ST MARYS

St Marys is a heritage hinterland town surrounded by natural beauty, a short drive from the east coast beaches.

At 600m above sea level, St Marys is embraced by mountains, rocky escarpments with spectacular scenery and lush cool-temperate forest waiting to be explored.

The nature walks at the dramatic rocky outcrop of St Patricks Head and South Sister Peak have panoramic views of forest, coastline and the ocean. Mathinna Falls is a spectacular four-tier waterfall with an 80m drop, just a 30min return walk to the base from the car park.

St Marys has a collection of heritage buildings on the main street, including a grand old pub and an original railway station converted as a quirky museum. Chat with volunteer staff and explore the museum's eclectic mix of local-history photography, train and mining memorabilia, vintage cameras, matchbox cars, model ships and more. 

And while you're shopping in town, fossick for antiques and handmade arts and crafts, and grab lunch at Purple Possum Wholefoods and Cafe.

Where

St Marys is a 1hr 30min drive (128km) east of Launceston.

Insider tips

• Take a drive through Fingal Valley to the Evercreech Forest Reserve to see the White Knights, the tallest white gums in the world.
• At the tiny settlement of Cornwall, visit the Coalminers’ Heritage Wall, a monument to the hard-working miners of the 1890s who dug a coal mine by hand beneath the Mount Nicholas Range.