Explore the East Coast

Things to See & do in our region
Picture-perfect, white sand beaches. National parks filled with wonders. Gourmet food bursting with the best local fare.

Cruising

Set sail with East Coast Cruises in a small, intimate group and explore Maria Island with experienced locals. The Spirit of Maria operates cruises and tours to Maria Island and the Ile Des Phoque’s giant sea caves. Their signature tours, Ile Des Phoques and Maria Island circumnavigation, depart from Triabunna marina and offer seven hours of adventure and discovery. Visit seal haul-outs, the Painted Cliffs, Fossil Cliffs and secret locales, plus Tasmanian fare and local sparkling. Explore on foot Darlington, Maria Island’s World Heritage listed convict settlement.

Fishing

St Helens is a prime place to join a professional fishing charter and give offshore and big game fishing a try. Local operators include Rocky Carosi’s Game Fish and Michael Haley’s Gone Fishing. Charters are also available in Swansea with Tasmanian Wild Seafood Adventures and in Orford with South East Charters.

Golf

The picturesque Orford Golf Club has gently undulating fairways, well maintained greens, and views of Maria Island from many fairways. Competitions are on Saturdays for men and Thursdays for ladies. A nine-hole Chicken Run competition is held every Friday.

Walking

Maria Island National Park is a short boat trip from Triabunna. You’ll encounter native wildlife and explore diverse landscapes, including the World Heritage-listed Darlington convict probation station. Take the short walks (1-2 hours return) to Painted Cliffs and Fossil Cliffs or ascend to the top of Bishop and Clerk (3-5 hours return) or Mount Maria (6-7 hours return). Maria is also the location for the four-day Maria Island Walk, one of two east coast walking holidays voted among Australia’s best by Australian Traveller Magazine.

Freycinet National Park has a range of easily accessible walking tracks, including the short walk to Wineglass Bay Lookout (2 hours return), and half or full day walks including Wineglass Bay Beach, Mt Amos, Hazards Beach and the Wineglass Bay/Hazards Beach circuit walk. At Douglas Apsley National Park, located inland from Bicheno, you can choose short walks, including the Apsley Waterhole and Lookout (2-3 hours return), Apsley-Myrtle Rainforest walk (30+ minutes) or the more challenging overnight walk to Heritage Falls and the Rainforest Circuit (7-9 hours return).

At Mt William National Park, you can take your time to wander long beaches (idyllic for summer swimming) and encounter native wildlife, indigenous heritage and diverse plant life.

Biking

Mountain biking is a great way to explore Maria Island National Park. Bring your own bike and spend a day (or several) to see Maria’s diverse landscapes, wildlife and history. There are no cars permitted here, (apart from Parks and Wildlife vehicles) and so riding is safe and uncrowded. This is also a great location for families and children to bring their bikes.

Check the Maria Island by Bike guide for more information on the island’s trails and tips for planning your trip. Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service offer quality bikes and helmets for hire on the island or u can take a guided ride on E-Bikes with Tasmanian E-Bike Adventures.

Wineries and Cellar Doors

At some east coast cellar doors, tasting plates of the region’s delicious produce can be enjoyed alongside the winery’s best vintages. You can savour fresh Tasmanian seafood, matched with the vineyard’s award-winning wines, at Spring Vale Wines’ you will find Mel’s Kitchen, located among the vines on the estate.

If Whisky and Gin is your thing, then you’ll love visiting the Spring Bay Distillery. Distillery tours can range from 1 to 20 people at a time, call Cam on 0417 351 663 to make an appointment.

Dining

The Springbay Seafood and Wine Bar is located directly on the shores of the picturesque Spring Bay. The restaurant focuses on sourcing fresh Tasmanian produce from within a 150km radius of the Resort. Their highly skilled chefs use only the freshest local seafood to create dishes with an Asian fusion. Paired with cool-climate wines from the local region, dinning in the Springbay Seafood and Wine Bar is an experience in itself.

You’re on the coast, on holiday, so of course you’ll want to find the best fish and chips on the island. If you’re interested in a takeaway menu that features locally caught lobster, then pay a visit to the Lobster Shack or Tasmanian Coastal Seafoods at the Gulch in Bicheno. And don’t miss the Fish Van in Triabunna or the fish punts at St Helens, including Skippers, for the freshest local fish and chips you’ll find anywhere.

Marine Farms

The marine farms of Tasmania’s east coast produce premium shellfish that is in demand and exported all over the world. Spring Bay Seafoods, at Triabunna is an award-winning certified organic seafood producer specialising in premium blue mussels and farmed and wild-caught scallops. On a tour of the Freycinet Marine Farm at Coles Bay, you can savour delicate oysters and mussels, plucked straight from the sea and shucked before your eyes. Buy your own oysters, mussels, rock lobster and abalone, or enjoy fresh seafood prepared onsite and accompanied by Tasmanian wines and beers.
Melshell Oyster Shack at Dolphin Sands is a must for oyster lovers. Learn about oyster farming whilst enjoying the freshest oyster experience right at the oyster farm. Waterfront seating and friendly staff make your visit memorable.