Make the most of Tasmania’s awesome east coast!

The east coast of Tasmania boasts some of Australia’s most magnificent natural experiences. Whether you’re into hiking dramatic landscapes or diving into underwater wonderlands, walking white-sand beaches by true blue waters, scenic cruises, sea-kayaking, wildlife spotting or savouring super-fresh seafood, this itinerary’s got it all, plus some historical convict sites.

Drive off Spirit of Tasmania and straight onto the highway, travelling east about two hours to Bridport. Get a coffee, stretch your legs by the sea on the Bridport Walking Track, and buy provisions for a north-eastern wilderness picnic. You’re headed for Mount William National Park’s northern gate, about 80 kilometres away via Musselroe Road (C845).

This park is out of the way so you’ll encounter few people but loads of wilderness and wildlife. Grazing kangaroos, wallabies and their Tassie cousin the pademelon are common, as are birds like yellow-tailed black cockatoos and sea eagles. The shore’s a picture of clear blue water, pristine white beaches and rocky outcrops covered in bright-orange lichen. It’s an easy 90-minute-return walk to little Mount William’s summit, while highlights in the park’s south include Picnic Rocks and the 1889 lighthouse at Eddystone Point.

From the lighthouse it’s an hour’s drive to St Helens, Tasmania’s second-largest fishing port. So you can’t go past seafood for dinner, perhaps at the popular Skippers Fish Shop. This blue boat-meets-restaurant also does take-away and fresh seafood for self-catering.

Spend the day exploring the beautiful Bay of Fires’ 29 kilometres of stunning white-sand beaches, including in the Bay of Fires Conservation Area less than 30 minutes from St Helens. Even closer is Binalong Bay, a village at this renowned region’s southernmost point where you can take a sightseeing cruise and lunch at Meresta Eatery. Or while away the hours swimming, snorkelling, diving or fishing.

Eventually head south to Bicheno, an hour’s drive from Binalong Bay. Consider pausing along the way to toast the east coast with a drink or even dinner overlooking the Tasman Sea at White Sands Estate, which has a winery, brewery and distillery.

Get to know this fishing town and summer holiday destination, perhaps starting with the Glass Bottom Boat. This cruise explores the Governor Island Marine Reserve’s kelp forests and sponge gardens, home to colourful critters like lobsters, anemones and weedy sea dragons. It’s among Australia’s best temperate diving destinations, but there are also lots aquatic attractions for snorkelers in sheltered Waubs Bay. Bicheno is popular with surfers too.

On dry land, stroll along the beach – but watch out for the Blowhole, which shoots water up to 20 metres high! Don’t miss the official penguin tour, which gives you a good look at these cute birds waddling up the beach at dusk. Animal lovers will also enjoy the Devils in the Dark experience and Natureworld sanctuary.

Today’s eating options include The Wharf Fish & Chips (check out their Tasmania Coastal Seafoods shop if you’re self-catering), The Lobster Shack and The Pondering Frog cafe’s handmade chocolate-coated berry ice-creams.

Freycinet National Park’s visitor centre is only 30 minutes’ drive from Bicheno, so you can pack plenty of this coastal wilderness in today, including yet more white sand and blue water combos. Experience an iconic view from Wineglass Bay Lookout, accessed by one of Tasmania’s 60 Great Short Walks. The others in this park are Wineglass Bay and Hazards Beach circuit, the Friendly Beaches and easy Cape Tourville. The smorgasbord of active options also includes hiking to the summit of Mount Amos, guided sea-kayaking with Freycinet Adventures, swimming, snorkelling and diving.

Prefer to admire Freycinet Peninsula in comfort? Sign up for a scenic flight with Freycinet Air, or Wineglass Bay Cruises’ half-day sightseeing voyage. The cruise includes lunch, epic vistas of the pink granite Hazards Mountains, and wildlife such as seabirds, seals and maybe migrating whales.

Just outside Freycinet National Park, the town of Coles Bay is a good bet for picnic provisions, or dining at establishments like Iluka Tavern and Géographe. On your way to Triabunna, which is 100 kilometres south, get a final taste of Freycinet at Melshell Oyster Shack or Freycinet Marine Farm, and East Coast Wine Trail cellar doors such as Devil’s Corner. Triabunna’s dinner options include The Fish Van and The Colonial Food & Wine, where you can also pre-order a gourmet lunch pack for tomorrow’s Maria Island adventure.

You’re in for an amazing day on Maria Island, a national park and marine reserve with dramatic landscapes, abundant wildlife and convict heritage. It’s car-free so head to Triabunna’s wharf for East Coast Cruises' daytrip or go your own way with the passenger ferry (which also offers bike hire). BYO food and drinks because the island is shop-free too.

Maria Island’s 116 square kilometres boasts three of Tasmania’s 60 Great Short Walks, including one to the the naturally sculpted and patterned Painted Cliffs. There’s also Fossil Cliffs walk’s 300-million-year-old sea creatures, and a more challenging hike up the jagged twin peaks of Bishop and Clerk via varied vegetation.

The island’s convict-era buildings include the 1825 commissariat store, which is now the visitor centre, and 1830 penitentiary. This special place is also a natural sanctuary for wildlife including wombats, Cape Barren geese and Tasmanian Devils, while the surrounding waters are rich with life that make this a popular snorkelling and diving destination.

There’s so much to experience on Maria Island, but don’t miss the boat back to Triabunna!

Today is all about the Tasman Peninsula, whose most famous attraction is the Port Arthur Historic Site, about 90 minutes south of Triabunna. There’s much more to explore besides this convict-era heritage hot spot though, such as the free, usually quiet Coal Mines Historic Site nearby.

The peninsula’s also renowned for wild coastal landscapes, including the Tessellated Pavement and the southern hemisphere’s highest sea cliffs, which you can get a good look at with Tasman Island Cruises. Their three-hour sightseeing adventure also reveals sea caves, waterfalls and wildlife such as peregrine falcons and dolphins. Other aquatic options include guided sea-kayaking tours with Roaring 40ºs, and underwater wonders like sponge gardens and the wreck of the SS Nord in one of Tasmania’s best diving zones.

Or explore Tasman National Park on foot, perhaps with another Great Short Walk: the Waterfall Bay, Cape Raoul and Cape Hauy trails all reveal extraordinary rock formations and sea views. Don’t worry if you’re not a walker. Natural wonders like the Blowhole, Tasman Arch and Devil's Kitchen are accessible by car, and there’s also the Tasmanian Devil Unzoo for close encounters with these endangered animals.

Take your pick from several peninsula villages’ dining and accommodation, from B&Bs to camping. The township of Port Arthur has the most options, including Stewarts Bay Lodge and its public restaurant.

Farewell the coast with a morning walk on a beach or to a lookout, then travel north to Devonport. From Port Arthur it’s a four-hour drive north west, so there’s plenty of time to pause in historic towns like Richmond and Ross.

Information included in this blog is correct at the time of publishing. Please contact individual operators for further information.