|
|
|
  |
| East Coast of TASMANIA |
|
| Scroll down for details of St Helens to Bicheno, the Freycinet Peninsula and Maria Island |
 |
|
East Coast - Introduction |
| The Tasman Highway runs east
from Launceston to St Helens on the coast, passing through Scottsdale
and Herrick en route, and then turns south running all the way down the
coast to Hobart. St Helens is the largest town on the east coast and the lovely Freycinet Peninsula is about 60 km south of it. Maria Island is a similar distance south again, accessed from Triabunna. A few kilometres south of Triabunna at Orford, the road leaves the coast and swings across to Hobart. |
|
 ST HELENS (and Georges Bay).
St Helens, pictured, is the largest town on the east coast and it grew up when tin
was discovered in 1874 at Blue Tier and mines proliferated in the area,
continuing to be worked until the end of the century. Now St Helens
relies on tourism, fishing and timber for its living. A little way above
St Helens, in the north east, is the lovely Bay of Fires - a great way
to see the Bay of Fires is on the 4
day East Coast Wilderness WalkSCAMANDER A pleasant place where locals go on holiday, with holiday homes, caravan parks and self contained (self catering) accommodation. FALMOUTH A very tiny and attractive village with some private local accommodation available. DOUGLAS-APSLEY NATIONAL PARK www.parks.tas.gov.au/natparks/douglas-apsley is a dolerite-capped plateau located a short way inland between Falmouth and Bicheino. This former mining, logging and farming area was declared a national park in 1989 to protect Tasmania's largest remaining area of sclerophyll forest. With vehicle access now denied, the park is regenerating to its original state and is a haven for an abundance of wildlife. Bushwalking and river swimming are popular here. BICHENO Charming small seaside fishing village with good range of accommodation. |
|
 Freycinet National Park
www.parks.tas.gov.au/natparks/freycinet
is
very roughly 3 hours drive from Hobart or 3.5 hours from Devonport. The
park has magnificent white beaches and coastal heathland, dominated by
the three peaks, Amos, Dove and Mayson known as the Hazards (pictured at
top of page). The
peninsula once had a whaling station and tin and coal mining in the
nineteenth century but it became a national park in 1916 and is now
largely a wilderness area with some marvellous walks and little
vehicular access. There is a 27 km walking circuit of the park with overnight bush campsites and from the car park there are several shorter walks, one of which is to the saddle between Mt Amos and Mt Mayson from where there are gorgeous views of Wineglass Bay, Mt Graham and Mt Freycinet. A really excellent small group walk, staying in luxurious accommodation, is the 4 day Best of Freycinet Walk COLES BAY Near the park boundary is the small town of Coles Bay, the base for a number of local nature based tour operators. Supplies are available here and watersports are on offer. There are bed and breakfasts and self catering accommodations in the area. |
|
Continuing southwards down
the east coast on the Tasman Highway is Triabunna from where ferries run
several times daily to Maria Island National Park www.parks.tas.gov.au/natparks/maria
Maria Island is 15 km off the east coast of Tasmania and is 20 km long
by 13km at its widest. In the early nineteenth century it was a penal
colony and in the 1880s an Italian businessman rebuilt Darlington with
plans to produce wine, cement and silk. The depression finally finished
off this venture and the island remained virtually deserted until it
became a national park in 1972, since when a number of the old buildings
have been restored.The island has beautiful beaches and dramatic coastal scenery, with a variety of vegetation including coastal heathland, woodland and rainforest and of course prolific wildlife. Maria Island has no electricity, no shops and only limited tank water. Basic campsites are provided and there is dormitory accommodation at Darlington. The Island is a wonderful place to walk and there is an outstanding 4 day Maria Island Walk. Shorter guided walks are offered by local rangers. |
| Return to - Top
Tasmania Summary Page
Tas Regions
Intro AUS
GUIDE BOOK Contents Page or hit 'Back' Button
|
| HOME |
|
|
| Truly Australia have attempted to give an honest and objective description of the topics covered on this page and have deliberately avoided regurgitating tourist office media releases. The information shown has been compiled from a variety of reputable sources and our own experiences. We check and review this information from time to time, but we assume no responsibility for the absolute accuracy of the details given. |
