Tassie must see the famed Freycinet Coast and Wineglass Bay. With adventure sports, fresh seafood and breathtaking scenery it’s the perfect destination for families, older travellers or adventurers. The two and half hour drive north-east from Hobart (or just two hours from Launceston) snakes its way along the gorgeous, emerald Prosser River, through sleepy mountain ranges and along some of the most breath-taking coastline in the country. If you have some time to spare, experience one of Australia’s most dramatic road trips on the Great Eastern Drive.
Situated north of the Freycinet Peninsula, the town of Bicheno sits on the stunning east coast of Tasmania. Travel time from Hobart to Bicheno via Tasman Highway/A3 takes about 2 hours and 30 minutes. Foodies will love the local seafood including crayfish and abalone. Adventure tourists will enjoy snorkeling, hiking, scuba diving and kayaking. If blowholes excite you, don’t miss the Bicheno blowhole. There’s plenty to do for families as well, such as Tassie Devil spotting and plenty of family-friendly walks in the nearby Douglas-Apsley National Park.
Widely recognised as one of the most beautiful places in Australia, a visit to the Bay of Fires is a must-see if you are in this part of Tasmania. Located along the island’s east coast, the bay stretches more than 50 kilometres from Eddystone Point in the north to Binalong Bay in the south. Here, you’ll see white beaches and aquamarine waters with magnificent rock formations made of orange-hued granite. From Bicheno, the Bay of Fires is only a 45-minute drive while travel time from Hobart to the Bay of Fires takes about 4 hours via National Highway 1 and ESK Highway/A4. Other popular things to do in the Bay of Fires include trekking, camping, bird watching, fishing and boating.
Foodies and wine lovers are in for a real treat when they visit the town of Swansea. The area is famous for its seafood and for being the gateway to Tasmania’s boutique wine country. It is also a good place to simple relax in, to sample and enjoy the charming coastal town vibe. A pinnacle of a visit is to the spectacular Freycinet National Park. From Swansea, enjoy the views of Oyster Bay as you head east towards Coles Bay.
You may realise you’re in Coles Bay when you spy the sparkling clear waters or the sandy beaches but most likely it will be the rugged landscape, with its dramatic cliffs and stunning pink granite peaks, that you’ll notice first. Coles Bay offers visitors the opportunity to get up close to pods of friendly dolphins on a cruise to the spectacular Wineglass Bay. Take in all the natural beauty from numerous walking tracks and lookouts within the Freycinet National Park.
Located in the Tasman Sea, take a day trip out to Maria Island to a dive on the world class reef, to walk through the UNESCO-listed historical ruins or to take a photo or two of the wildlife, including penguins as they huddle together on picturesque cliff tops. If it all sounds a bit too taxing, simply settle in for a nice, long day of fishing in the crystal clear waters of Prosser Bay.
The town of Richmond with its 19th century stone buildings and postcard-pretty scenery is another popular destinations in Tasmania. If you are the type to yearn for a slice of settlement history, Richmond Village is a wonderful place to shop, with olden style lolly shops, handmade lace and pretty linen and beautiful wooden handicrafts.
