ST HELENS - TASMANIA - 7216

Fishing boats in the harbour at St Helens.		 Population: 3,500,  
Elevation: 10m
Latitude: -41.2100
Longitude: 148.1500
Location:   270km north east of Hobart
Highway: Tasman Hwy A3 
Nearest Major Town: Launceston
Nearest Airport: St Helens
Touring Area: East Coast
Coastal resort town in north-east Tasmania. Beaches, national parks.

The economy of St Helens, the largest town on the east coast, is based on fishing, timber and tourism. It's one of Tasmania's busiest fishing ports, especially for crayfish, scalefish and abalone, and visitors can charter boats for game fishing - or simply take a scenic cruise. This is good base for exploring the north-east or heading southwards and inland to the fertile Fingal Valley.
It is also the closest location to Binalong Bay and the Bay of Fires. The Bay of Fires was nominated as one of the best destinations of its type in the world in 2010 and is a must to visit.
What to See and Do:
Study records and memorabilia in the St Helens History Room, fish locally or out to sea, dive, laze on the white sands of Binalong Bay, Sloop Rock and Swimcart Beach, look for shells and wildflowers, go four wheel driving at Peron Dunes, Mt Pearson State Forest or Argonaut Rd., birdwatch at estuaries and lagoons and visit St Columba Falls (39kms west) and Mt William National Park including Eddystone Lighthouse.
St Helens is also on the 'Trail of the Tin Dragon', which follows the mining of tin by mainly Chinese immigrants and follows the highway across the top from roughly Scottsdale to St Helens. You can pick up information on the trail from information centres along the way.
NB There is a giant 17m long concrete rendered 'dragon' sculpture across the front of the Visitor Centre in St Helens. I took a photo of this in 2013 and it is now part of Australia's catalogue of Big Things which I began on-line in 1992 and has now grown to hundreds of 'things' across the country.
Pete Wilkins

  • Bay of Fires National Park
  • Mt William National Park
  • The Eddystone Light
  • Weldborough Pass
  • The Blue Tier
  • Humbug Point State Recreation Area
  • St Columba Falls National Park
    • ACCOMMODATION & SERVICES:
    Select type, then click the button below for Accommodation
    Category: 
    INFORMATION CENTRE:
    St Helens Visitor Information Centre
    St Helens. Tasmania 7216
    Ph: 03 6376 1744,
    Email: sthelensvic@bodc.tas.gov.au
    WWW: www.bodc.tas.gov.au

    Wilkins Tourist Maps produce a free map distributed locally rhrough Information Centres and other outlets.

    HOW TO GET THERE:
  • By car along the Tasman Hwy.
  • Light Plane
  • Coach
    Coach Operators
    Redline: Ph: 1300 360 000
    Greyhound Pioneer: 132 030

    •   © Copyright Peter W. Wilkins