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Savour wide skies and fresh sea air on Tasmania’s east coast.

The island’s sunny eastern coastline is a patchwork of laidback holiday towns, bushy national parks and white-sand beaches. With its winding roads and invigorating ocean breezes, the east coast is an ideal place for a road trip, packed with plenty of salt-drenched stops and seaside stays along the way.

From freshly harvested seafood to serene coastal paddles and glamping tents tucked among the dunes, here are 13 salt-inspired east-coast experiences.

White beaches and blue water next to coastal bushland on a sunny day.

1. Taste the ocean

Relishing the slippery saltiness of a fresh oyster is an east coast essential. Take the turn-off to Dolphin Sands and follow the skinny spit of land to Melshell Oyster Shack, where briny bivalves are proffered from the window of a retro caravan. Devour directly or on the nearby shoreline.

Fresh oysters presented in a tray and topped with freshly sliced lemons and salt.
Melshell Oyster Shack
Tourism Australia

2. Season with salt

It doesn’t get much saltier than touring a sea-salt factory. On the coast near Little Swanport, Tasman Sea Salt’s The Salt Sommelier delves into the solar and thermal energy harvesting process, explores how salt impacts the flavour of food, and wraps up with salt tastings paired with local produce.

A hand sprinkles salt onto a cooked lobster tail sitting on a wood shopping block.
Tasman Sea Salt
Jasper Da Seymour

3. Soak, swim, snorkel

Clamber across orange-flecked granite boulders, bob in rockpools and jump through waves in the larapuna / Bay of Fires area. Plunge into the east coast’s clear waters: lay back and float, or grab a snorkel and goggles and drift across sheltered bays, spotting fish darting and crabs scuttling among seaweed.

A woman stands on a sand bar where gentle waves of light blue water converge on white sands.
Jeanneret Beach, larapuna / Bay of Fires area
She Who Explores

4. Find hygge by the beach

Comfort and contentment are king at Still at Freycinet, a private Danish-inspired retreat overlooking Sandpiper Beach. Steep in the sauna, comb along the quiet shore, soak in a hot bath, gather around the firepit, or recline on a cosy couch with a view. Sleeping up to 10 people, this is an idyllic spot to gather your crew.

A middle-aged couple relax in a brightly-lit lounge room near the coast. A man sits on a large leather couch reading a book and a woman sits on the floor.
Still at Freycinet
Harrison Candlin - Vagary

5. Fuel your maritime spirit

Sip maritime single-malt at Waubs Harbour Distillery, matured just metres from the ocean on Bicheno’s windswept waterfront. Here, the salty air permeates and the stable ocean climate shapes the whisky’s maturation. Tour the restored distillery – a converted oyster hatchery – followed by a guided tasting overlooking the water.

A high-ceiling industrial warehouse converted into a distillery with large copper stills and windows.
Waubs Harbour Distillery
Jessie Brinkman Evans

6. Picnic on the sand

Perfect day for dining alfresco? Let Pop-up Picnic Tasmania do the prep work, then indulge in a feast of east-coast treats. Recline on a blanket among sheltered dunes, on a patch of sparkling white sand, or on the shore of a peaceful bay. Nibble cheese and fruit, and savour local wine, content and idle in coastal bliss.

A picnic rug with two chairs sit under a large white umbrella on a white sand beach.
Pop-up Picnic Tasmania
Tourism Australia

7. Sip wine with ocean views

The East Coast Wine Region is a destination in its own right, home to a smattering of wineries with endless coastal vistas and favoured for its cool-climate pinot noir. Head for Boomer Creek Vineyard cellar door at Little Swanport for a laidback afternoon of tastings, grazing platters and views across the water.

A person sits in a large, grey beanbag near small wooden tables with wine and food.
Boomer Creek Vineyard
Big Shed Studios

8. Retreat to the shoreline

Slow down and soak it all in at Numie, tucked among bushland at Freycinet. Choose off-grid glamping or up your self-care at the private waterfront retreat, complete with spa, sauna and pizza oven. Glamping tents are within reach of the bay, with private dining pods and views stretching across to the Hazards mountains.

A group of people sit around a fire and talk with a small table with a clear roof shelter nearby.
Numie
Renee Thurston

9. Sink into coastal luxury

Further along the peninsula, enmeshed within the natural beauty of Freycinet National Park, are Freycinet Lodge’s Coastal Pavilions. Opt for a bay view or settle in among the trees and relax on the deck. Treat yourself to a massage or melt into the outdoor tub after a day exploring the national park’s walking tracks.

A woman lies on a large outdoor trestle table and has a back massage.
Freycinet Coastal Pavilions
Harrison Candlin - Vagary

10. Glide across the bay

Drift along the Freycinet Peninsula’s rocky shores and secluded coves on a Freycinet Adventures sea kayaking tour. Feel the salty air on your face, the breeze in your hair and the water lapping at the boat as you paddle beneath the granite peaks of the Hazards on a half-day aquatic adventure.

Yellow canoes round red rocks in light blue waters with mountains in the background on a clear sunny day.
Freycinet Adventures
Tourism Australia

11. Glamp by the seaside

Get set for a serene stay at Little Beach Co Glamping near Chain of Lagoons, where bell tents are dotted through the coastal vegetation. Appreciate the shared dining space and fire pit, expansive ocean views, and the owners’ strong sustainability ethos and commitment to catering to people of all abilities.

A group of people wearing beanies gather around a campfire wearing beanies and chatting.
Little Beach Co. Glamping
Dearna Bond

12. Cruise to outer islands

Be whisked across azure waters to Maria Island National Park with Maria Island Cruises. Explore the rugged coastline then venture ashore, where wombats and Forester kangaroos graze grassy slopes. Wander the intriguing UNESCO World Heritage-listed remains of Darlington Probation Station and gain insight into the island’s convict past.

Large concrete walls of a factory ruin stand above a gravel path around a bay.
Maria Island Cruises
Tourism Australia

13. Relax by a rivulet

Perched among grassy saltmarsh on the edge of Denison Rivulet, the pared-back Sea Stacks – Shacks of the Denison are thoughtfully designed havens that frame the natural landscape. Filled with natural timber, stone, copper and brass, the three self-contained dwellings overlook the estuary and beyond, and are a peaceful place to while away the day.

A modern interior with minimalist furniture looking out over grassland through a large floor to ceiling window.
Sea Stacks
Adam Gibson

East coast FAQs

What can you do on the east coast of Tasmania?

Tasmania’s east coast is a holidaymakers’ haven, peppered with classic seaside towns and peaceful hinterland villages. Jump through waves or relax on the beach. Munch on crisp fish and chips or slurp down oysters. Meander along national park trails or cool off in a waterhole. Follow the East Coast Wine Trail or pick a seat with a view and stay awhile.

What is the weather like on the east coast of Tasmania?

The east coast has a reputation for being sunny, even when the rest of the state is not. This may not always be true, but the region is certainly drier and warmer than Tasmania’s damp west coast, where cool-temperate rainforest flourishes. Tasmania has four distinct seasons: warm summer days prevail from December to February, while winter runs from May through August. The weather is notoriously changeable, so it’s best to come prepared with warm and waterproof layers, sunscreen and a hat.

Where can you drink wine on the east coast of Tasmania?

The east coast is one of Tasmania’s major wine regions, with a constellation of cellar doors dotted along the coastal highway, many offering show-stopping ocean views. Follow the East Coast Wine Trail from Triabunna in the south to St Helens in the north to sample cool-climate pinot noir and an array of refreshing whites, best enjoyed with a grazing platter or fresh local seafood.

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