Bicheno

Penguin sightings at dusk, rock lobster and abalone for lunch and white-sand beaches all day. Here’s how you do Bicheno.

Bicheno sits on a stretch of coast where the granite turns orange at sunrise, little penguins waddle home to their seaside burrows and dinner arrives fresh from the boats you see on the water. In this surfy east-coast town, a single day itinerary routinely becomes three. Between the beaches, blowhole, diving, wildlife and national parks, why rush it?

The Governor Island Marine Reserve just offshore is one of Australia’s best temperate diving spots, with thriving kelp reefs and sponge gardens. Prefer to stay dry? A glass-bottom boat tour does the trick.

Why visit Bicheno?

If your ideal holiday sounds like washing down fresh lobster and abalone with local wine and whisky, swimming at natural waterholes and turquoise beaches, or pampering yourself at a secluded nature stay, then put Bicheno on your radar.

Whether embracing adventure-filled days with your family or basking somewhere beautiful with great food, this friendly beach town has you covered. It's recently been named Australian Traveller's #1 Best Town in Australia for 2026. But despite the hype, it's feels as laidback and unfussy as ever.

Bicheno in Tasmania is a logistical dream: the town sits squarely on the Great Eastern Drive, the coastal route running from Orford in the south to St Helens in the north. Bicheno’s central position puts Freycinet National Park 30mins to the south and Douglas-Apsley National Park 15mins to the west, so your options are plenty on your next east-coast road trip.

Where to stay in Bicheno

Looking for accommodation in Bicheno? There’s a pad for every proclivity in this paradise. Places to stay in Bicheno range from sunny beachfront houses to powered caravan and camping sites. The town is particularly popular over summer, so book early if you’re visiting between December and February. Other popular periods to book ahead for are during Bicheno Beams winter laser light festival (June–July) and Bicheno Food and Wine Festival (November) – two vibrant gatherings celebrating the community’s arts, culture and culinary producers.

The best way to find your dream stay? Browse accommodation in Bicheno and filter by property type. Or read on below for our best picks.

Beachfront and coastal stays

One thing you’ll soon discover about Bicheno: it’s naturally blessed with beaches. Fall asleep to the sound of the Tasman Sea and wake up a short walk from the water. Cooinda on the Bay sits 20 steps from Waubs Bay – an easy trot from the on-site sauna to the cooling sea. The sophisticated Villa Redbill offers vast beach views towards diamond island, while closer to Bicheno Blowhole, Bicheno by the Bay has colourful prism-shaped timber cottages overlooking the open sea. Browse all beachfront accommodation in Bicheno.

Self-contained holiday homes and cottages

Shack up and settle in on the deck with some fresh seafood at a self-contained stay.

Venture inland to the timber haven of Sunrise Place, with vast east-coast views from this peaceful plot in the bush. You’ll have everything you need to hideaway here. Mr Percival has a coastal chic vibe with shaggy throws, timber floors and light white rooms to refresh and relax. Diamond Skies is another self-contained gem, with spacious living areas and a freestanding outdoor bathtub for lazy lounging. There’s also Gaol House Cottage if you’re a history buff. Shower in the original gaol cells, relax in the private gardens and enjoy a short stroll to many nearby Bicheno attractions.

Family-friendly accommodation

Patrolled beach, wildlife park, easy foreshore walks — Bicheno keeps kids occupied and gives families a solid few days of activity without the need for much driving.

Find Sandpiper Ocean Cottages nestled in the bush just a short stroll from the sand and sea, complete with cosy log fire and sunny verandah. At Lifebuoy Beach House, the little ones can run wild in the backyard, play table tennis, hang out by the fire and retreat to a blue Combi van-style bunk bed. Or for bigger clans, Sea. Salt. Sun Beach House sleeps up to 12 and lends itself to long BBQ lunches and firepit gatherings.

Caravan parks and camping

Wake to the ultimate natural soundtrack at Douglas-Apsley National Park Camping Ground: birdsong, rustling trees and a flowing river. This dry sclerophyll forest national park is a haven for 11 of Tasmania’s 12 endemic bird species, with a pristine waterhole right near your campsite. Bicheno East Coast Holiday Park has powered and unpowered sites alongside cabins, plus a playground, BBQ and rec room. Old Coal Mine Lagoon is a neat spot to park your campervan or caravan and look out over the water, meeting the occasional visiting wallaby.

Things to do in Bicheno

If you’re in search of Bicheno attractions, read on. Whether you prefer wildlife or marine life, water activities or walks, Freycinet National Park or Douglas-Apsley National Park, you’re unlikely to run out of things to do in Bicheno, and most of them don’t require much effort beyond checking the tide.

Wildlife and penguins

Little penguins return to shore at dusk every evening, waddling from the Tasman Sea up to their burrows at Redbill and Waubs Beaches. You can spot penguins year-round, but the best viewing months are September–January during breeding season, while June–August’s nesting season offers a more intimate encounter.

Bicheno Penguin Tours offers nightly guided tours to a private rookery, running for around an hour with a 500–700m walk. Tours at dusk depart daily except Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve. Book ahead, it’s a popular tour – for a good reason. Remember to only use a dim red-light torch and don’t catch or harass the penguins. Stay calm and quiet to avoid spooking them, and enjoy the show.

East Coast Natureworld 7km north of town is home to Tasmanian devils, kangaroos, quolls, wallabies and reptiles. Try the Devils in the Dark experience for an night tour watching devils feed and socialise up close. The Ultimate Tour offers a private keeper-led experience with feeding encounters for up to four people. Learn about wildlife conservation and rehabilitation efforts and enjoy your new furry friends.

Marine and water experiences

Just offshore from the town’s beloved rocky breakwater bay known as the Gulch, Governor Island Marine Reserve is one of Australia’s better temperate diving locations with kelp covered reefs, sponge gardens and abundant marine life across more than 35 dive sites. Local operators offer guided dives, snorkelling and equipment hire. Freycinet Paddle Boards delivers equipment to wherever you are in Bicheno – from kayaks to snorkelling gear, surfboards, hiking packs, fishing kits and beach accessories. Always check conditions and forecasts before diving or snorkelling. Go with others and let someone know where you’re snorkelling and when you’re planning to be back.

Not a diver? The Bicheno Glass Bottom Boat runs tours from the Gulch, giving non-divers a clear vision of the marine life below without getting wet. You’re also likely to see Australian fur seals soaking up the sun on Alligator Rock. The Gulch also makes a soothing fishing spot, watching boats and birds come and go in the salty sea air.

Waubs Bay is the pick for swimming, a sheltered and central beach patrolled by lifesavers in summer. Redbill Beach on the western side of town is better for surfing and boogie boarding, with more consistent breaks – particularly in autumn and winter.  Stay beach safe: keep an eye out for rips, rocks, strong currents, big waves, algae and jellyfish. If in doubt, don’t go out.

Or immerse yourself in watery relaxation of a different kind with Selkie Wellness, enjoying an ice bath, restorative sauna and soothing house-made pepperberry chai.

Walks, lookouts and natural landscapes

The Bicheno Foreshore starts at Redbill Beach. It’s an easy, flat walk across the recognisable flaming-orange granite rocks that much of Tasmania’s eastern coastline. The foreshore walk passes Waubs Beach and the Gulch to reach Bicheno Blowhole. This natural rock formation carved into granite by thousands of years of waves can shoot water several metres into the air. Expect to get sprayed. Best experienced at high tide or during a decent swell.

Rocking Rock, a naturally balanced granite boulder near the foreshore, is worth a short detour along the trail.

Whalers Lookout is a 10min walk from town with panoramic views showing you the layout of laidback Bicheno, the coastline and ocean. Between May–December, it’s one of the better vantage points on the East Coast Whale Trail, with humpbacks and southern right whales passing through on their annual migration.

Then there’s Diamond Island Nature Reserve, a small rocky islet, home to shorebirds and penguins – drawing the eye whenever you gaze east over the sea. At low tide, a sandbar lets you walk from the Bicheno foreshore to Diamond Island. Time your visit around the tides for island sunbaking, rock hopping and snorkelling.

And the Bicheno History Trail follows interpretive signs through town, tracing the settlement’s past from its origins as a sealing and whaling port. Grab a trail guide at Bicheno Library.

Nearby national parks and day trips

Bicheno is perhaps the best-placed town for two of Tasmania’s most captivating natural areas. Just remember to bring your Parks pass.

Douglas-Apsley National Park starts just 15mins north of Bicheno and rewards anyone who makes the short detour. It's quieter than Freycinet and all the better for it. The star attraction is the Apsley Waterhole – an aquamarine swimming hole tucked into the gorge, reached via a gentle 10min return stroll through open woodland (Grade 1, 1.2km). For more gorge scenery, the full Apsley Gorge loop extends to a 4–5 hour return (7km, Grade 3) rock-hop through the gorge and waterhole. Pack bathers, bring lunch and plan to stay a while in this remote nature realm.

Freycinet National Park is 30mins south of the town. You can’t go past the Wineglass Bay Lookout Walk (around 2.6km return, moderate incline), the full Wineglass Bay Beach Hike (6km return, grade 3), Honeymoon Bay for tranquil swimming and the wheelchair-accessible Cape Tourville Lighthouse circuit for far-reaching coastal views. It’s a full day from Bicheno if you’re doing the beach walk and making stops. There are plenty of top seafood stops, secluded stays and boat and kayak activities in this protected nature area.

Places to eat in Bicheno

Bicheno punches above its weight for a small town. Fresh seafood anchors the dining scene, with cafes, casual restaurants and culinary experiences worth booking ahead.

Seafood

The word “iconic” arguably gets overused these days, but Lobster Shack Tasmania fits the bill. Feast on a menu built around freshly caught southern rock lobster cooked daily on site, plus abalone farmed locally. Throw in some Tassie scallops, calamari, prawns, oysters, fish...and your biggest decision will be what to order first. 7 days 11am–7pm, walk-ins only.

Or drive 25mins south to Freycinet Marine Farm to dine on fresh-caught oysters and mussels. You’ll also find the marine farm’s produce at Fishers of Freycinet, on site at Devil’s Corner Cellar Door (more on that below). A local staple, east-coast oysters are worth tracking down.

Dining and cafes

Governors Bicheno does mornings well: good coffee and food, outdoor dining, dog friendly – and transforms into a burger bar with local beers and wines on Friday and Saturday nights.

Sealife Restaurant and Cafe started its life as an aquarium in 1978. Nowadays, the cafe overlooking Waubs Bay serves breakfast, lunch and dinner with seasonal local produce front and centre. 
For dinner, Le Coq blends French and Mediterranean influences with Tasmanian ingredients — duck à l'orange, Cape Grim steaks, local seafood and other indulgences. It’s worth booking ahead. 

Drink and produce

Start at Waubs Harbour Distillery on the seafront, where casks of single malt whisky mature metres from the ocean. Pull up a stool, order a dram and watch the water. Open Tuesday to Saturday.

Work through cool-climate wines from more than 24 east-coast producers at the Farm Shed East Coast Wine Centre on Bicheno’s main street, alongside Tasmanian whiskies and gins. Hit up Bicheno Brewing’s tasting paddles in the same building. Bicheno Beer Co. is the other local brewery – sip their Peggy's Point pale ale, named after the nearby coastal landmark.

Le Gulch sits on the historic waterfront not far from the Lobster Shack. This wine bar pours Apsley Gorge wines, oysters, cheese and seasonal snacks with the ocean as your companion. Open Wednesday to Saturday from 3pm.

Devil's Corner Cellar Door 15mins south of Bicheno is worth the detour: vineyard views, wine tastings, the Hazards mountains on the horizon, pizza, oysters and seafood, and a lookout tower that’s won architecture awards. Open daily 10am to 5pm. On Saturdays, Harvey Vin is the place to be – a trendy cellar door with live music and sunshine.

Let the east-coast flavours come to a romantic location of your choosing, with low tables, chairs, rugs and water views provided through Pop-up Picnic Tasmania and Salty Picnic Co.

Bicheno Food and Wine Festival runs each November, a good time to sample all the east-coast produce in one go.

Tours and experiences in Bicheno

Bicheno is well set up for guided experiences across wildlife, marine life and food and drink.

Penguin and wildlife tours

Bicheno Penguin Tours run nightly from dusk to a private rookery (from $56 adults, $27 children). Devils in the Dark at East Coast Natureworld offers an after-dark devil encounter, keeper-led feeding encounters and the Ultimate Tour private experience.

Marine tours

Bicheno’s Glass Bottom Boat covers Governor Island Marine Reserve’s reefs and seal colonies. Tasmania Dive Adventures’ personalised guided Waubs Bay dive gives you everything you need to glimpse the colourful underwater world at the reserve.

Food, drink and day tours

Book a small group distillery tour and guided whisky tasting at Waubs Harbour Distillery — open Monday–Saturday. Keep an eye out during the Off Season for Waubs’ winter fireside whisky and maritime stories experience.

Devil's Corner Cellar Door runs several distinct Off Season tours worth planning around: from oyster shucking in the back of a ute to lunch underground in the Devil's Den and an evening of woollen throws, damper over the firepit and cured meat and cheese platters.

Oyster Bay Tours at Freycinet Marine Farm puts you in waders to shuck shellfish in the crisp Swanport Estuary waters and sip local Riesling on the riverbank. Prefer someone else to sort the itinerary? The Long Lunch Wine Tour Co departs from Bicheno and Coles Bay, covering four cellar doors including Freycinet Vineyard, Milton and Craigie Knowe with a Tasmanian cheese platter and door-to-door service included. A full day, done properly.

If you need more inspo, check out our pre-built Bicheno itineraries; follow them to a tee or customise your own with the Trip Planner:

• 3 days around Swansea and Bicheno
• 1 day on the east coast in winter
• 3 winter days in Buckland and Bicheno