St Helens

Overlooking Georges Bay, St Helens is a perfect base to explore the natural beauty of Tasmania’s spectacular north-east coast.

St Helens is the largest town on this stretch of coast and a great place for outdoor adventures of all kinds, with the Bay of Fires, St Helens Point Conservation Area and Binalong Bay in easy reach.

As the island’s game-fishing hub and second largest fishing port, the area is known for deep-sea fish and southern rock lobster, known locally as crayfish or crays. So there's no shortage of excellent seafood to try at local restaurants and fish-punt eateries. 

Head offshore on a game-fishing charter to cruise for marlin, albacore tuna and yellowfin tuna, or hire a boat and fish in the bay. Or simply drop a line off a jetty. 

Divers appreciate the area’s marine life from another perspective, exploring underwater caves and abundant sea life.

For adventures on two wheels, St Helens Mountain Bike Trails spans some of the most scenic mountain-bike tracks in the world. Among them is the Bay of Fires trail, an epic 42km wilderness trail ride from mountain to sea threading through cool-temperate forests to the white sand of the Bay of Fires.

Where

St Helens is a 2hr drive (163km) east of Launceston.

Insider tips

• Take a 1hr return walk from St Helens Point Conservation Area to remote and beautiful Beerbarrel Beach.
• Fossick for gemstones on a serene pedal-powered kayak tour of nearby Ansons Bay with Secret River Tours.