The place names go some way to telling the story of the region’s heritage: Freycinet (French), Schouten and Maria (Dutch), Swansea (Welsh), Ben Lomond (Scottish), and Triabunna and Weilangta (Aboriginal).
Heading north from Hobart, you can stroll, swim or surf at Spring Beach near Orford. To get to historic Maria Island, take the ferry from Louisville.
There’s excellent camping, walking, climbing and wildlife on Maria Island, as well as the convict settlement of Darlington.
At Swansea there’s the Swansea Bark Mill, Wine and Wool Centre, and Kate’s Berry Farm, which offers home-grown fruit and delicious home-made ice cream.
One of the most picturesque spots on the coast is Wineglass Bay in Freycinet National Park. It was ranked as one of the world’s best beaches by US-based Outsider magazine. Freycinet is renowned for its bushwalks, climbing and camping. There are evening observational tours to meet the nocturnal wildlife.
There’s also wildlife aplenty around Bicheno. You can join an evening penguin tour in season, and at the nearby East Coast Birdlife and Animal Park, there are Tasmanian devils, wombats and more. There’s excellent walking in the Douglas-Apsley National Park, just north of Bicheno.
Between Chain of Lagoons and St Marys you may like to take a break and sample one of the legendary pancakes at the top of Elephant’s Pass. Explore the spectacular sand dunes at St Helens or charter a yacht or fishing boat. The St Helen’s History Room is also worth a visit. North of St Helen’s, visit the Bay of Fires and The Gardens Coastal Reserves (near Binalong Bay).
Explore Mt William National Park for history, wildlife, plant life and long, empty beaches. Drive (slowly) around Mt William’s Forester Drive to see Tasmania’s large native kangaroos in their natural habitat.
‘Forester’ is the name given to these great, grey ‘roos and the best times to see them grazing are dawn and dusk.
Attractions
Rainbow Retreat has the highest conservation listing available. A Private Nature Reserve can only be granted to properties who have particular natural values and is passed by both houses of the Tasmanian State Parliament.
Rainbow Retreat Eco Lodge and Cabins is a Carbon Neutral Business click here
CENTRAL TO BICHENO, SWANSEA, COLES BAY, WINE GLASS BAY, FREYCINET NATIONAL PARK & THE BAY OF FIRES.
