Tasmania… Beach? No!!
May 11th, 2010 | 
Author: Isn’t this site about Tasmania? Beach – you’re kidding, right?
Tasmania? Beach? In the same sentence? Yep, this site is all about Tassie. But nope, we’re not kidding. And this is one of the tip top secrets safeguarded by the locals: there’s great beaches!
Friendly Beaches Freycinet Tasmania (Beach Photo by Dan Fellow)
They don’t want you to know, so you must promise not to tell… but there is an astonishing assortment of seaside villages – all with bucket loads of charm, pure sand and the most crystal-like water you could possibly imagine. We were surprised (shocked, even!) when we managed to discover Tasmania had these little gems.
So, considering the most frequent inquiries to the Think Tasmania website, being:
- top coastal spot in Tasmania
- beach accessible from accommodation
- a unique quality that sets it apart
here’s our top three “bays”…
Tasmania: Beach # 1: Opossum Bay
This quaint village sits at the tip of South Arm Peninsula in southern Tasmania and faces back towards Hobart across the River Derwent. A favourite with locals, especially families with young children, the waters are shallow, calm and comparatively warmer than open ocean.
Tasmania: Beach for safe swimming... O'Possum Bay
An eclectic mix of houses ranging from weekender shacks to upmarket mansions rest along the foreshore, offering the owners the ultimate view across the water to the city lights. During the cruise season (October to April), ships glide into the estuary headed for their stopover in Hobart, Tasmania.
Tasmania: beach of many houses: O'Possum Bay
Beach visitors to O’Possum Bay can boast dolphin, seal and penguin sightings, while from the jetty fishermen catch a feast of seafood: octopus, squid and Flathead amongst the Tasmanian menu. Perfect with a glass of wine?
Tasmania: Beach # 2: Wineglass Bay
While on a family touring holiday from Hobart towards the north east of Tasmania, we had a stop-over at the township of Coles Bay, and did the hike up to the viewing platform over Wineglass Bay in the Freycinet National Park.
Wineglass Bay (Tasmania Beach - Photo by Dan Fellow)
We were a little unlucky with the weather on the day, with intermittent showers affecting the spectacular views, but it was still worthwhile. The kids found the uphill climb a “walk in the park” while I came to resent the many, many steps. However, on the way down, we met a high-school group who were hiking up to the viewing platform and then continuing on down to the beach. They had huge camping packs and enthusiasm to match, and I recognized the experience was worth the damp trudge.
Since our trip, I have spoken to others who rate this an easy hike, so maybe I just need more practice. And I would return anyway just for the friendly local wildlife – a wallaby sat alongside our group as if joining us for lunch!
Freycinet Wallaby, Wineglass Bay
There’s no denying the dramatic scenery on the east coast stretch of the island – out towards the Tasman Sea from nearby Swansea and Bicheno. Simply breathtaking, and by the time we reached St Helens on our tour we did wonder if there was anything that could beat it, really.
And then we took a casual little drive from our motel room overlooking the marina, to…
Tasmania: Beach # 3: Binalong Bay
The much revered Lonely Planet Guide named this Bay of Fires coastline as “the hottest travel destination for 2009”. That’s in the whole world! Apart from the tourism department, the locals are not happy with this blatant promotion showing complete disregard for their hush-hush, in-house seaside beauty.
Bay of Fires Beach (Photo by Tasmanian Photo Guy, Dan Fellow)
We read the review not long after we had been there, but the four of us had already taken a vote and unanimously agreed that Binalong Bay, with its sparkling water and whiter than white sand was the best of any beaches we had ever seen.
The boys found the whole panorama too tempting to resist, and despite having no bathers (!) or towels, went for a quick dip. Quite unusual for early May, but on this day, the Tasmanian weather proved unbelievably perfect for just such spontaneity.
With not another soul in sight, it could have been a deserted tropical island, instead of a national park and Tourism Tasmania icon.
Taking a dip at the beach in Tasmania!
Tasmania: beach shacks, fishing, surfing, sailing:
the list of coastal highlights is endless.
But one thing is certain… the phrase “Life is a Beach”
must have been coined by a Tasmanian!!
Map: Tasmania Beach…
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