Tour Routes

East Coast

📍 Great Eastern Dr, Swansea TAS 7190, Australia

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Quick Facts

Location: Australia
Category: Tour Routes
Duration: 一天
Ticket Price: The road is free; national parks require a pass and individual sights and activities charge separately
Address: Great Eastern Dr, Swansea TAS 7190, Australia
Coordinates: -41.7500, 148.3000

Introduction

The East Coast route — the Great Eastern Drive — is one of Tasmania's classic road trips, running roughly 220 kilometres north from Orford to St Helens. It links Freycinet National Park and Wineglass Bay, the little penguin colony at Bicheno, the orange-pink granite and white sand of the Bay of Fires, and several coastal towns known for oysters and berries. The road is in good condition with frequent stops, so it works either as a leisurely two- or three-day run or as the eastern approach from Hobart to Launceston. The sea is at its clearest in summer, and autumn brings colour to the orchards and vineyards — this is the most concentrated stretch of coastal scenery in the state.

✨ Highlights

Wineglass Bay and Freycinet

Climb to the Wineglass Bay lookout over the crescent of white sand, then go deeper into Freycinet's granite peaks and bays.

The orange rocks of the Bay of Fires

In the north, granite boulders covered in orange lichen meet white sand — the most vivid stretch of the east coast.

Coastal towns and oysters

Swansea, Bicheno and others are known for oysters, berries and seafood — good places to stop, eat and resupply.

Penguins and coastal walks

Little penguins come ashore at dusk around Bicheno, and numerous short coastal walks start right off the road.

🛈 Practical Info

→Time needed：Two to three days at a relaxed pace; doable in one long day

→Best season：Summer (December–February) for the clearest water; spring and autumn for fewer people and orchard colour

→Gear：The coast is windy with strong UV — bring sun protection, a windproof layer and swimwear if activities require it

→Ticket Information：The road is free; national parks require a pass and individual sights and activities charge separately

→Transportation：Self-drive, joining via Orford from Hobart or St Helens from Launceston

💡 Tips

• Accommodation along the route books out in peak season (December–February) — reserve early.

• National parks require a pass, available at entrances or visitor centres.

• Fuel stops are widely spaced — fill up whenever you see a station.

• UV is strong on this coast; wear sunscreen even when it is cloudy.

FAQ

How much is the admission for East Coast?

The road is free; national parks require a pass and individual sights and activities charge separately

Any practical tips for visiting East Coast?

Accommodation along the route books out in peak season (December–February) — reserve early. National parks require a pass, available at entrances or visitor centres.