Spring’s the perfect time to tick things off your Tassie’s East Coast bucket list, beyond the icons
When you think of Tasmania’s East Coast, images abound of Maria Island with its adorable furry locals, world renowned Wineglass Bay, the ridiculously Instagram-able pinnacle that is Mt Amos, and of course the Bay of Fires – pristine white sandy beaches, crystal clear water and orange lichen covered rock hopping…
But we wanted you to know what else was hiding beyond the icons. Here’s our top ten things to tick off your East Coast Tassie bucket list this Spring!
- Get outdoors and go caravanning or camping – the weather is getting warmer and the best campsites [RV friendly too] are up for grabs. Our stunning coastline stretches 220km with some of the most scenic, coast-hugging road imaginable. Not sure where to start – don’t worry we’ve got a handy camping guide to help you find your slice of paradise. There are also some pretty cool glamping places too!
- Visit a vineyard – the vineyards are coming alive with the first bud bursts bringing colour and life into our cool-climate vineyards. Meet winemakers and brewers and sample fine wines, beer accompanied by tasting plates of Tasmanian cheeses and other luscious morsels, all while soaking up incredible east coast views.
- Saddle up and go mountain biking – where else in the world can you ride Mountains to the Sea, ending your ride on one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, the Bay of Fires? Whether you like to shred some serious downhill, enjoy some cross-country flow or just want a fun day on the trails with the family, St Helen’s Mountain Bike Trails have an experience for everyone.
- Take a walk on the East Coast – sometimes walking is the best way to discover something wonderful. Walk your way across the East Coast in our diverse national parks to our endless beaches. Descend through huge eucalypts, musk, myrtle, mosses and ferns to the majesty of the Blue Tier Giant, the widest living tree in Australia. Or maybe a town walk experience is more your style. The East Coast Towns have their own walking experiences.
- Forest bathing over Elephant Pass and beyond – the journey through Elephant Pass is an experience in itself. The winding, narrow roads combined with the change of smell from salty goodness to luscious rainforest transport you to another world. Drive to the Fingal Valley to Evercreech Forest Reserve to visit the White Knights, the tallest white gum trees in existence. Or how about literally bathing in the crystal blue waterholes in Douglas Apsley National Park.
- Follow the trails of the convicts – the convict system was a major feature in the history of Tasmania. Take a bush walk along the old convict road which runs beside the Prosser River to the ruins of the Paradise Probation Station or stop off at Spiky Bridge and make your own speculations why it was built with this unusual design.
- Collect shells on Kelvedon Beach – or any beach for that matter! The cobbled rock patches and sands are littered with beautiful shells to collect. What gorgeous treasures will you find? While you are there, be sure to check out the old weathered boatshed which stands solitary on this exposed strip of beach.
- Get off the beaten track in Freycinet National Park – founded in 1916 and ranks among Tasmania’s oldest parks, discover some of Freycinet’s lesser known beauty spots. Explore the national park in the traditional way by foot, water taxi or on a cruise. Or for the thrill seekers, add a little adventure by taking an ATV tour, paddle about in a kayak or snorkel into an underwater paradise through the beautiful clear waters.
- Get your wildlife fix – delight in the waddle of little penguins at Bicheno, ooh and ahh at the spring lambs along the East Coast countryside, snap a picture or two of our gorgeous blonde wombats [totally Instagrammable!], get up close and personal with Devils or meet Mickey the green anaconda!
- Hike to St Columba Falls – it’s one of Tasmania’s tallest waterfalls, with a waterfall drop of over 90 metres. The track is suitable for most ages so get your hiking boots out and explore. If waterfall chasing is your thing, Tasmania’s east coast has several impressive falls.
And we’ve thrown in a couple of extra bucket list must-do’s because there’s endless opportunities on Tassie’s East Coast – this Spring start exploring your own backyard!
- Grab your wetsuit and go surfing – step off almost anywhere along the East Coast and you can take your pick of uncrowded breaks to suit surfers of every stripe. Whether you ride a shortboard, longboard, stand up paddleboard, bodyboard or kite surfing, Tasmania’s east coast has no shortage of prime surf spots.
- Boat along the Bay – Possibly one of Tassie’s most Instagrammed places has to be the Bay of Fires. The iconic red lichen covered rock makes for a sensational selfie backdrop. Explore the Bay of Fires with the Bay of Fires Eco Tours and further south, Bicheno’s Glass Bottom Boat, Wineglass Bay Tours or East Coast Cruises.
Photo Credit: St Helens Mountain Bike Trails, Stu Gibson
Photo Credit: Evercreech Forest, Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Services
Photo Credit: Tourism Tasmania and Rob Burnett
Photo Credit: Darlington Prohibition Station, Stu Gibson
